The Memory Cupboard: A Thanksgiving Story

by Charlotte Herman, Ben F. Stahl (Illustrator)

For Katie, nothing compares to Thanksgiving at Grandma's. There are the aunts and uncles, whom Katie loves to see each year. But a cherished object is broken at dinner, and Katie blames herself for spoiling the day.

Genres: Thanksgiving, Picture Books, Family, Childrens, Holiday, Realistic Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published August 28, 2003

About the author

Charlotte Herman is the author of many beloved books for children, including the acclaimed Millie Cooper series and The House on Walenska Street. Like Dorrie, Charlotte possesses a lifelong love of family, chocolate malteds, and hot fudge sundaes. She makes her home outside of Chicago.

Reviews

[Manybooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

With a wonderful, important message that people, that family, that loving relationships are more important than objects, than things (and while this might, indeed, be a bit of a cliché, it is still always and forever worth repeating), Charlotte Herman's The Memory Cupboard actually made me tear up more than once while reading. As someone who has always been rather clumsy (and was in my late 40s diagnosed with non verbal learning disabilities and dyspraxia), I was often as a child and even as a teenager in absolute dread of family celebrations, as unlike the little girl in the story (whose grandmother believes that people and family are more important than objects and understands that objects do get broken), if I spilled something, if I dropped a fork, or worse, broke a plate, all hell would often break loose (with accusations, condemnation etc.).

And I just love the whole concept of a "memory cupboard" (of keeping one's treasured memories in a special place, even once they become worn out or get broken in some way), although I could rather well imagine that my own family (especially my father) would likely majorly frown at this, as the idea of keeping anything that is no longer of use or is no longer pristine would probably be seen as potential and problematic hoarding.

Ben F. Stahl's accompanying illustrations are magical and expressive (the facial expressions in particular tug at your heart), and while on their own, they would probably be a bit too bold and bright for my personal tastes, combined with Charlotte Herman's sweet narrative, they are a perfect match, complementing, but also at times expanding on the text. Highly recommended, and not just for children (and while there is a lot of narrative present, I actually think that The Memory Cupboard could even be used with younger children, if one were reading the text aloud).

Now The Memory Cupboard was chosen as one of our November 2015 group reads (about Thanksgiving) in the Children's Literature Group Picture Book Club, and since I could not get the book at the library and ILL often takes too long, I downloaded the Kindle version on my IPad. And I would most certainly NOT IN ANY WAY RECOMMEND reading the Kindle edition. The font size of the text is absolutely tiny (so tiny that even with my reading glasses, I was having serious comprehension and legibility issues), and the illustrations seem a bit fuzzy and out of focus at times.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, the basic premise is rather predictable/cliche ("people are more important than things") but darn it if I wasn't sucked into the sweet granddaughter/grandmother moments and I absolutely love-love-love the idea of the Memory Cupboard. Can't say more without giving the story away.

The book is illustrated by Ben Stahl, known by fans of LM Montgomery for his illustrations of the Bantam paperback editions in the '90s. (So I especially enjoyed the illustrations here!)

So, this is maybe only a four star book, but I really loved the Ben Stahl aspect and the memory cupboard idea so I bumped it to five stars ;-)

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Katie and her parents travel for two days by train to get to her grandparents' house for Thanksgiving, the young girl is excited to see her extended family, and to visit with her beloved Grandma. But then an accident at dinner - Katie breaks the antique gravy boat given to Grandma by her own mother, and her Uncle Eddie, when they were children - casts a pall over the occasion. Can Grandma, by sharing her memory cupboard, with all its damaged treasures, show Katie that "people are more important than things...?"

A poignant tale with a heartfelt message about what is truly important, one that had me tearing up as I read it, The Memory Cupboard is one holiday story that I recommend! Children from families with a strong Thanksgiving tradition, in particular, will enjoy this tale of a girl and her grandmother. The artwork by Ben F. Stahl - who illustrated another holiday tale, The St. Patrick's Day Shillelagh , that I enjoyed - was expressive and appealing. I don't tend to read a lot of Thanksgiving titles (compared to Halloween or Christmas, for instance), but I'm glad I gave this one a chance! Recommended to anyone looking for warm family stories for the Thanksgiving season.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This title has been mentioned several times in the Children's Books group, and now I've joined a library in the next county over and thus have been able to finally read it (and some others that my local library system doesn't own). Worth the wait. I agree with all the other reviewers. For some reason my favorite page is when the girl rings the bell in the living room, "Turkey time!" But apparently the baby is the only other child in this whole family? Does that mean Katie doesn't have to sit at the card table, the kids' table? Lucky girl....

[Luisa Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story about a broken gravy boat and the reminder that it's not things, but people, that matter.

Ages: 4 - 9

Cleanliness: nothing to note.

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[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

With a lovely messge about cherishing memories and loved ones and not things, this is a terrific book to read during the holiday season, especially at Thanksgiving. Lovely acrylic painting illustrations complement the story nicely. We really enjoyed reading this story together, even if we read it a couple of weeks after Thanksgiving.

This book was featured as one of the selections for the November 2015: Thanksgiving discussion for the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a beautiful story of a warm and loving relationship between a grandma and her granddaughter! Clearly, this grandma recognizes that accidents happen and that people and relationships are more important than things. It made me nostalgic for holidays spent with my own grandma and grandpa.

This would make a great story to read during a personal narrative unit...students could think about objects they would put in their memory cupboard and could write the stories that are related to each object.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very sweet story, featuring a relationship between grandmother and granddaughter, with Grandmother comforting and reassuring Katie after Katie has accidentally dropped and broken a treasured gray boat. Grandmother shows Katie the cupboard where she collects broken items; kept because they bring back certain memories. The acrylic paintings are lovely and realistic and remind me of Ted Rand's artwork.

[SamZ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet tale about a grandmother and granddaughter turning an unfortunate accident into a wonderful lesson that people are more important than things.

[Hanna Storey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Katie, the main character, enjoys any time that she can get at Grandma's house. The book is based around her time spent at her Grandma's during Thanksgiving. Her entire family is present who she loves to see during this special time of year. However, Thanksgiving has a bump in the road when a cherished object is broken at dinner and Katie blames herself for it.
The theme of cherished memories is present throughout as Katie is making a memory and then is shown all of her Grandma's memories that she cherishes.
Personally, I related to this book as it was a mirror into my own life. However, I understand that it would be a window for a large majority of readers.
I recommend this book around Thanksgiving time in order to talk about family traditions in the classroom as well as what family looks like around holidays.

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I randomly picked this book up from the library with a handful of other Thanksgiving books. When I got home, the title and cover of this book drew me in and I decided to read this book first.

I loved this endearing story of a granddaughter who accidentally broke the beloved gravy boat of her grandmother while trying to help clean up the Thanksgiving meal. This gravy boat had been lovingly purchased by the granddaughters mother and uncle many years before. I won’t give away the rest, but this story is a reminder that people are far more important then things. I love this sweet grandmother and the fact that she cherishes her granddaughter!

This is a delightful book to read at Thanksgiving for young and old.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was choked up reading this. A little girl travels to her grandmas house for Thanksgiving. It’s such a cozy, happy scene with an uncle waiting to greet her and a porch full of family, all so happy to see her. She hears the sweet story of how her grandma came to get her gravy boat many years before. While trying to help clean up, the girl breaks the gravy boat. Her grandma then takes her to a special cupboard where she keeps all her broken things that hold special memories. She shares some memories then tells her granddaughter that the gravy boat will now serve as a memory of how she got it, as well as when she showed her granddaughter her memory cupboard.

It’s such a beautiful, cozy book. Perfect for Thanksgiving.

[Charlotte S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Katie is so excited! She's going to her grandma's house for Thanksgiving! When the family is eating, Grandma tells Katie all about how her daughter got her a beautiful gravy boat. Pretty soon, it’s time to clean the table so dessert could be served. Katie goes to help but ends up dropping the gravy boat on the floor! Grandma isn't cross, though. She takes Katie somewhere very special. Find out where by reading this book! This is a really great, heartwarming story! It celebrates family and Thanksgiving wonderfully! Follow @bronteandwilder on Instagram for fun book recommendations!

[Lisa Mcbroom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Katie always looks forward to going to Grandma's for Thanksgiving to visit all her relatives. They are all enjoying dinner when Grandma tells the history of the gravy boat. A precious gift from Katie's mother and her Uncle Eddie. Katie trying to help breaks the gravy dish and it is shattered. Katie is broken hearted until Grandma takes her tothe attic and their lies a memory cupboard of broken things.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too long for a good group read aloud, this is a sweet story about a young girl who accidentally breaks her grandma's favorite gravy boat, the one given to her years ago by her children when they were young. The girl is broken-hearted, but Grandma teaches her that people and memories, not things are what really matter.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice family story about an item being broken during Thanksgiving dinner and the grandmother sharing something special about broken items with her grandddaughter. elementary and up for length

[Shari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Endearing story of family, love and the memories we treasure. Wonderful message of how people are always more important than things.

[Danette · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Sometimes, no matter how careful we are, things we're fond of get broken. But things are just things. People are more important, especially granddaughters."

[Jamie Chaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a grandmotherly book. I loved it. I may have shed a tear or two

[Becky Pendleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great beautiful book. So heartwarming made me cry.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Katie and her family travel miles across the country to visit her grandmother on Thanksgiving Day. She loves the warmth and familial bond of her extended family. As they sit down to the feast, Katie is entranced by the blue and white gravy boat that graces her grandmother's Thanksgiving table. While clearing away the dishes and left-overs after dinner, Katie accidently drops the gravy boat and is instantly in tears. Grandmother leads her by the hand and takes her to a special room that holds The Memory Cupboard. Inside this cupboard of long-ago, lost memories that have been chipped or broken, yet still illicit a fond memory, Katie and Grandmother share a lesson about people and family. Grandmother has some secrets to tell Katie, but the most important message is that people come before things and it is the memories and times spent together that are most important.

Used for "We Are Thankful" Storytime-November, 2010.

[Tracy · Rating 2 out of 5]

CIP Summay: "Katie breaks a gravy boat at Thanksgiving dinner, her grandmother shows her that love is more important than objects."

The theme of this story is that people are more important than things. This is especially important to recognize around Thanksgiving. The author is a resident of Lincolnwood and has come to our school to read and sign books. The story shows the traditions of one family at Thanksgiving and could lead into discussions of other family traditions with your students. We are discussing family traditions in third grade, and this would be a book that could be read aloud at this time.

[Rosie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Charlotte Herman and Illustrator Ben F. Stahl presents this lovely story called "The Memory Cupboard. A Thanksgiving Story."
I picked this copy up at the library. I knew it would be a great one and I was right!
The sweet sentiment this story displays, along with beautiful drawings, will give children and adults a delightful read.
I highly recommend this book for all families and classrooms.

[Miri · Rating 3 out of 5]

At grandma's for Thanksgiving, Katie accidentally breaks the gravy boat her mother and uncle had bought for grandma when they were kids, she feels terrible, until grandma shows Katie a cupboard full of broken things, her memory cupboard, where every broken items holds a precious memory and now it will hold the gravy boat too.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet Thanksgiving story about a little girl who accidentally drops and breaks one of her grandmother's treasures, and how her grandmother beautifully shows her that it is ok.

My children and I all enjoyed it.

[Pei · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really sweet story that rich with family values, togetherness, tradition and love. I really like the message at the end "Sometimes, no matter how careful we are, things we're fond of get broken. But things are just things. People are more important."

[Skylar Burris · Rating 2 out of 5]

Boring.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

It made me cry. The message was sweet and I loved the illustrations. I've read few Thanksgiving books I've really loved - well, actually I can't think of any. Now I have one.

[Deanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this story, it brings up memories for me. It helps explain the need we have for keeping things for best and not using them as well as explaining things that bring joy to us, even though odd.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

We all loved this book. It is the perfect book for a grandmother to have and to read to grandchildren.