Hi there! I’m Riley, and I’m here with my friend Craig Toby. We’re excited to share a fun story with you today. It’s all about Thanksgiving, and it’s called “Thanksgiving Rules” by Lori Friedman, with pictures by Theresa Murphy. Let’s dive into the story and learn some cool Thanksgiving tips!
Our story starts with Percy Isaac Gifford, who is super excited because it’s Thanksgiving Day! Percy loves this holiday and has some special rules to make it the best day ever. Let’s see what he has to say!
First, Percy tells us that moms like to make everything look nice for Thanksgiving. So, it’s important to get dressed quickly so you can start eating sooner. Remember to smile and say “pumpkin pie” to keep everyone happy!
Next, Percy says it’s good to help out with chores like cleaning and setting the table. It might not be the most fun, but it makes the meal come faster. Plus, it makes the grown-ups happy!
When family and friends arrive, it’s polite to greet them. But don’t worry, it doesn’t have to take long. A quick “hello” is just fine!
Make sure to get to the table early so you can enjoy all the yummy food. Percy calls this the “main event,” and you don’t want to miss it!
Now it’s time to fill your plate with delicious food. Start with turkey and gravy, and then add some sides like sweet potatoes, stuffing, and green beans. Don’t be afraid to try everything!
Thanksgiving is a great time to try new foods. Even if something looks funny, give it a taste. You might find a new favorite dish!
If you see any empty spots on your plate, fill them with dinner rolls. They’re perfect for soaking up all the tasty gravy!
Once you’ve finished your first plate, don’t be shy about going back for more. The second round is always a treat!
After the main meal, it’s time for dessert. Try a little bit of everything, like pies and cakes. It’s a sweet way to end the meal!
Thanksgiving is all about being thankful for the people you love. Percy likes to give everyone a big Thanksgiving hug to show how much he cares. You can do the same!
Craig has some extra tips too! He says to always thank your family for the delicious meal and to avoid napping after eating, so you don’t feel sleepy the next day.
We hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with fun, food, and family. Happy Thanksgiving!
Thanksgiving Plate Art: Create your own Thanksgiving plate using paper and crayons or markers. Draw all the foods you would like to have on your plate, just like Percy Isaac Gifford does. Think about the colors and shapes of each food item. Share your plate with a friend or family member and explain why you chose each food. This activity helps you think about the variety of foods and encourages creativity.
Helping Hands Chart: Make a chart with your family to list all the chores that need to be done before Thanksgiving dinner, like setting the table or cleaning up. Each time you help with a chore, put a sticker or draw a star next to it. See how many stars you can collect! This activity shows how helping out can make the day special and teaches responsibility.
Thankful Tree: Create a “Thankful Tree” using a small branch or draw one on paper. Cut out leaf shapes from colored paper and write something you are thankful for on each leaf. Attach the leaves to your tree. Share your tree with your family and talk about why you are thankful for each thing. This activity helps you reflect on gratitude and appreciate the people and things in your life.
Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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Hey, I’m Riley.
I’m Craig Toby. Welcome to Story Time with Ryan and Craig in Crypto. Remember, if you like what you see, follow us on Instagram or visit our website, RyanandCraig.com. You can watch all of our read-alouds there or send us a message.
I have a message: rules are meant to be broken. Come on, man, it’s a kid’s show!
Today’s book is “Thanksgiving Rules” by Lori Friedman, illustrated by Theresa Murphy.
Let’s get started!
Thanksgiving Rules by Lori Friedman, illustrated by Theresa Murphy.
I’m Percy Isaac Gifford. Today is Thanksgiving Day! This is my empty stomach, and this is the buffet Thanksgiving party. Yum!
But here’s a little secret: I’m a Thanksgiving pro! When it comes to Turkey Day, there’s nothing I don’t know. I promise you can too—just follow my simple rules. That’s all you have to do!
Thank goodness! Thanksgiving can be a tough holiday to navigate, and it’s really different for every family. But there are some universal rules we could all benefit from learning, and we’re going to share those with you so you can have a great holiday.
The first thing you must know: moms like to set a mood. They like to control everything from your clothing to the food, so wear whatever you have to from your head down to your feet. Remember, the sooner you get dressed, the sooner you can eat.
Rule number one: smile and say “pumpkin pie.”
Next, you have to get involved. Dads like when I volunteer. They say seeing me help out fills their hearts with cheer. Now, I know it’s no fun to sweep or clean or peel, but trust me when I tell you it’s the fastest way to the meal.
Rule number two: eat, drink, and then clean.
This is pretty good!
Yeah, we’re off to a pretty good start. I don’t know if these rules are universal, though.
Yeah, they’re not hitting every situation. It seems almost too specific.
Just a little, man. Here’s my rule number one: don’t use the guest bathroom in my house. You might be tempted because it’s right next to the kitchen, but it’s never been consistently working. Just wait your turn and use the other bathroom.
And for me, rule number two is always leave early when you’re going to Grandma’s house. The traffic can build up, so it’s really about leaving early specifically from my parents’ house to my grandma’s house.
After you’re done cleaning, I’m sure you’ll want to eat, but you can’t do that just yet. First, you have to greet. That means when family or friends arrive, you have to be polite. But here’s a helpful tip: it doesn’t have to take all night.
Rule number three: short equals sweet. I’m talking about an art form I call the quick hello—a simple friendly greeting, and then you’re good to go.
The place you should be heading is what I call the main event. It’s best to get there early.
Rule number four: the early bird gets the turkey.
Now, please take a moment and savor this part of your day. For my friend, you have arrived at the Thanksgiving feast!
Still don’t think it’s hitting a universal truth. These don’t apply to everybody, but I think that’s where I want to jump in and say my rule number three would be: when Aunt Karen comes over, just give her a quick high five. If you go in for a hug, you’re going to be there all day.
That’s a really good point, Craig.
Because rule number four for me specifically is: don’t sit in Grandpa Dave’s chair.
Oh, why?
Because Grandpa Dave sometimes doesn’t see you and he’ll just sit right on you!
Here’s where I could be most helpful: it’s time to fill your plate. Remember, the round thing in your hand can hold a lot of weight.
Rule number five: the more, the merrier! Start with piles of turkey. It’s best when nice and hot, then pour on a little gravy—better yet, pour on a lot!
From there, you’ll want to add a little something on the side. This part can be tricky, so stick with me; I’ll be your guide.
Thank you for the first take: sweet potatoes! Trust me, they taste good. Don’t be afraid of stuffing, even though it looks funny. Definitely try the green beans for color and cranberry sauce. If you don’t eat all of these, it will be your loss.
Rule number six: don’t be afraid to eat everything!
Now the time has come to issue my Thanksgiving decree: I officially command you to eat everything you see!
Eat beets, carrots, broccoli, pumpkin, squash, and yams. Eat soups, salads, pickles, chickens, ducks, and clams. Eat mushrooms, walnuts, almonds, figs, tomatoes, fish, veal, asparagus, corn, and mashed potatoes. Eat spinach, biscuits, cabbage, oysters, shrimp, and roast. Eat noodles, ham, eggplant, and caviar on toast. Eat liver, steak, onions, Brussels sprouts, and peas. And do not be afraid to say, “I’ll have lots more, please!”
Okay, not quite universal.
Rule number five for me would be: try Grandma’s savory fruit salad. I know you’re thinking, “Savory fruit salad? That doesn’t make sense!” But a lot of things don’t make sense until you try them.
Oh my gosh, how did I ever live without the savory fruit salad? It’s astounding!
Rule number six for me: remember that Grandpa Dave’s second cousin Robert is a vegan, so don’t eat the vegan mashed potatoes that are next to the regular mashed potatoes. Not because they’re not good, but because Robert won’t have anything to eat if they go away. You need to care about Robert because he’s family!
Your plate should now be close to full. Hopefully, there are holes. My advice: plug them up with piles of dinner rolls.
Rule number seven: don’t stop or drop—just take some rolls!
You’ve now got what you need. Go find a place to sit; it’s time to gobble up your dinner! Eat every single bit until your plate is squeaky clean.
Then, back for more! The second time around is something I adore.
Rule number eight: the second time is the charm!
Now for the finale: it’s time for dessert! Sampling some of everything really cannot hurt. You should try each type of pie, take every tart or cake, and show that you appreciate everyone who tried to bake.
Rule number nine: life is sweeter when you eat sweets!
And while we’re on the subject, appreciation is a big deal. Today’s a day to show you’re thankful—not just for the meal, but for your loved ones and what they mean to you.
So before Thanksgiving is over, there’s something I like to do: I give everyone around me their own Thanksgiving hug. I call it the Percy Isaac special, which means it’s big and snug.
Rule number ten: hugs make the heart grow fonder!
Almost everyone seems to like it; they almost always say how nice it is. But I must admit, over the years, I’ve been given some advice once or twice. It’s been suggested that I modify my technique, so I now provide the “over-eater special”: a simple light peck on the cheek.
Perfect!
Not good universal advice, though.
I’m sorry, but I do need to add one more rule.
Yes, please!
Rule number nine for me, which I think everybody should take to heart in terms of giving gratitude: my mom’s love language is words of affirmation. Say this verbatim, word for word, to every person you see on Thanksgiving Day: “Mrs. Toby, mother of mine, my rock, my one and only mother, thank you for putting in so much time into Thanksgiving dinner. I know it was tough because my brother Chris and I bickered a little bit. Okay, that’s just going to happen. You raised two headstrong boys. But thank you for not yelling at us. Thank you for making my favorite pumpkin pie. It was really good, just how I like it. Thank you so much for that. Thanks, Mom!”
That exact statement works in every scenario!
And I would just say one lighter note: rule number ten for me personally is: don’t nap! I once napped, and then the next day I was groggy.
So my concern is that if you nap, I will then be groggy.
So save me this Thanksgiving: eat all you want, but don’t nap!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Thanksgiving Rules by Lori Friedman, illustrated by Theresa Murphy.
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This version removes any inappropriate language and maintains the essence of the original transcript while ensuring it is suitable for all audiences.
