Cartoon style art shows a boy being dragged by an overflowing buffet of Thanksgiving foods with adult faces behind the food.
Posted in PB, So Many Good Books

The Great Thanksgiving Escape

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Perfect Picture Book Friday

The Great Thanksgiving Escape (Candlewick, 2017) by Mark Fearing is so hilarious. (I can’t believe I’ve never posted about it before!)

Gavin expects a boring day, but when cousin Rhonda suggests they escape the toddlers to the swing set in the backyard, the hilarity ensues.

I love this view of a Thanksgiving gathering from the point of view of a kid. “Great wall of butts,” anyone?

Mark is an author/illustrator who sometimes illustrates others books and sometimes writes and illustrates his own. See his books here. See what else he does here and read about Mark here. He’s also a good speaker, so if you can, attend an event where he’s talking.

Cover shows forest winter scape with snow falling and the back of a dark-haired girl with red cap and coat
Posted in Award Winners, MG Novels, So Many Good Books

The Sea in Winter

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

The Sea in Winter (Thorndike Press, 2021) by Christine Day is a story of resilience.

Maisie Cannon’s knee is still hurting after surgery and physical therapy, but what hurts worse is not dancing ballet. She feels hopeless. Disconnected from her friends, and even her blended family. But she’s getting better, right?

The story is set in Washington state, in Seattle and on the coast near the Makah community. We along with the character learn pieces of her family history. (Some based on history we should be aware of.)

This story is an American Indian Youth Literature Award Honor Book!

Read about the author here. Previously, I recommended another book by Christine: I Can Make This Promise.

Cartoon style art, shows a running boy carrying a cornucopia of fruit and veggies spilling out. There's a lamb ducking raining food on one side and a shocked turkey on the other.
Posted in PB, So Many Good Books

It’s Almost Time for… Thanksgiving

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

It’s Friday, so time for another picture book!

It’s Almost Time for… Thanksgiving (Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2026) by Maisha Oso and illustrated by Tom Knight is a fun holiday book.

Written in verse it shares how to get ready–“put away decor from Halloween”–plan the meal, pick your turkey, and what to do on the day, from watching the parade, playing football, sharing gratitude, and of course the food.

The story has an unexpected twist. And is part of the “It’s Almost Time for…” series.

Read about the author here and see Maisha’s other books here.

See a bunch of Tom’s illustrations and book covers here and read about the author/illustrator here.