Just a Snowy Day by Mercer Mayer (HarperFestival, 2006)

Little Critter wants to go out and play in the snow. He puts on his smooth, shiny boots, his hat with the fuzzy pom-pom, and his coat with the warm, fuzzy lining. As he gets dressed, young readers can feel his boots, hat, and coat in this cute, interactive book.

Very young readers will love playing with Little Critter as he has fun in the snow, warms up inside, and goes to bed.  Open the door for Little Critter. Make him wobble on the ice. Feel the smooth, shiny icicles. Give his sled a pull. Smell his hot chocolate. Help him take a shower by pulling the shower curtain open. And finally, tuck him into bed with a warm, soft blanket.

This is a good lap book for adults and kids to enjoy together.

Just So Thankful by Mercer Mayer (HarperFestival, 2006)

From the well-known Little Critter series comes this new title, Just So Thankful. Little Critter wants a Super Streak Scooter, but doesn’t have enough money to buy it. Instead of being thankful for all the toys he does have as his mother suggests, he sulks because he can’t have the terrific scooter.

Then a new kid moves into the neighborhood, and wow! He’s riding a Super Scooter. In fact, the new boy, H.H., has tons of wonderful toys — and a maid, a cook, a swimming pool, his own cell phone, and more. Little Critter and his friends have a great time at H.H.’s house, and wish they were so lucky.

Little Critter can’t imagine why H.H. would want to play at his house. He’d be so bored without all the cool stuff to play with. But Little Critter invites him over anyway. That’s when Little Critter learns through H.H.’s eyes that he’s a lucky critter, too, and has a whole lot to be thankful for.

This book would make a nice read-aloud to help kids understand the concept of being thankful. Sometimes what looks like “no fair” to us looks like “wow, you’re lucky” to someone else.
One quibble that readers may have with this Little Critter book is the stereotypical way in which gender roles are depicted: boys roughouse, make messes, like dogs, and wear blue. Girls are neat, play with tea sets, like cats, and wear pink. Women wear long dresses, while men wear pants. Parents and teachers might use the illustrations to discuss gender roles.

This book is also available in Spanish: Tan Agradecido.

I Am the Turkey by Michele Sobel Spirn, illustrated by Joy Allen (HarperTrophy, 2004).

Mark’s second grade class is going to put on a Thanksgiving play. Mark hopes he’ll get a good part: a Pilgrim, maybe, or an Indian. To his surprise, he’s assigned the role of a turkey. His teacher says it’s a good part because without a turkey, there can’t be a Thanksgiving. But oh, boy! When the other kids find out that he’s a turkey, the teasing begins: “Mark’s the class turkey!” Mark’s brother chimes right in. “The Pilgrims and Indians eat you,” he reminds Mark.

Mark tries everything to get out of being a turkey. Still, the show must go on, and before the end of the show, Mark learns that turkeys are important. Sometimes a turkey can save the whole show!

With its bright, whimsical illustrations by Joy Allen and its accessible language, this seasonal book will appeal to young readers who are ready for a little challenge. It’s also a great read-aloud book for the Thanksgiving season.