Thanksgiving, What Makes It Special?

September 23, 2002
This Christian-themed tale sinks under the weightiness of the author's efforts to stress the religious significance of the holiday. Mom and Dad gently reject popular nicknames like Turkey Day, then describe the first Thanksgiving to their children: "The Native Americans brought five deer. And everyone feasted together for three whole days," says Dad; "How cool is that?" adds Mom. As the kids decorate the windows, Dad works in Moses ("Too bad we don't have a Moses decal. He's part of Thanksgiving, too") as well as the story of Jesus and the 10 lepers, before "foster kids" arrive to celebrate the meal. The tale winds up obscuring the holiday's nondenominational appeal. Ages 3-8.