Thanksgiving is almost here, which makes it the perfect time to share a list of the best Thanksgiving books for kids!
If you’re in Canada like me, this weekend is all about yummy turkey dinners and delicious pumpkin pie. While Americans have a little bit longer to look forward to all the great food, this list of books is something we can all look forward to now!
These Thanksgiving picture books are so much fun! Whether you’re looking for some read alouds for the classroom or some cute family stories, this list is for you.
From funny stories about turkeys to classic stories, these are the best Thanksgiving books for kids. Trust me, you don’t want to miss out on them!
If Thanksgiving isn’t as exciting for you, you don’t want to miss the best Halloween books for kids — it’s sure to get you in the spooky spirit!
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The Best Thanksgiving Books for Kids
This silly rhyming story about ten turkeys teaches children how to count backwards.
“Looky!” says a silly turkey swinging from a vine.
Gobble gobble wibble wobble.
Whoops! Now there are nine.
Girls and boys will gobble up this hilarious story about ten goofy turkeys and their silly antics: swinging from a vine, strutting on a boar, doing a noodle dance, and more. Veteran author Tony Johnston has written a joyful text, which first-time illustrator Richard Deas brings to life as wild and wacky fun!
Celebrate Thanksgiving with Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the rest of the Peanuts gang in this retelling of the beloved Thanksgiving TV special!
When Peppermint Patty invites herself (and most of her friends) to Charlie Brown’s house for Thanksgiving dinner, Charlie Brown reluctantly agrees to make a holiday feast even though he can barely make toast and cold cereal! Can he pull together a memorable meal, or will he and his friends just be grateful when it’s over?
Humour • Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Celebrate Thanksgiving with Arthur! When Arthur is picked to direct his school’s Thanksgiving play, all his friends beg him for the lead role. But not everyone can be the star, and someone has to be the turkey! Can Arthur find the perfect lead, the perfect turkey, and save the day?
Biography • Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
A Sibert Medal-winning picture book biography and perfect Thanksgiving Day read about the invention of the first balloons for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade! From Caldecott honor artist Melissa Sweet.
Everyone’s a New Yorker on Thanksgiving Day, when people from every corner of the country rise early or tune in to see what giant new balloons will fill the skies for Macy’s annual Thanksgiving Day Parade. In Balloons Over Broadway, Caldecott honor artist Melissa Sweet brings the inspirational story of Tony Sarg, a self-taught immigrant with a wildly creative dream that invented those balloons, to life.
The story takes readers through every step of Sarg’s journey — from his childhood love of creating marionettes, to the moment this brilliant idea was born in his head, all the way up to the invention of these enchanting floating balloons. Sweet brilliantly captures the essence of Sarg through her signature collage illustrations and thoughtful storytelling. Balloons over Broadway will capture the hearts of all ages sitting around the dinner table, on Thanksgiving Day and every day.
With his grandparents away, Franklin is worried that there will be more food for Thanksgiving than his family can possibly eat. When he learns that his teacher and his mother will be having Thanksgiving dinner alone, he quickly invites them to his house as a surprise for his own mother. However, when Thanksgiving arrives, everyone is surprised Franklin’s mother and father have also invited their own secret guests!
A cozy autumn picture book, featuring a sweet and universal take on Thanksgiving — the perfect treat for fall.
The leaves are falling, the air is crisp, and Berry, Ginger, and Willow are enjoying the delights of fall. When these old friends join with new friends to bask in the bounty of the season, there is a lot to be thankful for — and a new tradition is born … Friendsgiving!
From the author and illustrator team of Snow Much Fun! comes another seasonal celebration for young readers.
Turkeys • Sourcebooks Wonderland
A New York Times Bestseller!
From the bestselling How to Catch series comes a festive turkey tale!
A turkey is running loose in a school right before a Thanksgiving play. Can YOU help catch it? Follow along as students turn their school upside down trying to catch the turkey, ending with a twist that ensures no turkeys are harmed (or eaten!).
Thanksgiving time is here again,
but there’s a turkey on the run!
Can you catch this tricky bird
before the school play has begun?
Family and friends, with grins ear to ear, gather together — Thanksgiving is here!
Thanksgiving books for kids teach us about coming together with our loved ones and to give thanks for all that we have. I Am Thankful is an adorable, rhyming standout in Thanksgiving books for kids that follows three different families as they celebrate this wonderful holiday with their own traditions, acts of kindness, and ways of giving back.
Kids will learn how to be thankful for the people and world around them as they delight in the warm, sweet illustrations that show diverse families and exciting Thanksgiving adventures. This heartfelt, poetic story will show young ones the meaning of giving and sharing.
Animals • Farrar, Straus and Giroux
What if animals did what YOU do? This sweet picture book story, a follow-up to If Animals Kissed Good Night, describes how animals might show their gratitude!
If animals gave thanks … what would they do? Raccoon would chir-chirrrr thanks for her cub. Crow would loop and swoop in the sky. And Bear would invite his friends to a bountiful feast. Across the animal kingdom, every creature would be grateful for food, family, and being together.
This is another winner from Ann Whitford Paul and David Walker, perfect for the fall season.
Little Critter has charmed readers for over forty years.
Now he is going to have a Thanksgiving he’ll never forget! From the school play to a surprise dinner for all of Critterville, celebrate along with Little Critter and his family as they give thanks this holiday. Starring Mercer Mayer’s classic, loveable character, this brand-new storybook is perfect for story time and includes a sheet of stickers!
Mickey is hosting Thanksgiving.
But the only food he remembered to get is turkey. Find out what happens in this interactive touch-and-feel board book!
Join Pete in New York Times bestselling author James Dean’s Pete the Cat picture book series as Pete celebrates Thanksgiving in this groovy lift-the-flap book!
Starring in the school Thanksgiving play would make even the coolest cat nervous. But when Pete the Cat gets onstage, he makes learning the story of the first Thanksgiving fun. With thirteen flaps that open to reveal hidden surprises, this book is sure to be a holiday favorite for every Pete the Cat fan.
Turkeys • Cartwheel Books
A sweet story about the importance of family, being thankful, and loveas told by a family of turkeys, with a hilarious surprise at the end!
“It’s late in November, the blue sky is clear,
and Thanksgiving Day is finally here.
So many hugs and so many kisses.
So many ‘Happy Thanksgiving’ wishes.”
A family gathers to celebrate all that they’re grateful for. But wait, there’s a twist! This funny, rhyming read-aloud story features turkeys who celebrate Thanksgiving! The Turkey clan arrives from all over the world, excited for their annual feast. But what will they eat?
It turns out everyone is thankful … for Thanksgiving corn!
A Thanksgiving story celebrating the gift of friendship!
Mini is the littlest Pilgrim in her village.
Too little to sew.
Too little to bake.
Too little to fish.
But she’s not too little to make a friend.
Kirsten Richards’ adorable art brings to life this Pilgrim friendship tale; perfect for Thanksgiving, or anytime!
Everyone’s favorite fun-filled, family-filled, food-filled holiday is almost here! Follow along as the feast is prepared, cousins are greeted, and everyone gathers around the table, all with an extra helping of holiday fun.
Everyone knows that Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks — the question is, where to begin? From the turkey on the table to warm, cozy cuddles, life is full of small things and bigger pleasures. But what is most important is being able to share them with family!
Julie Markes reminds kids and adults alike about the little details that make each day enjoyable, while Doris Barrette’s beautiful and striking illustrations bring her thoughtful words to life.
Encourage children to be thankful for all the blessing in their lives in this heartwarming story from the Berenstain Bears Living Lights collection.
In The Berenstain Bears Thanksgiving Blessings, the Bear family is on route to Gran and Gramps’ house. It’s Thanksgiving Day and the cubs could not be more excited for pie, roast turkey, and all the trimmings. But Mama reminds them that there are more important things to be thankful for beyond the feast. Papa joins in and teaches the cubs about the many sacrifices that Bears made before them, so that they all can enjoy freedom, faith, and family today! Follow along with the Bear family as they learn an important lesson about thankfulness, and all the things they, and you, can be thankful for everyday!
Sure, Thanksgiving is about pilgrims and history — and turkey, of course! — but most importantly, it’s a holiday all about everything that we are thankful for. Cheerful, colorful illustrations accompany the simple text in this celebration of family, friends, and the holiday that brings them all together.
Turkey is in trouble. Bad trouble. The kind of trouble where it’s almost Thanksgiving … and you’re the main course. But Turkey has an idea — what if he doesn’t look like a turkey? What if he looks like another animal instead?
After many hilarious attempts, Turkey comes up with the perfect disguise to make this Thanksgiving the best ever!
Wendi Silvano’s comical story is perfectly matched by Lee Harper’s watercolors.
From Dav Pilkey, creator of the New York Times bestselling Dog Man and Captain Underpants series, comes a tall tale of tall-tailed toms!
On the night 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.
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[…] a very Happy Thanksgiving to all of my Canadian readers! If you’re looking for some great Thanksgiving books, I’ve got a list for you to check […]