A Turkey for Thanksgiving

A Turkey for Thanksgiving by Eve Bunting is one of my favorite books to read to students in November.  I read it to grades Pre-K through 5th.  My 4th and 5th grade students are used to me reading picture books to them.  I always tell them, no one is ever too old to read a picture book.    

In case you are not familiar with the story, Mr. Moose is on a quest to find a Turkey for Mrs. Moose's Thanksgiving Table.  He enlists the help of Mr. Goat and Mr. Sheep and Mr. Rabbit and so on.  They finally find Mr. Turkey, but he is reluctant to join them at the table.  Can you blame him?  Rest assured, Mr. Turkey is able to say "Happy Thanksgiving"  at the end of the meal.  

Sometimes the things we are afraid of, turn out to be not so scary, after all is said and done.  The things we think will affect us dramatically turn out to be not quite so different than what we were hoping would happen.  Most importantly the people who we think are our friends, are probably always going to be our friends, no matter what. 

I love this time of year.  Fall.  Pumpkin and Caramel scents waft through in the air.  Families are gathering together to enjoy food and fellowship with one another before the crazy holiday frenzy begins.  This will truly be a year to reflect about what is important.  Sometimes conversations can become a little heated. Common sense, humility and empathy should ultimately always prevail.  Our differences are much smaller than our similarities and they always will be.   

Mrs. Moose insisted that Mr. Moose find a turkey for their table.  Even though they have never had a turkey before, she thought it was necessary for the table to be complete.  So, just as in the delightful book I described above, drag up whatever style of chair you can find and take a seat at the table.  Partake of the meal in fellowship with your good friends. Celebrate your differences. Dig in and enjoy!