The Best Toddler Thanksgiving Board Books to Read
Cozy up with a warm blanket this time of year and a delicious pumpkin drink (maybe even some apple pie) and enjoy the best thanksgiving books on the market with your young readers! Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays and I love the emphasis on the small things that make us feel grateful through family traditions. I love watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, eating a good meal, and then cuddling up to read a great book about the true meaning of Thanksgiving.
The Best Toddler Thanksgiving Board Books to Read
Thanksgiving isn't all about the different platters of delicious food or a nice big dinner, but a thankful heart and the celebration of family with a concept of gratitude. These children's Thanksgiving books are full of great options for young kids.
Reading with young children is so important and I rounded up this list of preschool thanksgiving books to prep for holiday celebrations to use at home and school!
Thanksgiving children’s books / Board books are popular and highly recommended for toddlers for several reasons:
Board books are excellent tools for introducing early learning concepts such as numbers, colors, shapes, and basic vocabulary. They can also help toddlers learn about the world around them, including animals, objects, and everyday activities. The flap book options and sensory elements are awesome for little hands to work on hand eye coordination too! Many board books use repetition in the text, which is beneficial for language development in toddlers. Repetition helps reinforce important concepts and encourages toddlers to participate in the reading experience by predicting what comes next. Board books serve as a gateway to a lifelong love of reading. They help toddlers become familiar with books and set the foundation for more complex reading as they grow older.
Overall, board books are designed with the unique needs and developmental stages of toddlers in mind. They offer a safe, engaging, and educational way for young children to explore the world of books and develop essential skills while enjoying stories and images that capture their imagination. Picture books are a great next step for young readers and a perfect way for children of multiple ages to read together.
As an amazon associate, I earn a small commission on purchases of books made through the following affiliate links at no additional charge to you.
Here are some classic Thanksgiving board books for kids:
A little mouse is thankful for their friends and family, good food to share, and fun games to play. This warm and inviting fall picture book is a wonderful way to start a family conversation about being grateful and kind, not just at Thanksgiving but all year long! A perfect gift to bring to begin fall family celebrations or celebrate baby's First Thanksgiving.
2. You're The Apple of My Pie by Rose Rossner and Jill Howarth
Filled with warm autumn illustrations and adorable puns with heartwarming messages of love and gratitude, this punny and encouraging book is perfect for sharing with the ones you're thank-fall for.
3. LLama Llama Gives Thanks by Anna Dewdney
In Llama Llama Gives Thanks, it's Thanksgiving time for Llama Llama and his family! That means yummy foods and autumn leaves and being thankful for everything from pumpkin pies to blue skies. Thanksgiving may only come once year, but in Llama's family, giving thanks is always here!
4. Pookie's Thanksgiving by Sandra Boynton
It’s Thanksgiving! Join Mom and her little Pookie as they prepare for the yummiest of holidays. Told and illustrated with Sandra Boynton’s celebrated charm, Pookie’s Thanksgiving is filled with a cornucopia of family, gratitude, and pie!
5. Happy Thanksgiving, Biscuit! by Alyssa Capucilli
Celebrate Thanksgiving with Biscuit! Lift the flaps to reveal a special holiday season surprise on every page.
6. 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 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.
7. You're My Little Cutie Pie by Nicola Edwards and Natalie Marshall
Cuddle up with your little cutie pie and share this festive Thanksgiving board book that’s part of the best-selling You’re My Little series. With cut-outs and raised elements, this hands-on book features rhyming text paired with adorable pumpkin pies, cranberries, turkeys, and more!
8. Be Thankful Pout-Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen
Gobble! Gobble! It’s Thanksgiving under the sea, and Mr. Fish has much to be grateful for. Toddlers will love swimming along with the pout-pout fish as he turns little pouts into big smiles in this original board book.
9. Spot's Thanksgiving by Eric Hill
It's Thanksgiving, and Spot wants to make a pumpkin pie. Everyone celebrates together as his whole family helps prepare the treat!
10. Corduroy's Thanksgiving
Corduroy is hosting Thanksgiving dinner for his friends. They watch a Thanksgiving Day parade, then it’s time to eat. But first, Corduroy and his friends each say what they are thankful for.
11. I Love to Gobble You Up! By Sandar Magsamen
Give thanks for your little ones with kisses, hugs, and GOBBLES of love all throughout the holiday season with this backlist holiday classic. The just-right book for a Thanksgiving cuddle, this gently refreshed Sandra Magsamen title is perfect for reminding your little turkey just how loved they are. Features sturdy board pages and soft, tactile turkey "feathers" made of real felt.
12. This Little Turkey by Aly Fronis and Migy Blanco
A fun, Thanksgiving-themed twist on the classic nursery rhyme “This Little Piggy”! These little turkeys have a lot of work to do to prepare for Thanksgiving! One goes to the market, one sweeps the floor, one draws pictures, one knits a sweater, and sets the table. Now they're all ready to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving!
13. A Very Thankful Prayer by Bonnie Jensen
From watching the autumn leaves fall to picking pumpkins from the patch, from sharing a Thanksgiving meal with loved ones to learning how to give--there's so much to be thankful for! Cultivate a grateful heart in your little one with this thank-you prayer to God, who gives us every good thing.
14. Thanksgiving Parade by Kelly Asbury
Get excited about the Thanksgiving Day parade! Through rhyming text, this shaped board book captures some of the best features of the parade, as seen through the eyes of a child.
15. Gobble Wobble Dance Like a Turkey by Brick Puffinton
Get up and dance like a turkey with the featured turkey stuffed animal puppet! Gobble and wobble—then spin yourself around! Next, you'll be asked to reach down and touch the ground. Spread your wings and hop and flap, just like turkeys do. Introduce your children and their little friends to the Thanksgiving holiday by reading the sweet Gobble Wobble rhyming story. Wiggle the plush turkey puppet to make it dance along with you!
16. You're My Little Pumpkin Pie by Natalie Marshall
You’re My Little Pumpkin Pie is a adorable board book to share with your little one. With chunky pages for little hands and die-cut shapes to add depth and interest, children will love the interactive features alongside the story. This endearing board book is a wonderful read for Halloween or Thanksgiving.
17. Five Little Thank-Yous by Cindy Jin
Shaped like a handprint turkey art craft, this colorful rhyming board book is all about the important things to be thankful for on Thanksgiving!
18. Dr. Suess's Thankful Things by Dr. Suess
Written in super-simple rhyme, this sweet, sturdy board book features Thing One and Thing Two as they celebrate all there is to be thankful for--from things to learn and games to play, to pies and each other!
19. Be Thankful Be Giving by Charles Schulz
Celebrate Thanksgiving with the Peanuts gang! This feel-good shaped board book is the perfect gift for spreading happiness and gratitude!
20. Baby's First Thanksgiving by DK
Bold, brightly colored pictures, and short and snappy text is the perfect way to discover Thanksgiving together in this delightful book! From the harvest that this holiday celebrates, to all the trimmings, including corn, turkey and cranberry sauce, Baby’s First Thanksgiving features all the familiar favourites associated with this national holiday.
21. Bright Baby Happy Thanksgiving by Roger Priddy
What is Thanksgiving? It's turkey and pumpkin pie, but most of all it's a time to spend with family and friends. With photographs to look at and Thanksgiving words to learn, this sturdy board book is ideal for adults to read and share with very young children to introduce them to this special holiday.
22. Where is Baby's Turkey? by Karen Katz
Gobble, gobble! It’s time for Thanksgiving! In this interactive book from bestselling author Karen Katz, little ones can lift the sturdy, easy-to-lift flaps on each page to look for Baby’s turkey stuffed animal. Filled with bright, striking art, this book is sure to get little ones excited for the festive family holiday!
23. The Itsy Bitsy Pilgrim by Jeffrey Burton
This little pilgrim sails across the ocean and spends the first Thanksgiving with new friends. Little ones will love this fresh holiday spin on the classic nursery rhyme, “The Itsy Bitsy Spider”!
24. See Touch Feel Happy Thanksgiving by Roger Priddy
The tactile pages encourage children to explore, touch, and feel, making this a fantastic book for stimulating their senses. With colorful artwork created from handprints and footprints, this book is perfect for introducing children to Thanksgiving.
25. Happy Thanksgiving Curious George by H.A. Rey
Today is Thanksgiving and George is so excited! He loves everything about the holiday—from the parade with music, jugglers, and big balloons to the delicious turkey shared with family and friends. But even on Thanksgiving the curious little monkey manages to stir up some trouble!
26. Disney: Mickey's Thanksgiving
Give thanks with Mickey and all of his friends as they prepare for the most delicious holiday of the year in this board book with four touch-and-feel elements and two scents to scratch and sniff!
27. Teeny Tiny Turkey by Rachel Matson
This teeny tiny turkey doesn't know what to bring to a harvest party with all of her friends. Will she find the perfect way to help and be thankful? Discover this festive Thanksgiving read-aloud, full of vibrant illustrations and bouncy rhymes, perfect for the holiday!
These board books should provide a delightful way to introduce Thanksgiving themes and traditions to young children. Remember to check for the latest releases and reviews to find the best options for your child's age and interests and for the whole family.
These little turkey books offer a wide range of Thanksgiving-themed stories, from historical accounts to playful and humorous tales, making them suitable for different age groups and reading preferences.
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 feast 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!
