Thanksgiving with Me

by Margaret Willey, Lloyd Bloom (Illustrator)

As a girl anticipates the arrival of her six favorite uncles for the Thanksgiving celebration, she asks her mother to describe life with her brothers on past Thanksgivings.

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

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 30, 1998

About the author

I am the author of 9 Young Adult novels, 6 picture books & more on the way in both genres. I have also published reviews, essays and poetry. My best known books are the CLEVER BEATRICE picture books, for which I received many awards and prizes, including the CCBC Charlotte Zolotow award for best writing in a picture book. Recently, I was given the Gwen Frostic Award by the Michigan Reading Association for my contributions to literacy in my home state of Michigan. I have two grown children and live in Grand Haven with my husband Richard Joanisse.

I am the author of FOUR SECRETS,a book about the aftermath of a school bullying incident with graphic novel-inspired illustrations by Bill Hauser.
I am currently promoting my new title with Carolrhoda Lab, BEETLE BOY, about a different kind of bullying, the parental kind, and one boy's long journey out of childhood to escape it. Kirkus called the book "Disturbing and riveting" in a starred review. Starred review Publishers Weekly. Cited as a book of week for Sept 1 from PW.

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This had the potential to be really good, but somehow just didn't quite delivery everything it could. I liked the pictures, I liked the concept, and the style was fine... but it just left me underwhelmed. But, definitely a worthwhile Thanksgiving read, especially if your young ones look forward to relatives visiting!

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little girl asks her mother about her six uncles and their childhood together in this poetic Thanksgiving picture-book from author Margaret Willey and illustrator Lloyd Bloom. The rhyming text describes each brother's characteristics, and some of the things they would get up to in youth, before moving on to the girl's anticipation of their upcoming visit...

I have enjoyed other titles from Willey—notably, her picture-books about Clever Beatrice—but Thanksgiving With Me is my first exposure to Lloyd Bloom's work. I found it engaging enough, with an almost folk-song, tall-tale feeling narrative and charmingly expressive and old-fashioned-looking artwork. I don't know that this is destined to become a holiday favorite of mine, but I do like that it captures a young child's eagerness for holiday visitors, something I remember experiencing as a girl myself. Recommended to picture-book readers looking for Thanksgiving tales that center around extended family coming together.

[Peacegal · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars -- Old-fashioned illustrations and and a "tall tale" sensibility. This is a celebration of a large family reuniting for the holiday.

Veg*n families note: A goose is roasted for Thanksgiving, and the carcass is featured predominately in the illustrations. A brother is said to be strong as an ox, and is shown wrestling a calf down to the ground.

[Luisa Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

For the families with many siblings, you're sure to read this fondly!

Ages: 4 - 8

Cleanliness: nothing to note.

**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide a Cleanliness Report, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!

So Follow or Friend me here on GoodReads! And be sure to check out my bio page to learn a little about me and the Picture Book/Chapter Book Calendars I sell on Etsy!

[Lacy | literary_lacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

As someone that comes from a large close-knit family, I really enjoyed that element of the book. The girl has many uncles that she is excited to see for Thanksgiving. I love how the family is getting together for the holidays.

The illustrations are decent in this book. The colors are more muted and neutral, so the pictures don’t really jump off the page or grab your attention.

This book is more of a tall-tale when the mother is talking about her brothers. They sound like giants. But, I really enjoyed this element.

My daughter also, enjoyed this book pretty well. It kept her attention better than some, but wasn’t one that she was just completely engrossed in.

This book is definitely a good Thanksgiving story, and very heartwarming.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rhyming verse, best for a younger audience.

[Joy Gerbode · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story is a very simple one of family getting back together to celebrate the holiday, and not very entertaining. However, the artwork is very fun, and I enjoyed all the pictures.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Happy Thanksgiving!

[Jen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just ok, not great.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rhyming book. May be at the long end of a good storytime length book, but I'm gonna try it.

[Ina · Rating 4 out of 5]

We continued storytime with this book about a young girl waiting for her five, larger than life, uncles to arrive for Thanksgiving Dinner. She begs her mother to help the time pass by telling her - again - about what it was like growing up with them. The illustrations are lovely and the text is told in rhyme. Most of the time I think that is a big plus for a toddler storytime book, but the text here is tortured a bit to make it rhyme. Even the kids (and these are 2 and 3 year olds) thought that some of the phrases were not-quite-right. This book does capture a child's anticipation as she waits for family to arrive for thanksgiving and the deep sense of family tradition, that is so much a part of this uniquely American holiday.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun tale, with a rhyming narrative and humorous illustrations depicting the little girl's uncles as larger than life. Our girls laughed at how much food they could eat and how tall Uncle Joe is. It's a great story to read at Thanksgiving, especially in anticipation of seeing family members who live far away.

[Storytime Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book for any child that is excited to see their family on Thanksgiving. The plot is simple, but it helps show how much fun and anticipation waiting for Thanksgiving to begin can be. The illustrations, done by Lloyd Bloom, are colorful and bring the book to life with its detail, especially with the fall colors

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a child, do you remember eagerly awaiting the arrival of relatives for the holidays? In this poetic picture book, a girl awaits her uncles, and listens to her mother recount memories of their Thanksgivings together. Written in short musical verse, and illustrated in a style reminiscent of classic picture books, this book is a nice addition to an elementary library's Thanksgiving collection.

[Teri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just ok--little on the blah side. Does reinforce the idea that mom's brothers are uncles. Why is it so hard to find a good thanksgiving book?

[carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book used to make me cry back when my family was scattered to the four winds. Only 2 siblings left who need to come back to Utah.

[Alyssa · Rating 2 out of 5]

The illustrations are pretty and it has the feel of a book that should be very engaging, but just falls flat.