Thanksgiving is right around the corner! For many families, it’s a wonderful time of food, festivities and reunions with loved ones. But in today’s hectic world of deadlines and obligations, our loved ones’ busy schedules don’t always align with our own.
It’s that very situation that Carole P. Roman depicts in her timely read, Mrs. Rabbit’s Friendsgiving Dinner. In this warmhearted story, readers will learn that even an unconventional holiday celebration is worth having.
A LAST-MINUTE CELEBRATION
Mrs. Rabbit isn’t looking forward to this year’s Thanksgiving. With her family unavailable to celebrate together, it looks like she’s in for a very lonely holiday. With a sigh, she begins to prepare her famous carrot stew — only to realize that she’s prepared far too much for just one rabbit!
When things start to seem like they’ll never go her way, Mrs. Rabbit hears a knock at her door. It’s her neighbor, Gary Gopher, who’s brought over his own dinner. “I know you are alone,” he tells her, “and I thought you might want to share my holiday dinner with me.” Thrilled for the company, Mrs. Rabbit invites him in — but as soon as she has closed the door, there’s another knock!
Soon Olivia Owl, Sally Sparrow, and Petey and Petunia Possum have all congregated at the dining table with dishes of food from each of their homes. It turns out that despite Mrs. Rabbit’s worries, this Thanksgiving didn’t turn out to be lonely at all! Her spirits lifted by her companions, Mrs. Rabbit announces that this year will be the start of a new tradition: a yearly Friendsgiving!
ACCEPTING AND ENJOYING THE UNEXPECTED
Try as we might, the best-laid plans don’t always come to pass. Whether a flight gets canceled or a family member can’t attend, it can be hard for kids to cope with the disappointment of an event they’ve been looking forward to. But thanks to Mrs. Rabbit and her friends, readers can understand that even when the holiday takes an unexpected turn, it can still be a fun celebration.
And of course, just because Mrs. Rabbit’s Friendsgiving Dinner is meant for kids doesn’t mean the adults can’t learn, too. The holidays are a time of joy and celebration, yes, but they’re also stressful! Expectations are high, and whether you’re panicking about how the roast turkey tastes or whether the house is clean enough for the in-laws, it can be a lot to handle. It seems that readers of every age have something to learn from Mrs. Rabbit’s Friendsgiving celebration.
With kindhearted characters and Mateya Arkova’s whimsical illustrations, the charm of the Hundred Acre Wood meets the moral of A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. Mrs. Rabbit’s Friendsgiving Dinner reminds everyone that a holiday doesn’t need to be perfect for it to be a great time.
About Carole P. Roman:
Carole P. Roman is the award-winning author of over fifty children’s books. Whether it’s pirates, princesses, or discovering the world around us, her books have enchanted educators, parents, and her diverse audience of children.
She hosts two blog radio programs and is one of the founders of a new magazine, Indie Author’s Monthly. She’s been interviewed twice by Forbes Magazine. Carole has co-authored a self-help book, Navigating Indieworld: A Beginners Guide to Self-Publishing and Marketing. Oh Susannah is her first Early Reader Chapter book series. She lives on Long Island with her husband and near her children and grandchildren.
