‘Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving

The main goal of a parody is arguably to make fun of a person or an institution, but that does not preclude the presence of a message. Dav Pilkey's version follows the beats of the original poem, and encourages children to stand up against structural injustices and to challenge cultural norms. The humorous illustrations also contain references to famous paintings, for example Grant Wood’s American Gothic or van Gogh’s Starry Night.

'Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving
By Dav Pilkey
New York, NY: Scholastic, Inc., 2020
Nancy H. Marshall "A Visit From St. Nicholas" Collection
Rare Book PZ8.3 .P55867 Tw 2020

'Twas The Night Before Thanksgiving

The creator of this book is also the man behind the Captain Underpants series, which also combines humor with rebellion.

On the day before Thanksgiving, a group of children visit a turkey farm and meet Farmer Mack Nuggett and his coop of cockerels: Ollie, Stanley, Larry, Moe, Wally, Beaver, Shemp, and Groucho. The children and turkeys giggle and gobble, and everything is gravy. As the trip comes to an end, the children leave the farm with full hearts — and bulging bellies — reminding people and poultry alike that there is much to be thankful for. [Publisher's description]

'Twas The Night Before Thanksgiving