Best Kids Thanksgiving Books And Favorite Read Alouds
As a home decor and DIY blogger, I love a gorgeous display of kids Thanksgiving books in our children’s room. But as a lover of books and stories, I also want the best Thanksgiving read alouds on our shelves. It’s like when form meets function in home decor. It’s a beautiful, beautiful thing.
So today is that post: a list of our favorite Thanksgiving kids’ books along with the seasonal-themed bookshelf display. As a bonus, I’ll share some book superlatives at the end, so stay tuned for that.
Thanksgiving Book Themes
Before we dive into the list of the best Thanksgiving books, a quick note about the themes.
This is a list of our favorite Thanksgiving books for young readers. Not all these books have a traditional Thanksgiving theme, but they do share the underlying themes of Thanksgiving, like family, gratitude, harvests, thankfulness, and the native perspective.
Without further ado, the general themes…
Gratitude And Kindness Theme
Many of the books aren’t about Thanksgiving but about being thankful and the meaning of gratitude. These are such important themes for young kids and ones our family holds a spot for.
Indigenous People Theme
I’ve been shying away from books surrounding the traditional, American version of the story of the first Thanksgiving. While a couple does grace the list (like Magic Treehouse and Thank You Sarah), I don’t want that to be the narrative my kids learn. To balance this, we’ve been adding more stories from native Americans.
Thus I chose stories written by native people to widen our family’s lens. It’s an area of growth for us compared to how Colby and I were educated on the subject and I want our daughters to know the views of native Americans, the traditions of the Cherokee nation, etc.
Seasonal Shifts And Harvesting Themes
The holiday isn’t just about the delicious Thanksgiving feast but celebrating the harvest. We live in an agricultural community and themes of appreciating the harvest and honoring the shifting seasons are important.
Different Traditions Theme
I want our children to understand that different people may hold a different Thanksgiving tradition than we do. Like the perspective of a Cherokee nation or sharing a Thanksgiving table with a community much larger than your family.
Our children love exploring new things and ideas. Reading about other traditions is a perfect way for them to learn more.
And now for our favorite kids Thanksgiving books! Below is a list of all our favorite books that fit these themes.
List Of Thanksgiving Books For Kids
- A Turkey For Thanksgiving by Eve Bunting, Diane de Groat
- Apple Cake: A Gratitude by Dawn Casey, Genevieve Godbout
- Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story Of The Puppeteer Of Macy’s Parade by Melissa Sweet
- Bear Picks A Pumpkin by Zondervan, Gill Guile
- Birdsong by Julie Flett
- Biscuit And The Great Fall Day by Alyssa Satin Capucilli, Pat Schories
- Cold Turkey by Corey Rosen Schwartz, Kirsti Call, Chad Otis
- Five Silly Turkeys by Salina Yoon
- Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story by Kevin Noble Maillard, Juana Martinez-Neal
- Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter by Kenard Pak
- Gratitude Is My Super Power by Alicia Ortego
- How To Catch A Turkey by Adam Wallace, Andy Elkerton
- I Am Thankful: A Positive Power Story by Suzy Capozzi, Eren Uhten
- I Am Thankful: A Thanksgiving Book For Kids by Sheri Wall, Holly Clifton-Brown
- I Know An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Pie by Alison Jackson, Judith Byron Schachner
- Keepunumuk: Weeachumun’s Thanksgiving Story by Danielle Greendeer, Anthony Perry, Alexis Bunten, Garry Meeches Sr.
- Over The River And Through The Wood by Emma Randall
- Peyton Picks The Perfect Pie by Jack Bishop, Michelle Mee Nutter
- Pookie’s Thanksgiving by Sandra Boynton
- Sharing The Bread: An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving Story by Pat Zietlow Miller, Jill McElmurry
- Sleep Tight Farm: A Farm Prepares For Winter by Eugenie Doyle, Becca Stadtlander
- T Is For Thankful by Greg Paprocki
- Thank You, Sarah: The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving by Laurie Halse Anderson, Matt Faulkner
- Thanks For Giving by Abby Klein, John McKinley
- Thanksgiving On Thursday (Magic Tree House) by Mary Pope Osborne, Sal Murdocca
- Thanksgiving In The Woods by Phyllis Alsdurf, Jenny Lovlie
- Turkey Vs. Santa by Todd Tarpley, Giovannie Abeille
- We Are Grateful: Otsalieheliga by Traci Sorell, Frane Lessac
Superlatives
It wouldn’t be a holiday books and shelf decor round-up without a few superlatives from our favorite Thanksgiving children’s books.
Most Likely To Entice Me To Bake Bread
There’s something about the family traditions, history, and community of making a staple food item in Fry Bread that makes me want to embrace bread baking even more. The book is about a modern native american family making fry bread together, enjoying the process and tradition along the way.
The book also includes a recipe for fry bread at the end and more history for older readers.
Best Parade Book
This one goes to Balloons Over Broadway. Technically, it’s the only Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade book.
Both the kids and I adore this book. I didn’t know much about the history of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade and this book covers how it came to be. The kids also love learning how their favorite balloon creations come to life.
Favorite Native American Culture Book
We Are Grateful: Otsalieheliga is a gem and gets the title of our favorite native american book. It’s a book about gratefulness from the perspective of Cherokee people and teaches the reader Cherokee words along the way.
The story is about gratitude, Cherokee celebrations, and experiences. It follows a full year of Cherokee gatherings beginning in the fall and ending in the summer.
The word otsaliheliga (oh-jah-LEE-hay-lee-gah) is used by members of the Cherokee Nation to express gratitude. Beginning in the fall with the new year and ending in summer, follow a full Cherokee year of celebrations and experiences.
Most Unlikely Turn Of Events
This superlative goes to A Turkey For Thanksgiving. It’s about a group of different animals gathering for their Thanksgiving meal. Mrs. Moose has always wanted a turkey at Thanksgiving so Mr. Moose tracks one down.
The book, and the turkey, believe the main course will be turkey but PLOT TWIST. It’s a vegetarian Thanksgiving with the turkey AT the table not ON the table.
Most Pies In One Book
Hands down this award goes to Peyton Picks The Perfect Pie. The premise is that a little girl, who may be a little bit picky about food, declares that she’s going to try Thanksgiving pie. But there are so many to choose from.
The book goes into the history and tradition of many of the pies, which is interesting. I had never heard of ruffled milk pie! The back of the book even has a pie recipe.
Favorite Shifting Seasons Book
This one goes to Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter. This book is part of a series of books about different seasons and each is a gem covering a specific time of year.
The story follows a brother and sister as they explore nature and notice all the signs of winter coming, with leaves falling and animals preparing for winter. It ends with the first snow of the year.
Most Classic Story
By most classic story, I mean which story is the most nostalgic for me. This one goes to Over the River and Through The Woods. I know it should probably go with the Christmas books but this one reminds me of Thanksgiving with my grandmother. We used to sing the song in the car on the way to Grandma’s every year for Thanksgiving. Ahhh classic tales and memories.
Silliest Book
All the “How to catch a…” books share a silly story but How To Catch A Turkey may be my favorite. There’s turkey trouble right before a school’s Thanksgiving play. The turkey has run off and the students must catch it. It’s a silly book about turkey traps and a great chase. No turkeys are harmed (or eaten) in this book.
Most Heartwarming Story
Thanks For Giving is a young reader book with a sweet, heartwarming story. A class is collecting canned goods during the Thanksgiving season to help a local food bank. The class bully forgets to bring in cans and is feeling ashamed. A little boy in the class helps him out, even though he doesn’t want to at first, and kindness prevails. It’s one of the best Thanksgiving read alouds for parents OR kids to read.
Favorite Traditional Thanksgiving Story
This superlative is awarded to Keepunumuk: Weeachumun’s Thanksgiving Story. It’s a story of the first Thanksgiving told from the perspective of the Wampanoag people. They refer to the event as Keepunumuk.
I love the story of the book. It’s the traditional American Thanksgiving story of the pilgrims but told by the Wampanoag tribe who were living on the land. The Pilgrims would never have survived without the help of the Wampanoag.
It’s a powerful book written and illustrated by four Indigenous creators.
Most Beautiful Illustrations
Apple Cake is not only a sweet story with harvest celebrations and a gratitude theme but also has the most beautiful illustrations. I’ve picked up quite a few books from the illustrator, Genevieve Godbout, and they are all beautiful pieces of art (and stories). Apple Cake is a wonderful book, with stories and pictures combined.
Kid’s Choice Award
When I asked my kids what their favorite Thanksgiving book was, they unanimously agreed, I Know An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Pie. The book is part of the Old Lady series where she swallows everything from shoes to playgrounds.
In this fun book, the old lady swallows an entire turkey and the rest of the Thanksgiving meal.
Dad’s Choice Award
The Dad’s Choice Award goes to Turkey Vs Santa BUT I think he’s trying to tell me something by selecting this book. This story is about the holiday season and how sometimes Thanksgiving gets overshadowed by Christmas. It’s a cute, silly story.
I have been known to start the Christmas and holiday festivities before Thanksgiving so this book is a great reminder to give the holiday its due respect.
Mom’s Choice Award
And the most coveted award of the night, the Mom’s Choice Award, goes to…drumroll please…Thanksgiving In The Woods. It is hands down my favorite Thanksgiving-themed book and one we read all year round in this house.
It’s a true story of a family in upstate New York who hosts a massive Thanksgiving dinner for their entire community. It’s a big meal, set outside, and everyone helps to prepare for the Thanksgiving feast.
I love the story themes of family, gathering, and community coming together.
With that, I bid you adieu and thank you for stopping by our kids Thanksgiving books and shelf decorating post. To young readers and adult readers alike, happy reading and happy Thanksgiving!
