A week ago I read a lovely new Thanksgiving story to my K-3 students:  One is a feast for a mouse:  A thanksgiving tale by Judy Cox, illustrated by Jeffrey Ebbeler.  This is a predictable tale of a mouse raiding the after-Thanksgiving dinner table.  Somewhat cumulative, his initial satisfaction with one pea as “a feast for me” quickly disintegrates as he spies a cranberry, and then an olive, and eventually the whole platter of leftover turkey.  The cumulative elements are reflected in both text and illustrations as he piles the items one atop the other, higher and higher.  A novel would be poorly rated if it was predictable and repetitious, but this creates the perfect K-3 read aloud! 

During the reading, when I was assured that the students were predicting the outcome of the mouse’s greedy balancing act, I stopped and shared with them what my mother would have said… “This is an accident waiting to happen.”  Students nodded sagely.  This is wisdom they have heard and understand!

Of course, Mouse loses everything at the end.  But wait!  The pea is still available… and his attitude is repaired.  “Give thanks!  One is a feast for me!”  Given the current economic times (at least as bemoaned by the media) I think the message of the book is timely.  We can all do with much less and still find much for which to be thankful!

“Give thanks!”