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Big Bob and the Thanksgiving Potatoes

Book Summary

Reviewed byWesley Sharpe
Second-graders Big Bob and Big Gloria are best friends. When their teacher asks the class to make turkey decorations for Thanksgiving, Big Bob and Big Gloria tell him they are vegetarians. His response? "Make Thanksgiving potatoes." Although written around a Thanksgiving theme, kids often want to read this funny, intelligent story, regardless of the season.

Is It Any Good?

3

In this funny, thought-provoking story, Bob mentions many disadvantages of being big that young readers may not have thought of, including the mean things other kids say. Author Daniel Pinkwater writes with humor and feeling, conveying Bob's difficulties in a way that will bring out children's empathy. Because Bob tells the story in first person, some readers may identify with him and learn to understand how he feels.

As a read-aloud, repetition and an odd avoidance of contractions sometimes make the language awkward, but most children reading to themselves will hardly notice. Jill Pinkwater's pictures are deceptively simple and have the look of something a talented child might draw. BIG BOB AND THE THANKSGIVING POTATOES encourages fluent and independent reading, and the book's excellent suggestions for helping your child before, during, and after reading the story will help you make the most of the experience.

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