Book Review: 'Cranberry Thanksgiving' by Wende & Harry Devlin

✰✰✰✰½ Thanksgiving on the cranberry bog farm is Grandmother's favorite. Each year she encourages Maggie to invite someone to dinner who is lonely or poor. Grandmother herself has invited Mr. Horace, who uses a gold cane, smells of lavender, and is all alone. Maggie chooses to invite her friend, Mr. Whiskers. Grandmother is less than thrilled as she suspects that Mr. Whiskers is after her secret cranberry bread recipe. Nevertheless, Maggie is hopeful Grandmother will change her mind. When there is a scuffle in the dining room followed by both guests exiting quickly, it looks like Grandmother was right. Or was she? Things are not always as they appear, and Maggie knows the truth. Just when it looks like the recipe is gone for good, Grandmother is in for a surprise.

The Bottom Line: This book originally became popular in 1971, and now it's back. The illustrations in watercolor and ink have classic appeal. This delightful tale reminds readers what is truly important at Thanksgiving: family and friends. 

And as a bonus, the secret recipe for Grandmother's Famous Cranberry Bread is included on the back cover. I took the time to make this treat and found it to be yummy, but tart. Additionally, it's beautiful with crimson cranberries and golden raisins in every slice. While I prepared the recipe according to directions, I decided to use mini loaf pans instead and reduced the baking time to 40 - 42". 

Grandma's Famous Cranberry Bread

Both the book and the recipe are highly recommended for kids in grade school. Try making the delicious recipe by asking an adult to help. It's worth the effort and will become a new Thanksgiving tradition.

Details: Cranberry Thanksgiving written & illustrated by Wende & Harry Devlin. Picture book published by Purple House Press in 2012. 32 p. ISBN: 9781930900639