Eileen Spinelli

The path to Thanksgiving dinner doesn't run smooth for the Tappleton family in this amusing holiday picture-book, as one disaster after another destroys all of the traditional dishes, from turkey to pies. Although each family member attempts to hide their own role, in failing to produce the expected delicacies, when everyone sits down to dinner, the truth is revealed. Then Grandmother Tappleton steps in with her blessing, reminding the family what Thanksgiving is supposed to really be show more about...

Although I do understand some of the online criticism I have read of Thanksgiving at the Tappletons' - it mostly centers around the lying the family does, after each mishap - I have to say that I had a different interpretation. It is an unfortunate reality that many people panic, after having made a mistake, or done something wrong, and attempt to cover it up. If anything, the story here demonstrates that such efforts are futile in the long run, as whatever one is attempting to hide will inevitably come to light. The humorous treatment of this theme, and the heartwarming resolution, which emphasizes the importance of family rather than feast, makes this an engaging holiday story for me. The artwork by Maryann Cocca-Leffler looks a little old-fashioned (especially the haircuts!), but does capture the humor of the story. I understand that the text of this version, published in 2015, is somewhat edited, and that the artwork, done in 1992, is different from the original 1982, making me curious to see the first edition. I'm not sure I'm curious enough to track it down, but it did make me wonder what changes had been made. Recommended to anyone looking for Thanksgiving picture-books that emphasize family togetherness in a humorous way. show less

Sophie was a spider with a gift. Her webs were wondrous works of art: beautiful gossamer creations, woven in intricate patterns. But despite her undeniable talent, and a warm heart that prompted her to help others, the residents at Beekman's Boardinghouse simply didn't appreciate her, or her work. The landlady screamed when she saw Sophie weaving curtains for the front room, the tugboat captain climbed out onto the roof to get away from her, and the cook called her an "ugly, disgusting show more spider." Was there any place for a gentle arachnid who simply wanted to share the beauty of her creations with others...?

A lovely little book, Sophie's Masterpiece is the story of a generous soul who finally finds someone who will accept her, and appreciate her gift. The concluding episode of Spinelli's narrative is very moving, without ever descending into sentimentality. Jane Dyer's watercolor illustrations are a delightful accompaniment to the text. Thanks for recommending this one, Kathryn! show less

When Wanda becomes convinced that a monster is living in her closet, her parents do everything they can to convince her that there isn't, while her older brother makes fun of her for believing in monsters in the first place. Only her Granny believes her, suggesting that perhaps, rather than being afraid of the monster, Wanda should consider how it feels to live in a cold, dark closet. And so begins Wanda's gradual "adoption" of her monster, as she slowly shares her blessings - a soft pillow, show more a stuffed panda bear, the gift of stories - with her closeted friend. When Granny announces that the monster will soon be moving on, Wanda is distraught - until she thinks of the perfect new home for him...

Comparisons between Wanda's Monster and Mercer Mayer's There's a Nightmare in My Closet are probably inevitable, as both show a young child coping with their fear of the "thing" that lives in the closet - a thing that turns out to be as frightened as they are themselves. I appreciated the fact that Eileen Spinelli's heroine never really sees her monster, content to interact with him at a safe distance, as it underscores the fact that some things - even if we conquer our fear of them - remain a mystery. I also really liked that Wanda passes on the gift of compassion and insight, when it is her cousin Ruthie who is afraid. The watercolor illustrations by Nancy Hayashi are quite appealing, emphasizing the warmth of the family dynamic, rather than the sinister "what's in the closet?" aspect of the story. All in all, an engaging little book, ideal for those children who are afraid of the dark. show less

One last Thanksgiving book for the year!

The Tappleton family has a series of misadventures as each one tries to prepare their part of the Thanksgiving feast. It's amusing to watch the pathetic deceptions each one uses to cover up their mistakes and how they are found out.

It's also amusing that the publisher had the art redrawn, changing the original human family to a family of anthropomorphized wolves. I have to say it was a good move, as I like this version while the original version left show more me feeling meh.

(FYI: The original illustrator has posted about her negative feelings about the art change here. show less