Can you believe it’s the end of October? November is knocking on the door. My mother-in-law has been looking for ways to teach your Payton about Thanksgiving and about being thankful. I put together this post which shares 25 Days of Thanksgiving Books Children that our children will enjoy.
I tried to include a book for those families with more than one child including a variety of ages that each child would like to read. If I left a book out that you think should be added to the list, please let me know and I will added it as quickly as possible.
- History of the First Thanksgiving by Joseph Bruchac
In 1620 an English ship called the Mayflower landed on the shores inhabited by the Pokanoket, and it was Squanto who welcomed the newcomers and taught them how to survive.
- 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!
3. One Little, Two Little, Three Little Pilgrims by B.G. Hennessy
The simple rhythmic text and autumn-colored illustrations are just right for practicing counting and sharing the history and fun of Thanksgiving with young children.
4. Corduroy’s Thanksgiving by Lisa McCue
This brightly colored, shaped board book is perfect for the youngest fans of Corduroy, one of the best-loved characters in children’s books for nearly 40 years.
5. Thanksgiving Is for Giving Thanks! By Margaret Sutherland
Cheerful, colorful illustrations accompany the simple text in this celebration of family, friends, and the holiday that brings them all together.
6. I Am Thankful by Suzy Capozzi
Kids will learn the affirmation “I am thankful” through a delightful story of food, family, and fun. And it includes 2 sheets of stickers!
7. T is for Turkey: A True Thanksgiving Story by Tanya Lee Stone
Rhyming couplets that flow through the alphabet help kids celebrate everything from Harvest to Pilgrims to Turkey.
8. The First Thanksgiving Picture by Jean Craighead George
The Pilgrims called the celebration the Harvest Feast. The Pawtuxet Indians thought of it as the Green Corn Dance. But the first Thanksgiving was much more than that.
9. The Mayflower and the Pilgrims New World by Nathaniel Philbrick
After a dangerous journey across the Atlantic, the Mayflower?s passengers were saved from certain destruction with the help of the Natives of the Plymouth region.
10. Llama Llama Gives Thanks by Anna Dewdney
With short and simple rhyming text, the Llama Llama board books introduce Llama Llama to babies and toddlers before they’re ready for longer full-length stories. And their small size and durable pages are perfect for little hands.
11. Pinkalicious: Thanksgiving Helper by Victoria Kann
It’s Thanksgiving Day, and Pinkalicious and Peter decide to be Thanksgiving helpers!
12. The Berenstain Bears Give Thanks by Jan Berenstain
The Berenstain Bears Give Thanks teaches how God provided for the pilgrims and reminds children of God’s many blessings.
13. Happy Thanksgiving, Curious George by H. A. Rey
Follow George through his Thanksgiving adventures with the short poems in this board book. The fun, tabbed pages are perfect for little fingers!
14. Bear Says Thanks by Karma Wilson
Karma Wilson’s playful text and Jane Chapman’s charming illustrations bring to life this celebration of family and friendship. Young readers will delight in discovering the special gift Bear has to share.
15. Thankful by Eileen Spinelli
Thankful, written by beloved children’s author Eileen Spinelli and illustrated by Archie Preston, combines charming rhymes and whimsical illustrations to convey the importance of being thankful for everyday blessings.
16. Thanks for Thanksgiving by Julie Markes
Everyone knows that Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks—the question is, where to begin?
17. God Gave Us Thankful Hearts by Lisa Tawn Bergren
As Mama and Lil Pup explore, she reminds him that God is the giver of all good things. Lil Pup learns that even when something fun comes to an end; his heart can be thankful when he sets his mind on the best things in his life.
18. 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 is prepared, cousins are greeted, and everyone gathers around the table, all with an extra helping of holiday fun.
19. 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”!
20. Biscuit Is Thankful by Alyssa Satin Capucilli
Biscuit is thankful for his bone, his biscuits, and lots more, too. Sweet puppy! Woof!
21. Little Critter: Just a Special Thanksgiving by Mercer Meyer
Little Critter® has charmed readers for over forty years. Now he is going to have a Thanksgiving he’ll never forget!
22. 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 that is perfect for the youngest historians
23. A Plump and Perky Turkey by Teresa Bateman
Turkeys around Squawk Valley just don’t jump into pots anymore — they are way too smart for that. So the townspeople hatch a clever plan.
24. The Things I’m Grateful For: Cute Short Stories for Kids by Arnie Lightning
These five short stories are excellent for teaching your little one about being thankful for the things they have. Each story is beautifully crafted with morals and lessons about gratitude and includes just for fun activities.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
