Over the River and Through the Woods Illus by Emma Randall

ANNNNND the final contender! 

This book wins the cutest endpapers competition! 

In general, this book is very cute. 

Pretty though too!

One of those books where small children are doing things their parents should never let them do by themselves. 

And here is grandmother's farm. This one is definitely for a younger crowd. There aren't too many verses, so it gets down quite quickly and the illustrations with the bright colors and rounded shapes are ideal for young children. 

Over the River and Through the Woods Illus by Christopher Manson

The next one had woodcut illustrations which creates a vintage feel. 

This also had simplified lyrics, omitting some of the lesson known verses.

Iceboats!

For some reason, this version feels the most authentic. For no reason except the woodcuts look vintagey. 

I have to say, I love woodcuts.

I loved this one! 

Over the River and Through the Woods by Matt Tavares

Students love singing books, so I decided to get a copy of Over the River to sing to them. While searching for a copy, I found several different versions with very different illustrations. So I had to get them all. Because, who did it best? 

We must know. 

The first one I found, up in the top left has the most conventional illustrations. 

Period appropriate and attention to detail

We will not stop for doll or top 

For 'tis Thanksgiving Day

Conventional or not, I enjoy these illustrations! 

This is the only copy that had this particular stanza in it

Over the river, and through the wood, 

With a clear blue winter sky

The dogs do bark,

And children hark,

As we go jingling by. 

This is definitely an idealized version of a New England back in the day, but hey, I am not one to argue with a dollop of nostalgia. 

So I like this one. 

Stranded at Plimoth Plantation 1626 by Gary Bowen

Not the first Thanksgiving, but sort of Thanksgiving-y. So here you are. 

I love the wood cut illustrations, which is why I picked it up. 

I love cloud faces blowing ships around. 

This book is the fictional diary of 13 year old Christopher Sears headed for Jamestown. As you may have suspected from the title, this book is about "Plimoth" not Jamestown. Because surprise! the ship crashed on the New England shore.  

Fortunately, Native Americans rescued the shipwrecked sailors and delivered them to the Pilgrims.

In the intervening year between ships, Christopher became immersed in the lives of the Pilgrims, recording the births, deaths, arrests, and excitements of their lives. While it is entirely fictional, it is researched enough to accurately depict life in Plimoth. (Why is there a "y" in Plymoth now? Did he just not know how to spell Plymoth? Clearly he had not installed grammarly on his notebook.)

Poor Christopher--enduring peeping Puritains. 

When I was dressing this morning, by accident my shirt went on inside out. Elinor Adams, who was peering into the house through a crack in the wall, screamed at me not to reverst it. She said to wear it that was for it was a sign of good luck. 

I am unaccustomed to this Puritan notion of constantly checking the wrongdoing  of others.

 You and me both, Christopher. How is it okay to spy on people getting dressed? I think they call if voyeurism these days. 

And Christopher burned his finger and ripped his pants, so not lucky, Elinor. Nice try. 

A death

I love order. I know it is super boring. But I do. 

Pretty marvelous sunset.

Inevitably, Christopher begins to wonder if maybe life would be better for him here in the place he is familiar with rather than the unknown Jamestown. But there is the small detail of being indentured to a Captain.... But with Captain Standish on his side, Christopher might just win out. 

For some reason, I was always fascinated by Plymoth. The Puritans were so... restrained and bizarre at the same time. The chance of actually surviving so minuscule. The whole idea so audacious. Also, I read a book I really loved named... Constance or something like that about a Puritan girl. And I was a history nerd. 

Strega Nona's Harvest by Tomie dePaola

For some reason, I have never really read the Strega Nona books. 

And, interestingly, I thought this was posted on Thanksgiving, but it wasn't. So here it is now. 

(Side note, see the Imagination Library logo on the bottom right? That is a terribly terrific program by Dolly Parton. Because her father was illiterate, she sends any child under five a free book every month. EVERY MONTH. And they are good books. You should really look into it if you have an under-five in your life.)

Strega Nona is getting ready for spring planting.

She teaches her two helpers, Bambolona and Big Anthony all her tips and tricks for making a garden grow well. 

Big Anthony decides to see if he plant a garden too. 

He does exactly what Strega Nona did. 

....Except for the straight row thing. Big Anthony thought that was overrated. 

In no time, his garden looked like a jungle.

You can see Strega Nona's terribly straight and orderly garden and Big Anthony's helter skelter one. 

Harvest begins.

Big Anthony doesn't know what to do with his bounty, so he just piles them up in front of Strega Nona's door. 

All this surplus food starts overtaking her house. 

So she goes to the nuns to see if they would like some extra food. 

Strega Nona learns that the rest of the village didn't have a good harvest. 

She goes to the mayor and offers to cook food for the entire village. 

Preparations ensue. 

A lovely feast is had by all!

And each guest is allowed to take an armful home to their larders. 

Ahh! Strega Nona feels much better with her kitchen empty of all those vegetables.

But... where did they come from?! 

Hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving! 

Pigs Love Potatoes by Anika Denise & Illus by Christopher Denise

I am at my sister's for Thanksgiving. As I was nosing through her books, I discovered this one. Since we are pealing about 15 pounds of potatoes for tomorrow's dinner, it seemed apropos. 

My kids are little piggies when it comes to potatoes. SO MANY POTATOES IN OUR LIFE. But honestly, I am okay with that. Peeling potatoes, throwing them in a pot, adding a little butter, cream, and salt to create something fluffy and yummy that my kids devour? It is kind of like magic. 

Anika and Christopher Denise are a husband and wife team. I like husband and wife teams.  

I went way overboard on pictures for this book, but I really enjoy fat little piggies. 

SO ADORABLE. 

This is basically a counting book.

One little pig is helping

Another comes to peak.

TWO little get a scolding. 

Helping in the kitchen, playing in water, bright colors, and a pig in a tutu. 

My heart. 

In case you did not see exactly how cute that dancing pig is, here is a closeup! 

Joyful peeling! 

Then, DADDY'S HOME!

Oh the excitement!

Bright red front porch swing... Happy sigh! 

A neighbor drops by. I love the red and striped piggy's excitement! 

And I like the subtext of Mommy and Daddy pig here. Clearly Mommy was not keen on having company tonight. 

But then a few more friends drop by.

Happy piggies with tummies full of potatoes!