Happy Thanksgiving! This is a fun book and very cute, simple treat to make with the kids this holiday!

Open A Book…

Title: Thanksgiving Rules

Author: Laurie Friedman

Illustrator: Teresa Murfin

Recommended Age: 4-8 years old

Book Brief: I officially command you to eat everything you see! Percy knows just what to do to get the most out of this very delicious holiday. And so will you if you follow his 10 simple rules. From, “the early bird gets the turkey” to “life is sweeter when you eat sweets” his rules will help you eat your way through the big meal. But is there more to Thanksgiving than stuffed turkey and sweet potatoes with marshmallows? See how Percy discovers the true recipe for a perfect Thanksgiving holiday.

About the Author: Laurie Friedman is the author of the popular Mallory chapter book series, as well as several pictures books, including, I’m Not Afraid of this Haunted House and Love, Ruby Valentine. Ms. Friedman says she loved writing about Thanksgiving almost as much as she likes celebrating it and wishes her readers a very happy holiday.

About the Illustrator: Teresa Murfin is the illustrator of several pictures books including, I’m Not Afraid of This Haunted House. She lives and works in Bristol, England where she does her best to follow Percy’s Rule #9.

Have a Blast!

Marshmallow Pilgrim Hats

from Disney’s Family Fun

From: www.familyfun.com

Cost: Less than $10 per batch of 30-40

Difficulty: Very easy but slightly messy

Instructions

1. Set the chocolate-striped cookies stripes down on a wax-paper-covered tray, spacing them well apart.
2. Melt the chocolate chips in a microwave or double boiler.
3. One at a time, stick a wooden toothpick into a marshmallow, dip the marshmallow into the melted chocolate, and promptly center it atop a cookie.
4. Using a second toothpick to lightly hold down the marshmallow, carefully pull out the first toothpick.
5. Chill the hats until the chocolate sets, then pipe a yellow decorators’ frosting buckle on the front of each hat.

Between an early game of football and the big feast, I’ve always enjoyed spending a few Thanksgiving moments watching the annual Macy’s Thanksiving Day Parade. From the giant character balloons to the elaborate floats, the event must be the most-watched parade in America. The final attraction is always the transition from one holiday to the next, when the Christmas season is ushered in by Santa Claus himself!

Use that magical moment as a launching point for reading Miracle on 34th Street. The book picks up where the parade leaves off, and it’s sure to get you and your kids into the Christmas spirit.

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We feel there is no event that could replace the fun and excitement of spending Thanksgiving with family and friends, whether your group is big or small. To add a serving of childish fun and a dash of silliness, we enjoy having young and old create Thanksgiving hats to wear during dinner. The hats use simple materials: construction paper, scissors, glue, and staples. We have it ready on the coffee table to be completed as the Turkey is carved or the finishing touches are made to the dinner. Try it out! It will be a Thanksgiving to remember and the pictures are fantastic!

Thanksgiving on Thursday from the Magic Tree House book series is a great pairing of Thanksgiving traditions and learning historical facts about the pilgrims and Native Americans in the first Thanksgiving. In the book, the children are transported back to the Fall of 1621 and are asked to help with the preparations for the Harvest Celebration. The book focuses on children’s duties in the Plymouth Colony and ends with a lesson that could be applied in all our lives no matter what century we live in. Happy Thanksgiving!

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