Thanksgiving in the Woods: Book Review and Giveaway

Written for children aged 4-8, Thanksgiving in the Woods is a lovely new title from Sparkhouse Publishing that tells the true story of a unique Thanksgiving celebration.

For more than twenty years, one family living in upstate New York has hosted an outdoor Thanksgiving feast in the woods on their farm. This is author Phyllis Alsdurf’s autobiographical story of this heart-warming celebration…

When fall winds blow cold

and jack-o-lanterns lose their smiles,

when branches lie bare,

and corn stalks rustle in the wind…

that’s when it’s time for Thanksgiving in the Woods.

So begins author Phyllis Alsdurf in her new, hardcover, children’s picture book, which tells this wonderful story through the eyes of a child. Thanksgiving in the Woods takes place every year on her brother and sister-in-law’s farm and attracts more than 200 people of all nationalities, different ages, and from varying walks of life, who come together to eat and sing and dance under the winter trees.

Told from a child’s perspective, the story is an endearing celebration of faith and family and friendship, captured in the simple but striking illustrations by Jenny Lovlie:

This delightful book is a true celebration of our commonality and all that is good and wonderful in the world.

Would you like to win a copy? All you have to do is comment on this post. The winners will be announced on this comment thread on Monday 6th November. Thanks to Sparkhouse Publishing for sponsoring the two-book giveaway. (If you share the post on Facebook, just let me know and I’ll enter your name twice.) 🙂

CONGRATULATIONS TO CHANDRA AND SHAR CARPENTER…YOU WON THE BOOKS!

Watch the inspiring one minute Thanksgiving in the Woods video.

Book signing events for Phyllis Alsdurf:

1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 11, at Excelsior Bay Books (Excelsior, MN)

11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 18, at Common Good Books (St. Paul, MN)

4 p.m. on Wednesday Nov. 22 at Little Book House (Albany NY)

Enter the fifth ‘Twas the Evening of Christmas Giveaway

53 thoughts on “Thanksgiving in the Woods: Book Review and Giveaway

  1. Darby Fetzer

    This is such a heart-warming approach to Thanksgiving. My daughter and son-in-law just purchased wooded property. Would be so wonderful to celebrate the original intent of this holiday in a rich and earthy way and in the simplicity of God’s landscape. I have purchased 2 Christmas books from Glenys. They are the best!

    Reply
  2. Diane Buie

    Thanks for a chance at this giveaway! Your book will be a lovely one to read to young children. I love the illustrations.

    Reply
    1. Glenys Post author

      Hi Diane, Thanks for commenting and entering the giveaway. Just to be clear, Thanksgiving in the Woods is not my book.I didn’t write it (although I am a children’s author.) I just reviewed it. I just wanted you to know : -)

      Reply
  3. Dema Kohen

    Illustrations look so warm and inviting. Would love to read the whole story. We have chosen to be a TV-free household, so books are our children’s favorite way of entertainment.

    Reply
  4. Deborah Boerema

    Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. Sandwiched between the more commercially profitable celebrations of Halloween and Christmas, however, I feel like it often gets overlooked. This book and the real-life event it describes both seem like beautiful ways to celebrate this blessed holiday.

    Reply
  5. Nancy Harvey

    I would love to win this to share with my grandchildren. This has almost become the forgotten holiday. We as a people need to stop and be thankful.

    Reply
  6. Rebecca Vincent

    Saw this over on Instagram. Yes, I would love to win a copy, but even if I don’t this looks like a great Thanksgiving story to add to our small but growing pile of children’s books about this holiday. What a fun story to celebrate and share! Thanks for highlighting it!

    Reply
  7. Leanne Valencia

    This looks like a wonderful book. Thanksgiving books are not as easy to find as other holiday books and this looks like an especially nice one!

    Reply
  8. Ashlea Barnett

    Just purchased ‘Twas the Evening of Christmas” and it’s wonderful! So happy to see there is also a Thanksgiving Book

    Reply
    1. Glenys Post author

      Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting Julie. I’m sorry, but the giveaway closed last night Please check back for more giveaways of Twas the Evening of Christmas, my latest book 🙂

      Reply

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