On our weekly trip to the library I like to try and get at least one topical book for Ryan to read with his mother or I. Well, this week we got out ‘Twas the night before Thanksgiving by Dav Pilkey. I’m not sure if this is educational but it certainly was fun. It’s a children’s book written I think for the parents more than the kids. A lot of the humor I think was above Ryan, but I got a couple of chuckles.

Now don’t get me wrong this is an enjoyable read for the children also. Let me tell you about this hardback book which is written and illustrated by Dav Pilkey and published by Orchard Books in 1990.

The contents

The book starts off with the phrase “'Twas the day before Thanksgiving and all through the trees, the fall leaves were spinning It has eight children boarding a school bus in hopes of a field trip. Well there dreams are not dashed for soon the bus is off.

As the bus traverses on it’s way ”They sang as they rode through autumn terrains, While visions of drumsticks danced in their brains.” The book continues talking about going through the woods then all of a sudden a clatter happened that they all rushed to the window wondering what could have happened.

What do you think these children saw they saw a miniature farm and eight tiny turkey, could you see that one coming. It also had a little old man whose name was Farmer Mack Nugget. (Could McDonalds sue for this? LOL)

Talking about Farmer Mack Nugget He was dressed all in denim from his head to his toe, with a pinch of polyester and a dash of Velcro. The children hear the prancing and pawing of turkey in the hay and then Farmer Mack Nugget (all right I know I’m over using his name, but it just cracks me up) calls out the turkeys by their names another bit for the adults reading to their kids Now Ollie, now Stanley, now Larry and Moe, on Wally, on Beaver, on Shemp and Groucho!” I found the names amusing however Ryan only being 5 looked at me when I started to laugh and said are you all right Dad. (Of course the answer is not, but he doesn’t need to know about Dad’s problems yet.)

The book continues by saying the big and chunky the turkeys are and how happy they seem. The children and turkey’s ran around gobbling and giggling and having a grand ole time the way friends do. Until –Gasp – somebody saw the dreaded ax (The illustration here is another amuser for the adults, It is a play on the famous painting by Grant wood -- American Gotic. Again Ryan didn’t see the humor but Dad enjoyed it.) The little girl asked what’s it for? ”Tonight,” said Mack Nuggett, “Theses feathery beasts will be chopped up and roasted for Thanksgiving feasts.”

Well you could imagine this set the children off into wails and screams. What to do what to do the farmer and teacher ran up to the well and fetched water to give the children. Maybe this will settle them down. When the farmer and teacher returned the children where much calmer and little fatter too. The boys and girls drank the water thanked Farmer Mack Nuggett and waddled to the bus. As the school bus drove off in the night Mack Nuggett looked around and couldn’t see any of his turkeys. The next page has this to say ’’Twas the night before Thanksgiving, and the stars up above shone down on a school bus abounding with love The next night all the families had turkeys as guests, they feasted on veggies and jelly and toast and everyone was thankful. Especially the turkeys.

Thoughts on the book

I thoroughly enjoyed this book in talking with Ryan about it he liked it to especially when the kids saved the turkeys. (I just hope we don’t have trouble when Dad fixes up the bird for Thanksgiving dinner) One of the illustrations Ryan didn’t like was when the farmer was talking about chopping off the turkey’s heads, and I have to admit the picture did make the farmer look a little possessed. On the whole, though the illustrations where big colorful and eye catching to help keep the child’s interest.

This 32 page hardback book sells for $14.95. I liked the book but I don’t think I would fork that much over for it. It definitely is worth getting out of the library to read to your child. Or if your child is older I would say about 3rd or 4th grade they could read it themselves. This age group may get the humor more too.

My final thought is it is a fun and humorous book, that definitely is worth at least getting out of the library which is a great place to bring your kids too. Start at an early age it will pay off I believe, as they get older. Thought I wasn’t going to preach in this review didn’t you—Wrong I always have to get my little lesson of the day in.

I would like to point out the other review written today by tritter72 at content_465334896#ow which is an excellent review of this book. You may wish to check it out before making a final decision on this book.

Thanks for reading and I hope you found this review helpful and informative




Recommended: Yes