30 Best Thanksgiving Books for Preschoolers
These preschool thanksgiving books will get young readers excited about one of my favorite holidays, Thanksgiving! Whether you are looking for an old-fashioned Thanksgiving story or a silly story about a poor turkey, there are so many perfect Thanksgiving picture books and options for everyone. Kick off the holiday season with family traditions like reading some of the best Thanksgiving books with beautiful illustrations.
30 Best Thanksgiving Books for Preschoolers
Having Thanksgiving-themed books for children is important for several reasons:
Educational Value: Thanksgiving books can provide valuable educational content for children. They often teach about the historical context of Thanksgiving, the Pilgrims, American Indians, and the importance of gratitude. Children can learn about the origins and significance of the holiday in an engaging and age-appropriate manner.
Promoting Gratitude: Thanksgiving is all about giving thanks and how to express gratitude. Thanksgiving books often emphasize the importance of being thankful for what we have. Reading these books can help instill a sense of gratitude in young kids and encourage them to reflect on the things they are thankful for.
Fostering Family Time: Thanksgiving holiday is a time when families come together to celebrate and give thanks. Reading Thanksgiving-themed children's literature can be a wonderful family activity that promotes bonding and creates cherished memories.
Literacy Development: Reading is a fundamental skill, and exposure to a variety of books helps with language development, vocabulary acquisition, and comprehension skills. Thanksgiving and turkey books provide an opportunity for children to practice reading and listening skills.
Engaging Storytelling: Many Thanksgiving books are beautifully illustrated and feature engaging stories that capture a child's imagination. These stories can entertain and captivate children while delivering important messages about the holiday.
Tradition and Ritual: Establishing traditions and rituals around holidays like Thanksgiving can create a sense of continuity and comfort for children. Reading Thanksgiving books can become a cherished part of the holiday tradition.
Empathy and Understanding: Some Thanksgiving books focus on themes of friendship, cooperation, and understanding between different cultures and backgrounds. These stories can help children develop empathy and an appreciation for diversity.
Thanksgiving-themed books play a significant role in helping children learn about the national holiday, history and values, promoting gratitude and empathy, and fostering family connections. They are a valuable resource for both education and entertainment during the Thanksgiving season.
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Here's a list of 30 favorite Thanksgiving books that are perfect for preschoolers:
1. "The First Thanksgiving" by Kathryn Davis - This lift the flat board book is perfect to share the simple text and beautiful illustrations to introduce young children to the basics of this time of year! 14 simple pages and sturdy enough for your little turkey this is a perfect book to build your Thanksgiving collection!
2. "10 Fat Turkeys" by Tony Johnston - This is one of my favorite books for Thanksgiving for home and school because its absolutely hilarious! Read about ten goofy turkeys and their silly antics: swinging from a vine, strutting on a boar, doing a noodle dance, and more!
3. "Thanksgiving Is for Giving Thanks" by "Thanksgiving Is for Giving Thanks" by Sonja Lamut- 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. A great introduction to the concept of giving thanks and appreciating everyday small things.
4. "The Very Stuffed Turkey" by Katharine Kenah - A Thanksgiving story featuring a large turkey with a big problem......he's been invited to EVERYONE'S home for Thanksgiving feast and dinner!
With five homes to visit -- Horse's, Pig's, Sheep and Goat's, Cow's, and Mouse's --Turkey knows there'll be a ton of food to eat. But there'll also be friends and their families who can't wait to celebrate the holiday with Turkey! Can this very plump bird make it through every meal without bursting? A silly, read-aloud story featuring food, friends, and one hilarious turkey that is so much fun!
5. "The Great Thanksgiving Escape" by Mark Fearing - It’s another Thanksgiving at Grandma’s. Gavin expects a long, boring day full of pesky toddlers, but his cousin Rhonda has a different idea: make a break for it to the swing set in the backyard! Gavin isn’t so sure, especially when they encounter vicious guard dogs (in homemade sweaters), overly affectionate aunts, and worst of all, the great wall of butts.
6. "The Night Before Thanksgiving" by Natasha Wing - Everyone’s favorite fun-filled, family-filled, food-filled holiday is almost here! Follow along as the feast and main course is prepared, cousins are greeted, and everyone gathers around the table, all with an extra helping of holiday fun. This family fun read-aloud makes the perfect gift to get young readers excited for this festive fall holiday!
7. "Pete the Cat: The First Thanksgiving" by James Dean - Starring in your school’s Thanksgiving play would make even the coolest cat nervous, including Pete the Cat! But the show must go on….With more than ten flaps that open to reveal hidden surprises, Pete the Cat: The First Thanksgiving is sure to be a holiday hit and a favorite for Pete the Cat fans.
8. "T is for Turkey: A True Thanksgiving Story" by Tanya Lee Stone Kids of all ages will love learning about Thanksgiving in Tanya Lee Stone's newest shaped alphabet book. Join in as the elementary school puts on a school play that tells the true story of the first Thanksgiving. Rhyming couplets that flow through the alphabet help kids celebrate everything from Harvest to Pilgrims to Turkey.
9. "I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie" by Alison Jackson - I know an old lady who swallowed a pie, a Thanksgiving pie, which was really too dry. And with that the feast begins! After the pie the old lady swallows a whole squash, all of the salad, and the entire turkey! As Mother and Father watch in shock, the two children are delighted to see the old lady growing fatter and fatter. And, in the end, the old lady makes a surprising and humorous contribution to the holiday festivities.
10. "Thanksgiving Day" by Gail Gibbons - This is the perfect book for children to learn about the first Thanksgiving and then discusses how we celebrate Thanksgiving Day today.
11. "Thank You, Sarah: The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving" by Laurie Halse Anderson This is an inspirational, historical, all-out boisterous tale about perseverance and belief: In 1863 Hale's thirty-five years of petitioning and orations got Abraham Lincoln thinking. He signed the Thanksgiving Proclamation that very year, declaring it a national holiday. This story is a tribute to Hale, her fellow campaigners, and to the amendable government that affords citizens the power to make the world a better place!
12. "Balloons over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade" by Melissa Sweet - Meet the master puppeteer who invented the first balloons for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Melissa Sweet brings to life the inspirational story of the puppeteer who invented the giant balloons floating in the sky during the annual parade celebrating Thanksgiving.
13. "The Berenstain Bears and the Prize Pumpkin" by Stan and Jan Berenstain - It's November, and the Bear family are entering the Thanksgiving Festival's Big Pumpkin Contest. Will winning be the only thing that matters, or will the Bear family learn about the true meaning of Thanksgiving?
14. "Clifford's Thanksgiving Visit" by Norman Bridwell - Clifford’s Thanksgiving Visit brings readers along as Clifford travels to the city to spend the holiday with his mom. Can Clifford find her apartment in time for Thanksgiving dinner?
15. "A Turkey for Thanksgiving" by Eve Bunting - Mr. Moose and Mrs. Moose invite all their animal friends for Thanksgiving dinner and the only one missing is Turkey. When they set out to find him, Turkey is quaking with fear because he doesn't realize that his hosts want him at their table, not on it in this hilarious story.
16. "Turkey Trouble" by Wendi Silvano- 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!
17. "Franklin's Thanksgiving" by Paulette Bourgeois - Thanksgiving just won't be the same without guests around the table, so Franklin has a great idea to invite some friends for good food. What a nice surprise it will be for his parents. Only Franklin's mother and father have the same idea, and on Thanksgiving Day all their friends show up for the festivities! With no more room in the house, where will the holiday meal take place?
18. "Fancy Nancy: Our Thanksgiving Banquet" by Jane O'Connor - Join Nancy and her entire family as they celebrate Thanksgiving in this storybook, complete with more than thirty swanky stickers. This is going to be the best Thanksgiving ever! There's a gigantic turkey, Grandma's secret stuffing, green beans, and authentic cranberry sauce, the kind that doesn't come out of a can. And desserts? There are almost too many to count in this perfect Thanksgiving book for Fancy Nancy fans!
19. "The Story of Thanksgiving" by Nancy J. Skarmeas - The popular Thanksgiving board book available in a new size. Here is the story of Thanksgiving told in only about 200 words that are simple enough for a toddler to understand. From the Pilgrims' voyage to the first feast with the Native Americans, the Thanksgiving story is presented in its most traditional form. The bright illustrations and explanations will help children understand how the historical events relate to today's Thanksgiving traditions.
20. "Bear Says Thanks" by Karma Wilson - Bear has come up with the perfect way to say thanks—a nice big dinner! When Bear decides to throw a feast, his friends show up one by one with different platters of delicious new foods to share. There’s just one problem: Bear’s cupboards are bare! What is he to do?
21. "The Thanksgiving Door" by Debby Atwell - Main characters of this sweet book burn their dinner and join cafe owners at their restaurant, they all share an evening of friendship, good food, and lots of dancing—reminding everyone that Thanksgiving is about opening one’s heart in welcome to the strangers who become friends and the disappointments that bring unexpected joys.
22. "Gracias The Thanksgiving Turkey" by Joy Cowley - Young Puerto Rican boy Miguel refuses to go anywhere without his perky turkey companion, a bird too dear for the Thanksgiving table, and the pair delights everyone in their New York City neighborhood.
23. "The Littlest Pilgrim" by Brandi Dougherty - 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
24. "Five Silly Turkeys" by Salina Yoon - From twirling on a dance floor to being chased by a bee to tanning in the sun, these are no ordinary Thanksgiving turkeys. The rhyming adventure is a huge hit and makes for a fun read-aloud, and the tail feathers add a sensory element to the book as they crinkle when touched and are easy to grab for tiny hands turning pages. This shiny fabric–tabbed book is a holiday treat that is sure to be gobbled up quickly.
25. "One is a Feast for Mouse: A Thanksgiving Tale" by Judy Cox - Perfect for Thanksgiving, this warm and humourous picture book gently reminds us to give thanks for the little things. The Thanksgiving feast is over. Leftover turkey and pumpkin pie litter the table. Mouse peeps out of his hidey-hole and spots a small green pea. the perfect feast for one mouse.
26. "The Thanksgiving Bowl" by Virginia Kroll - When Grandma Grace's Thanksgiving bowl topples off the table and into the lives of others, it becomes a useful found object for all who encounter it. From one Thanksgiving to the next, the bowl makes its way upstream and downstream, through sandboxes and snowstorms, carrying goodwill and offering creative inspiration. By the time it makes its way back to Grandma Grace's backyard, it has been a vessel of gratitude for many creatures, echoing and fulfilling its original purpose'holding the annual 'I Am Thankful For' lists of the family.
27. "The Story of the Pilgrims" by Katharine Ross - From the dangerous voyage across the Atlantic to the first harsh winter to the delicious Thanksgiving feast, all the excitement and wonder of the Pilgrims' first year in America is captured in this vivid retelling for the youngest historians.
28. "The Thankful Book" by Todd Parr - The Thankful Book celebrates all the little things children can give thanks for. From everyday activities like reading and bathtime to big family meals together and special alone time between parent and child, Todd inspires readers to remember all of life's special moments. The perfect book to treasure and share, around the holidays and throughout the year.
29. "The Very First Thanksgiving Day" by Rhonda Gowler Greene - Follow along on one of the great books of Thanksgiving. Readers go on a journey back to the very first Thanksgiving Day, when two societies came together to feast and honor the earth's bounty in peace.
30. The Turkey Bowl by Phil Bidner - It's Thanksgiving, and that means it's time for...football!
Ethan has waited his whole nine-year-old life to be old enough to play in the annual family Turkey Bowl football game. This is his year. He wakes up Thanksgiving Day, dresses in all of his football finest, and runs downstairs to greet the team -- his whole family.
But the kitchen isn't full of aunts and cousins and uncles -- a blizzard has snowed them out. And it looks like the Turkey Bowl just isn't meant to be this year. After all, who could play football in a blizzard?
This list of Thanksgiving books cover a range of themes related to Thanksgiving and are suitable for preschool-aged children. They can help introduce the holiday's history, traditions, and the importance of gratitude in an engaging and age-appropriate way.
Are you looking for more Thanksgiving Inspiration?
There are so many easy and fun craft ideas for Thanksgiving to enjoy with your children, grandchildren or classroom! These Free Printable Thanksgiving Place Mat printables are perfect to keep kids busy while waiting for the Thanksgiving meal to be ready! I love doing this Free Kids Handprint Easy Turkey Craft for Thanksgiving and seeing how much their hands have grown each year. 9 DIY Acorn Crafts for Kids Easy Thanksgiving and Fall are a fun list of fun activities to gather items from the yard and get crafty! DIY Thanksgiving Clay Pot Turkey fun crafts makes a great gift for grandparents too!
What is your favorite Thanksgiving food? My grandma's delicious food is the absolute best and I think about her big Thanksgiving dinner all year long! Best Thanksgiving Easy Casserole Recipes to Make This Year give you some delicious options to make for Thanksgiving meals at home or to take with you to a host! Savory Sweet Potato Casserole Recipes You Must Try are my favorite to make all fall and Thanksgiving season long! Best Apple Pie Recipes for Thanksgiving are delicious to make after a long day of apple picking. Apple recipes are perfect for turkey day.
If you are looking to satisfy a sweet tooth make these Turkey Brownies: Easy Thanksgiving Dessert options and let the kids help you decorate for a fun filled evening! Parents will love these 16 Perfect Pumpkin Fall Season Drinks and Recipes to Try and your family will go nuts over these Rice Krispie Mini Pumpkin Pie Recipe treats!
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I hope this post gave you new ways to have an attitude of gratitude this season and enjoy reading a sweet story with the whole family.
