HAPPY FRIENDSGIVING

An overview of a contemporary Thanksgiving spent with friends.

Arranged chronologically in sections ranging from “Friends Travel” and “Friends Prepare” to “Friends Help” and “Friends Love,” the bustling scenes are filled with people baking, making paper turkeys from traced hands, attending a parade, watching or playing football, feasting, and, at last, cleaning up. There are no references to pilgrims here; rather, the inclusive compositions feature characters who vary in skin tone, hairstyles, and facial features enjoying one another’s company and the holiday’s bounty. The warm, autumnal designs are reminiscent of Grandma Moses’ domestic tableaux with their disregard of traditional perspective in favor of showing everyone and everything, particularly in the views around the dinner tables. The text is descriptive and sensory, although without much attention to cadence: “Someone brought a card table. / The neighbors borrowed chairs. / It’s snug around our mismatched feast. / We wouldn’t have it any other way.” Judging from an image of what appears to be a Macy’s-esque parade, the urban setting is New York City and its environs. Rather than focusing on a single protagonist, the story centers on the hustle and bustle of the group. A nice touch involves first responders, health care personnel, and others who have to work receiving gratitude and treats.

A delightful, inclusive, modern-day depiction of holiday celebrations with a family of choice.