A Thanksgiving Wish

by Michael J. Rosen, John Thompson (Illustrator)

After her grandmother Bubbe's death, Amanda is worried that Thanksgiving will never be the same. But when she recalls Bubbe's favorite custom -- having her grandchildren make wishes on wishbones she had saved up throughout the year -- Amanda and her family discover the power and comfort embedded in tradition.

Genres: Thanksgiving, Picture Books, Childrens, Holiday

30 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1999

About the author

Rosen's Website should provide all this and more. It's http://www.fidosopher.com.
Nonetheless: Michael J. Rosen is an American author and illustrator with over 120 books of fiction, nonfiction, humor, picture books, poetry, and more. With a strong interest in nature and animals, reflecting his animal behavior degree from Ohio State University, Rosen resides within a peaceful crease of Central Ohio with his pack of animal companions that include 2 small koi ponds he helped build on the 100 acres he shares in the foothills of the Ohio Appalachians. An avid dog lover, he was inspired by Chant, his newest Australian stumpy-tail cattle dog, which led to the creation of his newest book of fiction, The Tale of Rescue, which will be released in October 2015. With an MFA in poetry from Columbia University, Rosen also showcases his skills and talents in other projects such as The Maine Coon’s Haiku: And Other Poems for Cat Lovers (2015).

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every Thanksgiving, Amanda and her entire extended family descend on her Bubbe's house, where they enjoy a feast like no other, prepared over the course of an entire month. Bubbe also prepares a series of wishbones for each of her grandchildren, allowing them the opportunity to make a wish on each night they are visiting with her. This year however, Bubbe is gone, and Amanda and her family must carry on without the family matriarch. Hosting her cousins and aunts and uncles at their new house, Amanda's family attempts to recreate Bubbe's fabulous Thanksgiving dinner, only to find themselves in the dark when the power goes out. Then their new neighbor Mrs. Yee arrives, and with the help of some of the other neighbors, Amanda and her family manage to have Thanksgiving after all. Amanda even gets to make a Thanksgiving wish, discovering in the process what it was that Bubbe herself wished for, every time they snapped the wishbone...

The second holiday picture-book I have read from author Michael J. Rosen - the first being his lovely Hanukkah title, Our Eight Nights of Hanukkah - A Thanksgiving Wish offers a poignant, heartfelt examination of one Jewish American family's Thanksgiving traditions, and how that family copes, when the grandmother around whom the entire celebration revolves passes away. Amanda's sense of loss, her feeling of being lost without Bubbe, is captured in the text, as is the particular difficulties that holidays pose, to those facing the death of a loved one. I appreciated the father's words here: "You never stop missing someone, Mandi...You sort of forget how much you miss them until something - like Thanksgiving - reminds you again" - as they are so true! The accompanying artwork from illustrator John Thompson, which looks like it was done in oil paint, captures each scene beautifully, depicting a family at work together in the kitchen, or sitting around a table filled with candlelight. This one is very text heavy for a picture-book - it's almost more an illustrated short story - so I would recommend it to those on the older side of the picture-book audience (perhaps six and up?), and particularly, I would recommend it to anyone looking for children's Thanksgiving stories which address loss, and the first celebration without a grandparent or other loved one.

[Mortisha Cassavetes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a heart touching story that I recently read to the kids. The story follows young Amanda as she remembers her grandmother and how she would start at the first of the month making all the food for the dinner and memories of how her grandmother would save back wishbones for all the kids to have one for each night the spent with her before the holiday. After Amanda's grandmother, Bubbe, dies she is sad because Thanksgiving will never be the same. I don't want to go into the story more as to not spoil it but I highly recommend this book and the paintings are amazing.

[Mary Louise Sanchez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations for this touching story.

[Hapzydeco · Rating 4 out of 5]

An ideal read for the Thanksgiving holiday. But be prepared to have your eyes become moist.

[Melissa Rodacy Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book. So touching. I used it as a read aloud for my kids this year, and had to stop several times to cry and tell them memories of holidays with my grandmother during the holidays. I think everyone needs a copy of this book.

[Bob Peterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sentimental remembrance of traditions and a family members’ past during this holiday.

[Nichole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so sweet. I teared up reading it.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful paintings and a tender story of tradition, family, and Thanksgiving wishes.

[Dolly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a heart-wrenching story about an adoring Grandmother who lovingly prepares an enormous Thanksgiving dinner for her family each year and saves the wishbones from all her poultry throughout the year to make wishes with each of her grandchildren. After she dies, the family tries to recreate her fantastic meal, with mixed results and almost disasterous obstacles along the way. This is a story that tugs on your heartstrings and brings a lump to your throat as you read it, so it's probably best to read in private. Our girls looked in amazement as I choked back the tears. It's a bit long and deals with the death of a loved one, so it's probably better to read it with older children. The paintings that accompany the story are fantastic.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Back in 1999 The Blue Sky Press (an imprint of Scholastic Inc.) released Thanksgiving Wish written by Michael J. Rosen with paintings by John Thompson. In collaboration the two bring readers a heartbreaking and heartwarming book based upon tradition, family and making memories. You truly wish you could talk to both of them to see how the narrative and artwork were created. Is this story based upon a real life experience? Who served as models for the people in the pictures?


My recommendation on this older title: http://bit.ly/1yn4lic

[Rebekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prepare to cry!
Every year, Bubbe prepares Thanksgiving dinner for her family and friends and every year, Bubbe shares wishbones with her grandchildren.
The year after Bubbe dies, her family attempts to recreate Bubbe's Thanksgiving dinner. Even though things don't all turn out perfectly, the family shares memories and stories and learn Bubbe's secret wishbone wish.

[Polly · Rating 3 out of 5]

WARNING: this is a long one, so don't put it at our preschoolers bedside table

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

bubbi use to take care of thanksgiving making special memmories with her grandchildren the thanksgiving after she passed on is the hardest,

[Jennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great thanksgiving book! Features a Jewish family.

[Emily Mellow · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book never fails to make me cry, which my children love. It's so sad and sweet. We read it every year.

[Teri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally!!! A 5 star thanksgiving book--one that talks about family and tradition. Make sure to have a Kleenex.

[Greta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations, beautiful story. I had to try and keep myself together near the end as I read to the kids. Four and a half stars.