Debby Atwell wrote a book revolving around the true spirit of Thanksgiving - opening your home and sharing a meal with others.  When an elderly couple's Thanksgiving dinner burns, they find themselves at the New World Cafe.   Although the door is open, the table seems to be set for a family dinner. The family of immigrants wonders why the door is open, but welcomes Ann and Ed into their home for an evening of food, dancing, and laughter despite misgivings.  When the couple returns home having had the best Thanksgiving they can remember, the immigrant family discovers a potato had propped open their door.   Was it an accident, or were mysterious forces at work?  Find out when you read The Thanksgiving Door.  

Oh My Gosh...I'm A Squash!

Dave Horowitz created a great fall book - The Ugly Pumpkin.  The poor Ugly Pumpkin waited all October and into November for someone to take him home.  When he wanted a treat, he always ended up being tricked.  He was rejected by kids, a skeleton, and a forest of trees.  Finally, the Ugly Pumpkin leaves his patch and discovers who he is just in time for Thanksgiving!


I am the ugly pumpkin
as you can plainly see.
Of one hundred thousand pumpkins,

none are quite like me.

Last Halloween Book

Ivy received a gift for Halloween - a lovely copy of The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid Of Anything by Linda D. Williams.  A little old lady, possessing no fears, was taking a walk in the woods when she heard some mysterious noises.  Over the course of the book, she saw and hears many noises and their causes - pants going "WIGGLE, WIGGLE" and a shirt going "SHAKE, SHAKE", etc.  Will the little old lady succumb to her fears?

Halloween

With two days left until the big day, Ivy has some suggestions.  Be sure to hit up Barnes and Noble for their 50% off Halloween sale!

The Berenstein Bears:  Trick or Treat is an oldie but goodie.  Ivy finds the antics of the cubs endearing, and is quite enchanted with the idea that appearances can be deceiving.  As Brother and Sister head out for trick-or-treating, there is one house they will avoid - the house of old witch Miz McGrizz.  When Miz McGrizz opens the door of her gnarled old tree house, what will the cubs discover?

Ivy continues to adore the antics of Froggy.  In Froggy's Halloween, Froggy just cannot decide what he should be for Halloween.  When he finally decides upon his costume, the positive reaction from Frogilina and the other girls is a bit more than he can handle!  The trials and tribulations of being a young and handsome frog!

Room on the Broom

With Halloween fast approaching, it is time to review Halloween books!  Ivy just received a wonderful book for her birthday from one of her friends called Room on the Broom by Axel Scheffler.  Normally witches scare Ivy, but the illustrations are just so appealing.  An young witch and her cat are flying through the air when her hat blows away.  An adorable dog finds the hat, but wants to join them on the broom.  As more items fall off and more new friends join on the stick, the situation becomes more and more precarious.  Will the broomstick be able to fit all of the witch's new friends?  Find out!!

Amelia Bedelia and the Baby

Ivy just loves babies and is really looking forward to being a big sister.  She loves any book about babies.  In Peggy Parish's Amelia Bedelia and the Baby, Amelia has to babysit for a baby named Missy.  Since Amelia doesn't know much about babies, she is relived that Mrs. Lane leaves her a list.  As usual, Amelia misunderstands all of the directions.  The ensuing hilarity is a page turner for Ivy.  She constantly wants to play Amelia Bedelia and Missy.

City Dog, Country Frog

Ivy has been rereading old favorites since moving.  However, this week we were able to go to the library only to discover a new "friend"- City Dog, Country Frog. When City Dog goes to the country for the first time, he meets a new friend - Country Frog.  As the seasons pass, the two friends introduce each other to their favorite games - fetching, hopping, etc.  When City Dog visits the country in winter, he is not able to find his friend.  Will frog return in the spring?  This is a rather heartbreaking tale of friendship, loss, and the ultimate renewal of the spirit.  I was quite surprised to find Ivy fascinated by it.  She, in fact, keeps returning to the desolate winter pages when City Dog is mournfully waiting for his friend.  Although a bit depressing in nature, the beautiful water colors and uplifting ending make the story engaging.  I was surprised to find this book to be by the author Mo Williams.  He is known for his more lighthearted books such as his pigeon series.