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Thanksgiving Rules
Percy Isaac Gifford's Official Thanksgiving I officially command you to eat EVERYTHING you see! Percy knows just what to do to get the most out of this delicious holiday. And so will you if you follow his ten simple rules. From "the early bird gets the turkey" to "life is sweeter when you eat sweets," his rules will help you eat your way through the big meal. But is there more to Thanksgiving than stuffed turkey and sweet potatoes with marshmallows? See how Percy discovers the true recipe for a perfect Thanksgiving holiday.
32 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2009
27 people are currently reading
130 people want to read
About the author
Laurie B. Friedman
176 books144 followersLaurie Friedman is the author and ghostwriter of over 300 award-winning picture books, easy readers, chapter books, and novels for young readers including the bestselling Mallory McDonald series, the Moose the Dog easy reader series, the Camp Creepy Lake and Wendy & Willow chapter books, and many picture books including Cows in the House and the Ruby Valentine books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
November 13, 2019
In this savory and delicious picture book, Percy Isaac Gifford gives us ten Thanksgiving holiday rules and to get the most out of the food and festivities that make up this holiday.
Thoughts:
Ha! I soooo saw myself and my family in this picture book. In Thanksgiving Rules, Percy has obviously learned quite a lot of tricks on how to navigate this special day that we spend with friends and family. Not only does he give you tips on how to get to the food faster, he teaches you how to greet and spend time with the family. He cracked me up as I saw a lot of myself in the first few tips where he showed us that the fastest way to the ‘main event’ is helping out with cleaning or peeling potatoes. Then he shows us how to give quick “hello’s” to guests so that their arrival isn’t a long drawn out process (it’s about the food, after all).
Percy gives lots of good advice about the meal that I know many parents of picky eaters will appreciate. He basically says to pile it on high and try everything – that it tastes good even when it doesn’t look like it will. And to not let a single bit of space on your plate go to waste.
The illustrations are fun and full of activity that depict various scenes in a home on Thanksgiving day. They often appear to have various styles and textures that blend well together to create a warm, inviting feeling of the holiday.
Overall a fun book to read that kids and adults will enjoy.
Recommended for those who are looking for permission to eat as much as they want on Thanksgiving as well as those who want ideas on how to get to the ‘main event’ faster.
Rating: 5 stars
Thoughts:
Ha! I soooo saw myself and my family in this picture book. In Thanksgiving Rules, Percy has obviously learned quite a lot of tricks on how to navigate this special day that we spend with friends and family. Not only does he give you tips on how to get to the food faster, he teaches you how to greet and spend time with the family. He cracked me up as I saw a lot of myself in the first few tips where he showed us that the fastest way to the ‘main event’ is helping out with cleaning or peeling potatoes. Then he shows us how to give quick “hello’s” to guests so that their arrival isn’t a long drawn out process (it’s about the food, after all).
Percy gives lots of good advice about the meal that I know many parents of picky eaters will appreciate. He basically says to pile it on high and try everything – that it tastes good even when it doesn’t look like it will. And to not let a single bit of space on your plate go to waste.
The illustrations are fun and full of activity that depict various scenes in a home on Thanksgiving day. They often appear to have various styles and textures that blend well together to create a warm, inviting feeling of the holiday.
Overall a fun book to read that kids and adults will enjoy.
Recommended for those who are looking for permission to eat as much as they want on Thanksgiving as well as those who want ideas on how to get to the ‘main event’ faster.
Rating: 5 stars
November 10, 2018
Cute little poem about gluttony on Thanksgiving day. This hit all the wrong notes for me honestly. A kid's playing the system on the day eating tons of food (which I do too on the day). I don't know, it's cute enough, but I don't feel like there was much Gratitude or anything, but it was like a playbook or scam ran. I didn't like the art either. I feel like the book had no heart and I'm looking for heart right now.
The kids were thrilled with it either. The niece gave this 1 star and the nephew gave it 3 stars. I will say the Rhymes were well written. It is obviously not speaking to me, maybe it will to you.
The kids were thrilled with it either. The niece gave this 1 star and the nephew gave it 3 stars. I will say the Rhymes were well written. It is obviously not speaking to me, maybe it will to you.
November 30, 2010
This book started out so wonderfully with preparations for thanksgiving in well-written rhyme. It even ends nicely with affection for those we appreciate. But WHAT happens in the middle of this story!?!!? The narrator basically encourages all to GORGE themselves. It gets rather dicey at the buffet. 10 pages (yes, 10 pages) are dedicated to selecting food, filling your plate, your stomach...e.g. "eat till your plate is squeaky clean" before going back for SECONDS!? Then pile on dessert! Now I have a healthy sense of humor and understand that the INTENT was to be funny with excess. But it flopped for me and I felt nauseous. Not a book I would share with home or storytime audiences. If only there were 6 pages of gorging, perhaps?
October 10, 2019
This book is actually a little bit disgusting. As Canadian Thanksgiving (or, as we Canadians call it, Thanksgiving) is coming up, I thought I'd read this to get in the mood. Unfortunately, it's nothing but a celebration of pure gluttony with just a glancing mention of thankfulness and appreciation. All the focus is on stuffing one's face with as much food as possible, as if it's some sort of grotesque eating contest. There doesn't even seem to be that much about enjoying the food; it's just how much you can shovel in.
The back of the book has snippets from Kirkus Reviews and Publishers Weekly that talk about gluttony and overindulgence like they're positive things. I'm sorry, but I don't agree... especially when the holiday in question is supposed to be about gratitude and recognition of what you're lucky enough to have. The book doesn't even try to tone down the gluttony aspect; even the kid's name--Percy Isaac Gifford--is used to reinforce the greed (his initials are stitched on his sweater). By the end of the evening, everybody's stuffed themselves so full that Percy can't even give them hugs!
Is this what American Thanksgiving has become? Stuffing oneself silly just for the sake of it? Where's the enjoyment? Where's the gratitude? It's almost obscene, especially when you think about all the people in the world who don't have enough to eat. Those people don't seem to cross Percy's mind at all; he's too focused on how to fill up his plate so he can shove more and more food down his gullet.
The illustrations are somewhat cute, with a mixed-media style that reminds me a bit of Jacqueline Hudon's work. But I really can't bring myself to like the pictures that much, since they depict such a spoiled, gluttonous child and his equally overindulgent family.
This is not what Thanksgiving is supposed to be about. It may be an accurate depiction of an American Thanksgiving, but it's kind of gross. I wanted to see more... you know... giving thanks. Instead, we have to watch a greedy kid shove food into his face and then admonish people who don't do the same.
Yuck.
The back of the book has snippets from Kirkus Reviews and Publishers Weekly that talk about gluttony and overindulgence like they're positive things. I'm sorry, but I don't agree... especially when the holiday in question is supposed to be about gratitude and recognition of what you're lucky enough to have. The book doesn't even try to tone down the gluttony aspect; even the kid's name--Percy Isaac Gifford--is used to reinforce the greed (his initials are stitched on his sweater). By the end of the evening, everybody's stuffed themselves so full that Percy can't even give them hugs!
Is this what American Thanksgiving has become? Stuffing oneself silly just for the sake of it? Where's the enjoyment? Where's the gratitude? It's almost obscene, especially when you think about all the people in the world who don't have enough to eat. Those people don't seem to cross Percy's mind at all; he's too focused on how to fill up his plate so he can shove more and more food down his gullet.
The illustrations are somewhat cute, with a mixed-media style that reminds me a bit of Jacqueline Hudon's work. But I really can't bring myself to like the pictures that much, since they depict such a spoiled, gluttonous child and his equally overindulgent family.
This is not what Thanksgiving is supposed to be about. It may be an accurate depiction of an American Thanksgiving, but it's kind of gross. I wanted to see more... you know... giving thanks. Instead, we have to watch a greedy kid shove food into his face and then admonish people who don't do the same.
Yuck.
April 18, 2021
#53 in my 365 Kids Books challenge and multi-year effort to get Goodreads to fix the Top Readers, etc. lists. For a fuller explanation see my review for 101 Amazing Facts about Australia You can see all the books on their own shelf It seems unlikely that I will actually achieve 365 reviews of kids books this year, but I don't plan to stop.
There aren't enough books on the modern celebration of certain holidays. There are way too many about that whole pilgrim's PR nonsense. But not enough about what Thanksgiving means for most people: friends and family and too much delicious food. Friedman provides many helpful hints for filling one's plate and eating, but also covers what the family does before the meal in preparation, and what gets done after the meal, with no mention of televised anything or rigid gender roles. Not a book I expected to be impressed with, just another delightful surprise in this project
There aren't enough books on the modern celebration of certain holidays. There are way too many about that whole pilgrim's PR nonsense. But not enough about what Thanksgiving means for most people: friends and family and too much delicious food. Friedman provides many helpful hints for filling one's plate and eating, but also covers what the family does before the meal in preparation, and what gets done after the meal, with no mention of televised anything or rigid gender roles. Not a book I expected to be impressed with, just another delightful surprise in this project
October 29, 2012
With the holidays near, "Thanksgiving Rules" by Laurie B. Friedman provides plenty of silly rules from a young boy named Percy, who's main concern is for people to over-indulge on Thanksgiving Day. For example, readers are reminded to "eat, drink but first be clean," and that they are "only as sweet as the sweets they eat." Percy goes on to encourage readers to stuff themselves until they are about to blow, and always go for seconds, and try every kind of sweets available. After indulging in a gluttonous day, Percy goes on to say that people should take time to be thankful for all they have on Thanksgiving day, but to be careful about giving hugs because family members could potentially explode.
What I really enjoyed about "Thanksgiving Rules" was the fabulous use of rhyme and rhythm. Part of helping students become proficient readers is to help them practice their fluency skills, and a great way to do so is by having students read stories with rhyme and rhythm. "Thanksgiving Rules" definitely delivered in this department. Also, the illustrations were quirky, and were definitely fun and friendly to the child's eye.
Unfortunately, this book did leave me with something to be desired. I felt as though the book focused way too much on eating, and did not focus as much on the true meaning of Thanksgiving, which is to be thankful and appreciative, not gluttonous and greedy. At the very end of the book, Percy indeed mentioned being thankful, which was nice, but I wish that element of the story would have been focused on more throughout the entire story.
Overall, the only reason I would use this book in my classroom would be to focus on rhyme and rhythm. In regards to the meaning of Thanksgiving, this book did not deliver. I would give it an average review, with the rhyme, rhythm, and illustrations being the only factors that make the story somewhat useful for the teacher.
What I really enjoyed about "Thanksgiving Rules" was the fabulous use of rhyme and rhythm. Part of helping students become proficient readers is to help them practice their fluency skills, and a great way to do so is by having students read stories with rhyme and rhythm. "Thanksgiving Rules" definitely delivered in this department. Also, the illustrations were quirky, and were definitely fun and friendly to the child's eye.
Unfortunately, this book did leave me with something to be desired. I felt as though the book focused way too much on eating, and did not focus as much on the true meaning of Thanksgiving, which is to be thankful and appreciative, not gluttonous and greedy. At the very end of the book, Percy indeed mentioned being thankful, which was nice, but I wish that element of the story would have been focused on more throughout the entire story.
Overall, the only reason I would use this book in my classroom would be to focus on rhyme and rhythm. In regards to the meaning of Thanksgiving, this book did not deliver. I would give it an average review, with the rhyme, rhythm, and illustrations being the only factors that make the story somewhat useful for the teacher.
November 4, 2022
A boy goes over the things you need to keep in mind to get through the day i.e. wear the clothes your mom picks out and help do some chores, since it will get you to your meal time feast a lot faster.
Ages: 4 - 8
Cleanliness: see above.
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Ages: 4 - 8
Cleanliness: see above.
**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!
November 11, 2015
As a reader I think Thanksgiving Rules is a great and funny children's book. The main character Percy Isaac Gifford tells us the rules of Thanksgiving through rhymes. He explains how to get ready, eat, clean up, and give thanks on Thanksgiving Day.
As a teacher, this book would be great to read to students around the holidays. I could read this to my students and we could discuss how to be appreciative of family and friends throughout the holiday season. To give thanks for everything our loved ones have done for us. This book also shows children a lesson on how to be helpful in the kitchen by cleaning up messes and helping out the family.
As a teacher, this book would be great to read to students around the holidays. I could read this to my students and we could discuss how to be appreciative of family and friends throughout the holiday season. To give thanks for everything our loved ones have done for us. This book also shows children a lesson on how to be helpful in the kitchen by cleaning up messes and helping out the family.
October 25, 2012
Summary: This book is a guide to Percy Isaac Gifford’s 10 rules for Thanksgiving. It also includes his Official Decree, “Eat everything you see!”
Audience: K-2
Appeal: It’s a holiday book, it rhymes, it’s silly and it has awesome pictures!
Implementation: I would read this book right before Thanksgiving break, when it becomes impossible for the students to think about anything other than the fact that they have a long weekend coming up!
Citation: Friedman, L. B., & Murfin, T. (2009). Thanksgiving Rules. Minneapolis: Carolrhoda Books.
Audience: K-2
Appeal: It’s a holiday book, it rhymes, it’s silly and it has awesome pictures!
Implementation: I would read this book right before Thanksgiving break, when it becomes impossible for the students to think about anything other than the fact that they have a long weekend coming up!
Citation: Friedman, L. B., & Murfin, T. (2009). Thanksgiving Rules. Minneapolis: Carolrhoda Books.
February 13, 2018
The book "Thanksgiving Rules" is a good book for people in 1st- 3rd grade. It is a very funny story with amazing pictures! The author is Laurie Friedman and the illustrator is Teresa Murfin. The text goes really well with the pictures in the book. I like it because the text is really descriptive and very funny. The text also rhymes and it says all the different varieties of food you can have at Thanksgiving. There also is this little dog that peeks in a couple of pages. I say this is a great book for kids!
May 30, 2017
I have mixed feelings about this book. The rhymes are cute and the illustrations are fun but there are a few things that bother me. Telling children to basically put up with their mom (regarding clothes) is off putting to me as a mom. And while I like the idea of telling the kids to try everything at the buffet, it is a touch too glutinous.
So I will be rereading the book to my toddler before we return the copy to the library but we won't purchase a copy for our own library.
So I will be rereading the book to my toddler before we return the copy to the library but we won't purchase a copy for our own library.
November 22, 2016
The pictures are cute, and the words are clever with how they rhyme. So it's definitely fun to read aloud and enjoyable to look at. But a few pages in, I realized how much this was just focusing on food, and lots of food. In the end, it did emphasize that it's also important to be thankful, so I guess it ended on a note of gratitude. But I'm in search of other children's Thanksgiving picture books that portray a message more geared around spending time with family for this holiday.
November 28, 2010
This is a rhyming book about the rules of Thanksgiving. The little boy offers advice about how to prepare for Thanksgiving- helping your mom and dad with the cooking and cleaning, and entertaining the relatives. He then talks about how to fill your plate from the Thanksgiving buffet. It is a cute read, and I think that kids would definitely find it entertaining.
November 6, 2015
I'll never of Thanksgiving in the same way again! Main character Percy Isaac Gifford is charming, with all his conniving schemes and trickery in the holiday season. Though it seems he's only after the food, he does show his soft side at the end of the story. I will say no more... you'll just have to read it for yourself!! ;)
November 19, 2016
This book is funny. A little boy outlines his rules for thanksgiving day - from greeting guests to eating dessert. Older kids, especially those who love food, will enjoy the humor in this book. It's a less traditional, more fun interpretation of Thanksgiving day.
Ages 6-10
http://www.momsradius.com/2016/11/8-g...
Ages 6-10
http://www.momsradius.com/2016/11/8-g...
November 3, 2009
Reasonably fun with tips for kids that parents would like- the polite quick hello, be appreciative to bakers, etc. He really emphasizes eating, so you just have to enter into the spirit of it. Too much text for Story time, but rhyming text is good for Early literacy.
December 12, 2012
A fun story for any child, especially boys, on Thanksgiving. It talks all about eating through Thanksgiving but has a special message as well. I would recommend this book for about 1st grade to about fourth.
November 29, 2013
This book is pretty funny and has some great illustrations. However, the entire story is about talking to your relatives as little as possible so that you have more time to eat everything in sight. The last few pages are about being thanksful, but most of the book is about eating.
October 25, 2014
This is a great book. It tells kids that you need to help clean up, make dinner and get dressed. Then you can eat the "Thanksgiving buffet"(Thanksgiving rules pg.16) I also like that he has his dog with him through out the story. It makes the book fun for kids to read.
December 4, 2014
Percy Issac Gilford P.I.G. At first I thought this book was just a silly glutenous book about eating and eating and family and eating...but at the end it wraps it all up with love and family and gratitude! Makes it all worth while!
October 7, 2015
This book explores a little boys rules about thanksgiving. It tells you how to start the day, enjoy the day, and how to end the day!
Classroom: A nice holiday book, great to use around Thanksgiving!
Classroom: A nice holiday book, great to use around Thanksgiving!
April 8, 2010
Great rhyming book about thanksgiving. Finally, another book to pair with "There was an old lady who swallowed a pie"!
November 9, 2010
adorable!
November 11, 2012
Holiday books all too often try so hard that they miss their mark. In this one, a little boy shares his Thanksgiving Rules...and you know what, they kind of rule!
November 15, 2012
I am reading this book to kinder and first and having the kids write and illustrate their own rules for Thanksgiving. A fun book that the kids seem to like, just short on actual story.
November 22, 2014
With Thanksgiving coming up we read this and loved the rules on cleaning up, helping and trying all the new food. The ending was sweet on not squeezing the food out of people too
May 14, 2017
I read this to my KG2 class, my class enjoy it especially when Percy delclare his Thanksgiving decree. They couldn't believe how they eat all of those food. A great book for thanksgiving.
November 23, 2015
I loved this book but more importanly the kids loved this book.
November 30, 2015
It's alright. The rhyme makes it sort of pain to read aloud, and it's definitely awkward in a place or two.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews