When I searched through my books for Thanksgiving activities, I came upon this wonderful little story, Silly Tilly's Thanksgiving Dinner. It's one of those books that I fondly remember from several years ago when my daughter was first learning to read. Tilly is such an endearing little mole. She is so forgetful, and her antics in the book really make children smile. She forgets to send out the Thanksgiving invitations (sending recipe cards instead because her glasses are foggy!), and when Thanksgiving arrives (and she hasn't cooked anything) she thinks no one will show up. Instead, everyone shows up with their recipe in hand and it's a wonderful Thanksgiving.
I read the book to my five year old this morning, and then I let him read it to me when I had finished. There are so many opportunities to be EXPRESSIVE in this book. My little guy had fun acting out each character's part. The cast includes Silly Tilly, Mrs. Squirrel, Mr. Woodchuck, Mr. Chipmunk, Mr. Rabbit, Mrs. Fieldmouse, and Mr. Turkey (who is not eaten, but brings along his special corn for popping).
To my delight, we found a song that goes with the story. I sang it to the tune of "Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush":
Here we go over to Silly Tilly's,
On Thanksgiving Day.
Mrs. Squirrel brought acorn jam,
Acorn jam, acorn jam,
Mrs. Squirrel brought acorn jam,
On Thanksgiving Day.
Mr. Woodchuck brought nut cake,
Brought nut cake, brought nut cake,
Mr. Woodchuck brought nut cake,
On Thanksgiving Day.
Mr. Chipmunk brought cranberry stew,
Cranberry stew, cranberry stew,
Mr. Chipmunk brought cranberry stew,
On Thanksgiving Day.
Mrs. Fieldmouse brought oat bran pudding,
Oat bran pudding, oat bran pudding,
Mrs. Fieldmouse brought oat bran pudding,
On Thanksgiving Day.
Mr. Bunny brought potato pie,
Potato pie, potato pie,
Mr. Bunny brought potato pie,
On Thanksgiving Day.
Mr. Turkey brought corn to pop,
Corn to pop, corn to pop,
Mr. Turkey brought corn to pop,
On Thanksgiving Day.
It was the very best Thanksgiving,
Best Thanksgiving, best Thanksgiving,
It was the very best Thanksgiving
The animals had ever had!
This post is linked to Teach Me Tuesday over at Bokros Kind of Life - check out what other teaching is going on today!
