‘Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving
Written and Illustrated by: Dav Pilkey
Recommended for ages 4 to 8
Scholastic $8.99

In the tradition of Clement C. Moore’s famous Christmas poem, Dav Pilkey’s Thanksgiving story is most entertaining for children at this time of year (especially for those of us who are not so fond of the way in which our centerpieces are brought to the table.)

As a class of young students head out on a field trip to a turkey farm, they are thrilled when they arrive and spot the downy, plump turkeys. The children begin to play with the giggling, gobbling creatures but soon one student spots an axe by the barn door and questions Farmer Mack Nuggett as to its purpose. When he tells them, “Tonight, these feathery beasts will be chopped up and roasted for Thanksgiving feasts”, the children panic and the waterworks begin. In an attempt to calm everyone down, the teacher and farmer run to the well to get their charges a drink of water. When they return, the children have mysteriously grown large bellies and seem to be their old, chipper selves. What have they done with the turkeys? Have they ruined this holiday for old Farmer Nuggett? Or have they created a happy Thanksgiving for the turkeys? This holiday book is just right for kids who like an ending with a twist.

Dav Pilkey is the creator of the ever-popular Captain Underpants and has recently added the eighth book to the series.

Happy Thanksgiving to all from your friends at Benjamin’s Books.