The Thanksgiving Visitor is Best Bet Read-Aloud

Truman Capote's Classic Picture Book Draws Portrait of Compassion

Nov 11, 2009

The Thanksgiving Visitor picture book is an exquisite venue for parents and children to explore themes of compassion, bullying and the true meaning of friendship.

The picture book version of Truman Capote’s The Thanksgiving Visitor makes a powerful read-aloud for 8-year-olds and up. Capote’s southern voice, delicious sentences and enthralling storytelling are enhanced by Beth Peck’s wistful oil paintings. Capote's stunning autobiographical story delves into empathy and friendship. The book can be read and enjoyed as a great story or used to begin conversations with children about compassion and revenge.

The themes in the book speak directly to issues that children experienced in the 1930’s and experienced today. Bully and bystander behavior, seeking revenge, compassion for the difficult lives some children must live and the meaning of true friendship and love are timeless concerns. Capote invites parents and children to talk about these themes using his own life story.

Read-Aloud Editorial Recommendations

Publishers Weekly (1996) recommends The Thanksgiving Visitor as an excellent read-aloud. “With Peck's wistful, muted paintings, Capote's brilliantly polished reminiscence makes a moving holiday read-aloud for older children. . . Without a drop of schmaltz, Capote explores issues of graciousness, compassion and forgiveness. “

“This story is meant to be read aloud, and Capote's elegant and precise Southern voice is very much in evidence. His wonderfully vivid figures of speech (a tub of chrysanthemums is "...heavier than forty fat pirates") and his formal tone will appeal to youngsters who are ready for a more sophisticated experience,” reports the School Library Journal (1996).

The Themes of Friendship and Love

Seven-year-old Buddy lives with four elderly cousins. He and his sixty-something cousin, Miss Sook are best friends. Miss Sook is “a child herself, . . . she understood children, and understood me absolutely.” The friendship between Buddy and Miss Sook provides parents an opportunity to talk about aging family members and the childlike behaviors they might display.

Miss Sook cares enough to tell Buddy when he is doing something wrong. At the time, hearing the truth from Miss Sook is very difficult, but in the end Buddy comes to understand her action as one of love. This concept can be challenging to discuss with children. The book’s elegant example gives parents and children a non-emotional platform to discuss love means sometimes having to hear difficult messages and face up to one’s own hurtful actions.

The Theme of Bullying and By-Standers

Buddy’s nemesis at school is skinny, red-haired, big eared, 12 year-old second grader, named Odd Henderson. Odd picks on Buddy everyday and other children stand around laughing. Conversations about bullies, about being bullied and the role of by-standers are very important to have with children. Bullying is so prevalent; most schools now teach about dealing with bullies. The Thanksgiving Visitor gives the reader an up-close look at one bully and the motivations for the behavior. The opportunities for conversation are many with the examples Capote provides.

The Themes of Empathy and all Sides of the Story

Buddy repeatedly tells Miss Sook about Odd's bully behavior. Miss Sook thinks that if Buddy and Odd get to know each other, they might become friends. Miss Sook is too shy to attend church, but she finds her courage and walks to the Henderson home to invite Odd to Thanksgiving dinner. The description of the Henderson home gives the reader insight into some of the things going on in Odd’s life. These scenes give parents a chance to talk about looking at the facts from all perspectives and getting all sides of the story. Conversations about empathy and understanding follow naturally.

The Themes of Revenge and Compassion

Buddy finally gets his chance for revenge when Miss Sook invites Odd to the family Thanksgiving dinner. Buddy learns a lesson about deliberate cruelty and its ramifications. Compassion and its long term effects can be explored through the ending of the story.

Drawing on universal emotions, The Thanksgiving Visitor is a poignant story that allows parents and children to explore compassion and forgiveness. This holiday read-aloud could become a family favorite.

HOL101

The copyright of the article The Thanksgiving Visitor is Best Bet Read-Aloud in Parenting Resources is owned by Lynn Brogan. Permission to republish The Thanksgiving Visitor is Best Bet Read-Aloud in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.