Fat Chance Thanksgiving

by Patricia Lakin, Stacey Schuett (Illustrator)

Determined to have a Thanksgiving feast to rival that in the book A Pilgrim Thanksgiving, especially after having to move into a small new apartment after a fire destroyed their first apartment, Carla refuses to take "no" for an answer when her mother says "Fat chance" to her request.

Genres: Thanksgiving, Picture Books, Holiday, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2001

Reviews

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

After her apartment burned down the year before, Carla and her mom find themselves in a new apartment for this year's Thanksgiving. But they don't know anyone and they don't have a lot of money for a big feast. That's when Carla has a brainstorm (inspired by the pilgrim thanksgiving story): why not use the lobby to have their Thanksgiving feast and invite the neighbors in the building? They just have to get permission from Mr. Lewis, the superintendent. At first it doesn't look like there will be enough neighbors willing to come, but through persistence, Carla and Julio make the gathering a success.

[Anne Wi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was an excellent example of hope and people coming together. A girl and her mom move to a new apartment following a house fire. The little girl wanted a bog Thanksgiving like the one in her favorite book. With determination and hope her and a neighbor boy pull off a fantastic Thanksgiving.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good things happen when people come together.

[Beyond the Pages with Eva K · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was such an interesting book to me. It came across as a mixed bag. I loved the base idea regarding the little girl recreating the Pilgrim Thanksgiving. I loved that she and her mother, who had at one time been displaced, were finally able to get a place to call their own. I loved that the little girl was always thinking and that she had an optimistic outlook in the face of challenges. I even loved how she recruited the little boy who had been so negative to her to help her in her quest. What I did not care for was the negativity or rather discouraging tones from her mother. Her mother's initial response was so ridiculous to me that I seriously started laughing. There were other glimpses of the mother's pessimistic outlook, but thankfully the little girl did not let her mother's attitude deter her.

Rating: 2.5/5
Other: I used this as a family read aloud for the holiday. My family and I had a great discussion about many things related to the book. I would definitely say that this would certainly be a decent conversation starter for those who are interested in spending time talking with their kids.

[Luisa Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

A poor little girl make a Thanksgiving dinner come true for her and her neighbors.

Ages: 5 - 9

Cleanliness: a little girl lies, saying she's having a big feast; but then makes it happen.

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[Relyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book. I love the way the main character turned adversity into celebration, taking her cue from the first Thanksgiving. It was a sweet story and a nice idea. My problem is the final product. It's a nice book, but not the kind of book that most kids will get excited about. There's no real razzle-dazzle to it. The illustrations are not exciting and neither is the language. You can make any argument you want about what kids >should read. But, what I know, is they want bright, funny pictures, words that delight and/or rhyme, and humor - kids really want humor. For a simple, sweet story to succeed, it's going to have to be brief and gorgeous. I just don't think this one will satisfy my students.

[Amber Basinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Students will learn about Thanksgiving in today's world and also in 1621 at the Harvest Celebration. I love how Lakin portrays Carla in a positive manner, not angry about the fire, but instead wanting to brighten her neighbors and mom's Thanksgiving. Students not only learn about the 1621 Harvest Celebration, but learn that the holiday means to be thankful for things that mean the most to them.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A child spends a year in a hotel for the homeless after losing everything in a house fire. Finally she moved to a small apartment just before Thanksgiving. She is determined to have a feast in her new home, but her mother's response is "Fat chance!" This story could work in conjunction with lessons on compassion, Pilgrims, or tenacity.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book I stumbled across at the library that I just love, about a girl who creates a big Thanksgiving celebration with the very diverse residents of her apartment building. Deserves to be read every year.

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

GREAT Thanksgiving book about a girl in a new apartment building who decides to invite all her new neighbors and make a feast. Adds some really nice variety to the typical First Thanksgiving books.

[Rida · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a pretty good book!

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really great story.