An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving is the Best Kind

Louisa May Alcott's Classic Children's Thanksgiving Tale is Timeless

Nov 3, 2009

Alcott's Thanksgiving story, written in the 1870s, remains a holiday classic. Updated in 2005 with illustrations by James Bernardin, the book will delight all ages.

An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving is a well told story of a loving family, strong work ethic and the joys of life for those “poor in money, but rich in land and love.” Alcott’s prose are rich and at times, poetic. She tells of everyday life in New Hampshire and without over-reaching; teaches the reader about resilience and pitching in to do the right thing.

James Bernardin’s illustrations are sumptuous. The richly detailed art provides a homey and comfortable setting for the Alcott prose. Bernardin is known for telling a story or narrative through his art. His storytelling talent is on display in the book as the entire story is retold in the illustrations.

The book is recommended for ages 5 to 8 years old, but the entire family will find the picture book endearing and charming. The reader is treated to a copy of Louisa May Alcott’s apple slump recipe on the last page of the book.

Plot Summary – An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving by Louisa May Alcott, Illustrations by James Bernardin

Thanksgiving morning, finds the Bassett family busily working together to prepare the meal. Mr. Chadwick arrives with news that Mrs. Basset’s mother is very ill. Mr. and Mrs. Basset must leave right away. Mother tells the children to have leftovers for dinner and apologizes for not being able to finish the dinner. As soon as the parent’s sleigh is out of sight, Tilly, the oldest daughter, mobilizes the others to produce the Thanksgiving feast.

Fortunately, Grandma wasn’t as ill as Mr. Chadwick thought and the aunts, uncle and cousins arrive just in time for Tilly’s feast. While there are a few problems with some of the dishes, the entire family is proud of the children and declares that the apple slump dessert is perfect.

"Bernardin’s energetic paintings convey the warmth and love of a shared holiday event." -- Publishers Weekly

The rich sentence construction and word choice of Ms. Alcott’s writing introduces the young reader to a model of formal, complex language that is not stilted or difficult to digest. Alcott does not underestimate her young audience. She challenges the reader with complex sentences and then delights with a bit of whimsy, “Tilly popped the pudding into the pot,” while keeping the story so enticing the reader does not want to miss one bit.

Here is a children’s book that dares to offer an example of the proper usage of will and shall when Ma Basset tells the children, “I shall come back the minute I can. Pa will come back this afternoon, so keep snug and be good.” If more grammar lessons came from Louisa May Alcott’s pen, accompanied by James Bernardin’s art, readers and writers would rejoice.

Bernardin’s art is extraordinary. The facial expressions are priceless. The youngest reader will have access to the story by reading the pictures.

This book is one to share with children to think about the true meaning of the Thanksgiving holiday and the joys of family.

Background 411 on Louisa May Alcott and James Bernardin

Alcott's early life is well known to readers of Little Women. Ms. Alcott told her story honestly and touchingly in the autobiographical story.

The apple slump recipe in An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving was provided by the official Louisa May Alcott Memorial Association and Orchard House. Apple slump was a popular dessert of the time and a favorite of the Alcott family. A slump is a baked or steamed fruit on the bottom dessert with a batter-based, cake-like topping.

James Bernardin is a well renowned illustrator working primarily on children’s books and book jackets for young adult and juvenile fiction. In researching this project, Bernardin says, " I enjoyed visiting many New England towns in search of period details."

Bernardin shares his perspective on how artists grow. “For many years I worked only in the traditional mediums of oil, acrylic and gouache but over the last decade I’ve adjusted my technique to include digital painting as well. This blend of traditional and digital opens up countless options for creativity and also allows me to hold onto the traditional methods I’ve come to love. I call it my happy medium.”

Louisa May Alcott’s An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving, illustrated by James Bernardin is worth adding to the home collection of holiday books. This classic is one of the best Thanksgiving holiday stories to be found.

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The copyright of the article An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving is the Best Kind in Children’s Books is owned by Lynn Brogan. Permission to republish An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving is the Best Kind in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.