Thanksgiving (Holidays and Festivals)

Alice Flanagan has written more than 100 titles for children and teachers. Her books include holidays, phonics for beginning readers, career guidance, biographies of U.S. presidents and first ladies, and informational books about famous people and events in American history. Ms. Flanagan lives with her husband in Chicago, Illinois. As a writer/photographer team, they have published several books together. Their travels have taken them to many beautiful places and brought them many lifelong friends.

Grade 2-4-These books, which are particularly strong in the information category, address a number of topics over one or two spreads. The useful, accurate texts answer such questions as why we say, "Trick or Treat!" on Halloween or why the heart is a symbol of Valentine's Day. They are illustrated with full-page artwork. The pictures in Halloween feature bold colors and black outlines. Those in the other two titles are softer and less vibrant; Thanksgiving's are somewhat static. These titles are comparable to Gail Gibbons's nonfiction holiday offerings in their simplicity but have more information and are better organized.
Betsy Barnett, Eads School District, CO
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