It's Thanksgiving!
📘 About This Book
Do you like holidays? Learn all about how and why people celebrate different holidays. Carefully leveled text and fresh, vibrant photos engage young readers in learning about the traditions and celebrations of the holiday of Thanksgiving. Age-appropriate critical thinking questions and a photo glossary help build nonfiction learning skills.
📖 Summary
It is Thanksgiving! by Tessa Kenan is a vibrant and engaging juvenile nonfiction book designed to introduce young readers to the traditions, history, and celebrations surrounding one of North America's most cherished autumn holidays. Published in 2016 and spanning twenty-seven pages, this book uses carefully leveled text alongside fresh, vibrant photographs to make learning accessible and exciting for children who are just beginning to explore the world of informational reading. The core idea of the book revolves around answering fundamental questions about holidays, specifically focusing on how and why people come together to observe Thanksgiving. Through colorful imagery and straightforward language, the author guides children through the various customs associated with the day, helping them connect the concepts on the page to their own lived experiences and family gatherings. Young readers are introduced to the classic symbols, foods, and community events that define the holiday, fostering an early appreciation for cultural traditions and shared gratitude. Beyond simply listing facts, the book is intentionally structured to build essential nonfiction learning skills. It incorporates age-appropriate critical thinking questions that encourage children to pause, reflect, and engage actively with the material rather than passively turning pages. These prompts invite young learners to think about what Thanksgiving means to them personally, how their own families celebrate, and why expressing thankfulness is an important part of the human experience. Additionally, the inclusion of a photo glossary serves as an invaluable educational tool, teaching children how to navigate nonfiction book structures by looking up key terms and matching them with visual representations. This feature not only reinforces vocabulary retention but also lays the groundwork for independent research and study habits that will benefit children as they progress through school. The visual presentation of It is Thanksgiving! is one of its strongest attributes. The photographs are bright, lively, and capture the genuine warmth, joy, and communal spirit of Thanksgiving celebrations. By seeing diverse people engaging in holiday traditions, young readers can easily visualize the concepts being taught and feel a sense of inclusion and representation. The pacing of the text is well-suited for early readers, striking a balance between informative content and readability that prevents children from feeling overwhelmed. Parents, teachers, and librarians will find this book to be a wonderful resource for seasonal lesson plans, holiday discussions, or simply encouraging a love of reading in children who prefer facts and real-world topics over fiction. Ultimately, Tessa Kenan has crafted a delightful, educational, and visually stimulating introduction to Thanksgiving that equips young learners with both holiday knowledge and foundational reading comprehension skills in a warm and inviting format.
🎯 Key Lessons
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
Features fresh and vibrant photographs that engage young learners
Includes age-appropriate critical thinking questions to promote deeper engagement
Provides a helpful photo glossary to build nonfiction reading skills
Uses carefully leveled text that is accessible for young readers
⚠️ Cons
Short page count may leave older or more advanced readers wanting more depth
Focused exclusively on Thanksgiving, limiting its year-round informational scope
❓ FAQ
Who wrote It is Thanksgiving? +
The book was written by Tessa Kenan.
When was the book published? +
It was published in 2016.
How many pages does the book have? +
The book contains 27 pages.
What genre is this book? +
It belongs to the juvenile nonfiction genre.
What special learning features are included? +
It includes carefully leveled text, vibrant photos, critical thinking questions, and a photo glossary.
