“Abigail Archer’s family is perfect in every way. Never is this more obvious than on Thanksgiving Day,” begins The Perfect Thanksgiving by Eileen Spinelli with illustrations by Joann Adinolfi. “Our smoke alarm is wailing. Our turkey, burnt as toast. Dad spills the gravy down his shirt — a less than perfect host.”
Recommended for readers between the ages of 4 and 7 years old, The Perfect Thanksgiving chronicles the Thanksgivings of two very different families. Written in rhymed text with colorful and sometimes funny illustrations, the book is perfect for younger readers as well.
Most kids can related to the text. While Abigail Archer seems to have the perfect Thanksgiving, the narrator describes a holiday with mishap upon mishap. In the end, however, the narrator concedes that both families — although different — are alike in the love each shares. Although the message might be lost on younger readers, toddlers and preschoolers will still enjoy listening to the rhymes.
The hilarious illustrations also help bring the story within The Perfect Thanksgiving to life for readers of all ages. Through a series of drawings with some photo collages thrown in, the illustrations highlight the perfections of the Archer family and the imperfections experienced by the narrator. My toddler daughter really enjoyed looking at all the pictures throughout the book.
Final Verdict: The Perfect Thanksgiving by Eileen Spinelli with illustrations by Joann Adinolfi is a fun fiction book for younger readers during the Thanksgiving holiday. The combination of rhyming text and funny illustrations also makes the book perfect for younger pre-readers. If you are looking for a Thanksgiving-themed book to read with your child this holiday season, I highly recommend The Perfect Thanksgiving.
Purchase The Perfect Thanksgiving on Amazon via my affiliate link.
Image Credits
‘The Perfect Thanksgiving’ Book Review © 2013 Heather Johnson
Cover of The Perfect Thanksgiving © 2013 Heather Johnson
Inside Pages of The Perfect Thanksgiving © 2013 Heather Johnson
