Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-K--A new addition to Pookie and Mom's adventures, and they are getting ready for a Thanksgiving feast. At the center of their holiday celebration is food, family, and an abundance of gratitude. Pookie and Mom move about their kitchen, noting some of the important steps on their pie-making journey. "Here's a spoon and a bowl. We will both wash our hands, then we're ready to roll! … 1 apple, 1 pumpkin are the pies we are making." Pookie and Mom take pride in their preparations and cannot wait to welcome their three dinner mates. Once their meal is done, they take turns sharing what they are thankful for. "I am thankful for midnight, and moonlight, and stars." "I am thankful for family, and being together." This book is a direct introduction to gratitude for the youngest listeners and readers, softly wrapped in the charm of Boynton's accessible sketches, pig characters, and primary and complementary colors. VERDICT A board book worthy of addition to home and early education libraries.--Maegen Rose
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Review by Horn Book Review
On Thanksgiving Day, Little Pookie (Spooky Pookie; Merry Christmas, Little Pookie) helps make apple and pumpkin pies and sets the table with his parents before Nemmy and Boppa arrive. After dinner, the pig family members each share what they're thankful for, with Pookie's closing "and pie" leading to a joyful dessert-eating finale. The simple rhyming text features excited asides from Pookie ("Ooo! Butter!") that fans of this series, especially young listeners, should enjoy along with Boynton's ever-pleasing signature illustrations. A board book embracing family togetherness to be "so thankful for" this season. Cynthia K. Ritter November/December 2022 p.13(c) Copyright 2022. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Pookie and family celebrate Thanksgiving. Boynton's precocious little pig is back in this holiday installment. The family gets ready for Thanksgiving by baking pies, welcoming Nemmy and Boppa for dinner, and sharing gratitude (and pie!). Boynton's familiar rhyming text and simple, thick-lined illustrations are exactly what readers have come to expect from this series: Pookie is a little silly, the story bounces along, and the artwork is warm and cozy. Though most of the action takes place inside, the passage of day is clear through the window, from daylight to the setting sun. Decorations and a tree with just a few leaves on it indicate the autumnal season. There are two pages where numbers are called out, presented differently from the rest of the typeface (Pookie and their parents prepare apple pie and one pumpkin pie, and there will be five guests at dinner). The only bolded digits are one and five, even though the text does mention that there will be a total of two pies--a stylistic choice that seems to point readers to counting practice but that feels a bit random. Overall, though, this is a worthy new story about one of Boynton's most beloved characters. True to form, it's a toddler-friendly read, providing context for the festivities and a sweet representation of gratitude. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Exactly what readers want and expect from the board-book master. (Board book. 1-3) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
