  | Full Text Reviews: School Library Journal - 08/01/2013 K-Gr 2—Bright, cheery, and expressive illustrations perfectly complement this sweet story about Sam's holiday dilemma. The bear cub's class is getting ready for Thanksgiving by making projects and sharing what they are most thankful for. Poor Sam can't think of what to do for his project or what makes him feel grateful. After much thinking, he attempts to re-create the Thanksgiving Day Parade, but a strong wind ruins his project. Luckily his friend Mary Ann, a resourceful squirrel, uses her arrow-shooting skills to rescue one balloon and save the day. This prompts Sam to finally realize what he is thankful for: time spent with his family and wonderful friends. This book will foster discussion about family traditions and gratitude. The author's note is an age-appropriate summary of the first Thanksgiving; it's followed by a page of interesting facts related to the holiday and its inception.—Jasmine L. Precopio, Fox Chapel Area School District, Pittsburgh, PA - Copyright 2013 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Booklist - 09/01/2013 An early education class made up of farm and forest animals discovers the history, traditions, and true meaning of Thanksgiving. Mrs. Wright, the teacher bear, asks the circle of students a question: “What one special thing about the holiday would you give thanks for?” This question gets class members rooting for football, sweet potatoes and marshmallows, and the relatively new ritual of “shopping.” Mrs. Wright asks who knows about the first Thanksgiving, and then sets the class to preparing for its own celebration. The only student stumped by the various questions is Sam the bear—he can think of neither his favorite Thanksgiving ritual nor a Thanksgiving project. But he manages, finally, to come up with a stunning combination of both when he unveils his replica of the Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons. Bolstered by warm watercolor cartoon illustrations, this book is a perfect delivery system for a wealth of knowledge about Thanksgiving, with the story suggesting that family and friends are the main things to be thankful for. - Copyright 2013 Booklist. Loading...
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