Thanksgiving
From the Series Holiday History
In this book, early fluent readers will learn about the history of Thanksgiving, including when, where, and who first celebrated it, its meaning, the traditions associated with it, including giving thanks, celebrating the harvest, and preparing a feast for family and friends, and how it and similar holidays are celebrated in different parts of the world today. Vibrant, full-color photos and carefully leveled text will engage young readers as they learn more about the history behind this popular holiday.
A Take a Look! infographic introduces traditional Thanksgiving dishes, sidebars present interesting, supplementary information, and an At a Glance recap offers a map and quick stats on the history of the holiday. Children can learn more about Thanksgiving using our safe search engine that provides relevant, age-appropriate websites. Thanksgiving also features reading tips for teachers and parents, a table of contents, a glossary, and an index.
Thanksgiving is part of Jump!'s Holiday History series.
Reviews
Booklist Review of Thanksgiving
Starting with a quick version of the traditional story of the origins of Thanksgiving (with a glancing nod to contemporary Indigenous people’s alternate gathering to “remember those who died after colonists arrived”), this Holiday History series (7 titles) volume still manages to offer a few twists.
Many books focus only on the first Thanksgiving or on modern celebrations, but Spanier takes a broader approach. She traces the holiday’s history from its colonial origins through its establishment in the 1860s until the present—complete with turkey, parades, and football. The book also offers several examples of related holidays in India, Canada, and Japan.
Colorful stock photos, infographics, informational sidebars, and critical-thinking questions assist with reading comprehension and engagement. Although not as nuanced as some titles, this useful reference goes beyond the basics.
