This is one of two titles by Elizabeth Hough Sechrist that I have always treasured (the other being "Heigh-Ho for Hallowe'en!" which is sadly still out of print). I first found her work, appropriately enough, when I was a child. Several of her books about holidays were in our children's library at school, and they were that type of book which I had to check out again and again because they were so interesting.

This title, "It's Time for Thanksgiving" offers up a wide range of stories, poems, and plays centered on the theme of Thanksgiving. Guy Fry's fun illustrations are sprinkled throughout the book, and never fail to bring a smile.

There is a story of young people in pioneer days preparing the Thanksgiving feast while their parents are not at home, and they have visitors drop by who they have been taught to fear; Indian visitors (I know the term isn't PC, but the book is very respectful, otherwise)! Another tale revolves around children charged with making pumpkin pies, but a simple miscommunication leads to more pies than they can handle! A boy's pet goose is slated for the chopping block and Thanksgiving dinner, until fate intervenes. And a fun play has a little boy who overeats on Turkey Day put on trial by food!

The stories are rich and imaginative, always fun and simple. The tales have the definite feel of the mid-fifties, which in my humble opinion make them so much better than the types of things served up and force-fed to kids today. You just knew that Ms. Sechrist and her co-author, Jannette Woolsey, really loved and understood the world of children and the excitement of holidays, and her work (unlike commercialized junk like "Barney"), was not just an excuse to mass-market toys.

Coming back into print after all these years! Let us hope more of Elizabeth Hough Sechrist's work will be made available once again! Hurrah, Omnigraphics!