The Perfect Thanksgiving

by Eileen Spinelli, JoAnn Adinolfi (Illustrations)

" Our smoke alarm is wailing.
Our turkey, burnt as toast.
Dad spills the gravy down his shirt-
a less-than-perfect host".

Enter two families who couldn't be more opposite. Family one seems just perfect-with a plump golden turkey, gorgeous whipped cream swirls atop their pie, and lace napkins on the table. Family two, on the other hand, seems far from it! The turkey burns, the Jell-O wiggles and jiggles right to the floor, and Dad's shirt serves as napkin. What could these two very different families possibly have in common?

Full of whimsy, good spirit, and certainly familial love, this laugh-aloud picture book is sure to add spice to any Thanksgiving feast.

Genres: Thanksgiving, Picture Books, Holiday, Childrens, Storytime, Family, Humor

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2003

About the author

Eileen Spinelli is an award-winning children's book author from southeastern Pennsylvania. She has written over 100 picture books and novels for children. Her husband is Jerry Spinelli, who also writes books for children.

Reviews

[Pam · Rating 2 out of 5]

While the intention of this story was good, this book fell flat for me. The story line moves back and forth between Abigail Archer's family and the family of the main character, a young girl narrating the story. The chaotic illustrations makes the transitions in the story all the more difficult to follow. While the story has a great ending, I just can't recommend this book.

[Rykki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute little read. It reminds me of one of Shakespeare's old poems about the lover that he has nothing but complaints for, but he loves her none the less. That somehow makes it all the more sweet in the end.

The little girl in the story is complaining about how her friend Abigail Archer has the perfect family with everything just right. They have the perfect Thanksgiving, and it comes across as though she thinks her family is just horrible in comparison. She wishes she had that perfect Thanksgiving too, something she could never have because her family is anything but perfect. Actually, it sounds like the most miserable Thanksgiving she could imagine.

In the end the story is left with a wonderful message. Sure, perfect families are great, but in the end, that's not what matters. The only thing that matters in the end is love, which is something both families definitely have.

This story reminded me a lot of how I felt on the holidays as a child. At one grandparent's house everything was prim, proper, and perfect. At the other it was casual, loud, and chaotic. I have to secretly admit that I always preferred holidays with the less perfect family. There was less pressure to act and speak in a specific way. I felt more comfortable being me. I know my kids sometimes feel like they're facing the same thing too. Other families seem to have much more desirable holidays than ours, but in the end they always realize that ours can't be beat! They may not always be traditional, but they're certainly enjoyable and filled with love! That's exactly what this story is all about!

[Christine Kallner · Rating 4 out of 5]

My son requested a re-read of this one, which is always a good sign. It's a lovely rhyming book contrasting a "perfect" family with a more laid back "realistic" family, who don't have much in common in the way they celebrate, but they do have in common the things that really matter. Neither side is portrayed as "right" or "wrong," just different which I appreciated.

[Relyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't like the art, but I love the story.

Classroom Connections
~ Use this to start a discussion about traditions.
~ This would be a great way to start a discussion about why we shouldn't compare ourselves to others.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whether your gathering includes lace napkins and tots who share toys, or an uncle who burps and a store-bought pie, it can be the perfect holiday (if there's love, presumably). Illustrations make it clear that these families are exaggerated for comic effect, and that the creators hope that the reader's falls somewhere in between.

[Rebeca Whitecotton]

This book is about Thanksgiving for two different families. The whole book talks about Thanksgiving at one house, and Thanksgiving at another house. At the end, the book basically says how neither is right or wrong, what matters is that the families love each other. This would be a great book to do a read a loud for right before students go on Thanksgiving break. This is a great reminder that even though the holidays look different for all of us, it is still okay.

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lively collage illustrations.

[Baby Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!

Fall Festivities Week, Day 4: Happy Thanksgiving, friends! In the spirit of Turkey Day, our book for the day was The Perfect Thanksgiving, written by Eileen Spinelli and illustrated by JoAnn Adinolfi, a very sweet book about the true meaning of Thanksgiving.

Abigail Archer’s family has perfect Thanksgivings. Their turkey is golden brown, their napkins are lace, and everyone in attendance is pretty and polite. The narrator’s family Thanksgiving is… not perfect. The turkey is burnt, the dessert falls on the floor, and the people are loud and wild! But at the end of the day, both Thanksgiving are full of love and togetherness, and that makes them both Perfect Thanksgivings.

This was a fantastic Thanksgiving picture book! I loved that the message was that perfect food and settings don’t make a Thanksgiving special, being with family (no matter how boisterous or messy) is. The illustrations are colorful, lively and full of small and funny details that will make this an entertaining Thanksgiving read as baby bookworms grow. The length is great, and JJ loved it, so this one is Baby Bookworm approved!

Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

We'll take diners over haute cuisine in my family, pets and kids rule, and for the longest time I got away with running to the store in what I called yoga pants and my teen insisted were pj bottoms. We're that kind of family. Which is mostly great as far as the kids are concerned until the first time they go to somebody's house that is fancy. And then they go into that sort of sulk - you know, the sulk when they realize other people do things other ways and they begin to question why their family doesn't think substituting a jam jar for a glass is all that weird but so and so's family uses crytal classes or better yet - the expensive kind of paper cups with designs on them. Yeah, this book is perfect for your family to read before Thanksgiving or really anytime they need to be reassured that both kinds of different is okay.

[Ina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the tale of two - very different - Thanksgiving celebrations. The Archer family sits down to a perfect table, the family is well mannered, the food is delicious and after dinner there is no arguing and even the kids share all their favorite toys. Overnight guests find chocolates on the pillow of their perfectly made bed. The narrator's family has a very different kind of celebration - with gravy spills, raised voices and somewhat chaotic activity after dinner. That night loud snores can be heard from the sleeping bags that are laid out willy-nilly throughout the house. As much as I would secretly like to host a "Martha Stewart" Thanksgiving, my family celebration is closer to the narrators. What we find out though is that both families, like mine, enjoy their particular celebration just as it is.

[Molly Cluff (Library!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Contrasts two families' very different thanksgiving traditions.

[Stephanie Skolmoski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every family has different traditions, whether it is what they eat, how they play, how they dress or even their manners. But one thing is for sure, they all enjoy the holiday in their own way.

The Perfect Thanksgiving, by Eileen Spinelli shares a story about two very different families and their very different Thanksgiving. From manners and activities to the actual menu, the differences are vast and even humorous. In the end, though, each family has their own perfect Thanksgiving.

The illustrations by Joann Adinolfi definitely help show the differences between the families. They are colorful and simple.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I tend to enjoy Eileen Spinelli's work and this is no exception. I really enjoyed her rhyming story of a little girl comparing her messy and boisterous family's Thanksgiving to her friend's elegant and mannerly one. I was not a fan of the illustrations, though--I just didn't get the little turkey showing up and saying little asides, and the overall style just wasn't my cup of tea. Still, I think this is worthy of a read come Thanksgiving as it shows that, even though family's may be different, the best thing is when they have love underneath it all.

[Nancy Kotkin · Rating 2 out of 5]

A comparison of two diametrically different families and their Thanksgiving celebrations. It's unclear who Abigail Archer is, since she appears on the first page but is never properly introduced. At first I wondered whether or not she is the protagonist (she isn't), then I wondered what relationship she has to the protagonist (I never figured that out).

I'm a big fan of collage-style art, but it isn't the best choice for this particular story. The chaos of the illustrations adds to the confusion of the text.

[Jeannie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I ordered a bunch of Thanksgiving children's books from the library and they are still drifting in. I guess a lot of other moms had the same idea... So I just got to this one.

I'm not crazy about the artwork--a little too busy for my tastes--but it does fit the story. From a child's point of view we see how two VERY different families can have a perfect holiday simply because of the bonds created in loving families. I'll probably read it next year to the little ones that I tend to.

[Lynne Vanderveen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story describes the Thanksgiving celebration of the "perfect" holiday and the narrator's family celebration which is maybe not so perfect, but real. This would open up discussion of all the ways that people celebrate various things and that there is no "right" way. I also read The Perfect Christmas by the same author. They are quite similar - okay, they are alike - but that means both have the same strengths!

[Terry]

We could easily identify the story with our own Thanksgiving experiences. The story moves quickly and there are plenty of subtleties in the illustrations that any adult will enjoy.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book makes me laugh every time I read it...the perfect look at Thanksgiving for anyone who has ever had to examine their "ideal" thanksgiving against their "reality". I love it...pictures, story, and the sweet message about what is really important during the holidays! Great book!

[Justice · Rating 4 out of 5]

(7yr old's book report)
This book is about Abigail Archer and her family's perfect Thanksgiving. My family's Thanksgiving is not perfect but a loving family is all that matters.
I liked this book because it's funny. I really liked the hand turkey's funny comments.

[Lynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This a funny and sweet book about what holidays are really like for the non-perfect amongst us. It reminded me of the chaos of growing up in a large family.

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

thanksgiving, family, two different families celebrate thanksgiving in two different ways

[Aramis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun and funny contrast story between two "perfect" Thanksgivings. A playful and clever, heart-warming tale of how every family is different, and that's okay.

[Edna · Rating 4 out of 5]

What is a perfect holiday for one family may not be what is perfect holiday in another family. Fun book comparing and sharing differences in family traditions.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Archers seem perfect, but both families have love. The book shows young children to accept differences.

[Heather · Rating 1 out of 5]

Definitely the worst Thanksgiving book I've ever read. The focus is on comparing rather than giving and gratitude. Don't waste your time on this one.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute book on how families can celebrate holidays in their own ways and still be perfect for that family.

[Nikkik0428 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. It was a great book to read in November due to thanksgiving. I would say this book is for 2nd grade.

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute rhyming book for Thanksgiving.

[Elisabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've tried this as a read aloud a few times in storytime and the humor does not translate. It is a pretty good side by side holiday read though.

[Roberta · Rating 3 out of 5]

I guess my family is somewhere between Abigail Archer's and Eileen Spinelli's. Kind of cute, but not my favorite of the bunch I read.