Thanksgiving books are a cool way to teach children the meaning of being thankful for what they have. You can teach them through Thanksgiving board games, activities, scavenger hunts and more.
But learning about what Thanksgiving is all about through thanksgiving books is a neat way to ease your child into getting comfortable with the Holiday if they celebrate it.
Keep in mind when introducing a Thanksgiving book you want to ensure that the book is age appropriate and is also getting the point across of what you want your child to learn about the meaning of Thanksgiving.
To get started these are just a couple of my favorite top picks of teaching young children the true meaning of Thanksgiving to me which is spending time with your family and being thankful for having them in your life.
Thanksgiving books for kids to read
Pete the Cat Falling for Autumn
Pete the Cat isn’t sure about the changing of the seasons from summer to autumn. But when he discovers corn mazes, hay rides, and apple picking, Pete realizes there’s so much to enjoy and be thankful for about autumn.
Pete the Cat: Falling for Autumn includes 12 Thanksgiving cards, a fold-out poster, and fun stickers! Share this book with your family—a fun way to connect family members near and far while entertaining kids.
Too Many Pumpkins
When an enormous pumpkin falls off a truck and smashes in her yard, she shovels dirt over the pieces and forgets about them. But those slimy pumpkin smithereens sprout up in autumn, and Rebecca Estelle finds a sea of pumpkins in her garden.
A heartwarming classic for more than twenty years, this story shows what happens when one thrifty gardener figures out how to make other people happy with the squash she can’t stomach.
The Berenstain Bears and the Prize Pumpkin
This Berenstain Bears story is a perfect way to teach children about what they should truly be thankful for. Come for a visit in Bear Country with this classic from 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?
How to Catch a Turkey
A turkey is running loose in a school right before a Thanksgiving play. Can YOU help catch it so the show can go on? 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!).
This hilariously zany children’s picture book combines STEAM concepts and traps with a silly story and fun illustrations, perfect for starting a new fall family tradition this autumn or giving as a Thanksgiving gift for kids ages 4 and up!
Llama Llama Gives Thanks
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!
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.
Turkey Trouble
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.
I Am Thankful: A Thanksgiving Book for Kids
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 storybook that follows three different families as they celebrate the 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 sweet illustrations that show diverse families and exciting Thanksgiving adventures. This heartfelt, poetic story will show young ones the meaning of giving and sharing.
There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Turkey!
The old lady is at it again, and this time she’s swallowing a Turkey . . . she’s always been quirky! You won’t believe why this old lady swalloweda turkey, a ball, a hat, a balloon, a boat, some wheels, anda horn of plenty! Read this book and find out why!
A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (Peanuts)
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?
Little Critter: Just a Special Thanksgiving
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, Little Critter: Just a Special Thanksgiving is a funny Thanksgiving book for kids that’s sure to be a hit.
Bring it along for the car ride or for boys and girls to enjoy while the grown-ups watch Thanksgiving Day football!
Five Silly Turkeys Board book
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.
Gratitude is My Superpower: A children’s book about Giving Thanks and Practicing Positivity
Little Betsy will learn that happiness is made up of simple things in life, both small and big. With the help of the magic stone, she will begin to feel gratitude for her parents, friends, and toys. But what happens when little Betsy forgets to use the magic of her stone? She will realize that the power of gratitude is hidden in her heart.
“Gratitude is my superpower” will teach your little ones to appreciate the warmth of home, time spent playing with friends, and family relationships.
Bear Says Thanks (The Bear Books)
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 food to share. There’s just one problem: Bear’s cupboards are bare! What is he to do?
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.
The Night Before Thanksgiving
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. This family fun read-aloud makes the perfect gift to get young readers excited for this festive fall holiday!
Taylor the Tooting Turkey: A Story About a Turkey Who Toots (Farts) (Farting Adventures)
Taylor is a fine turkey, except for one small problem: She has gas. She can’t help it; it’s just the way she is. She explains it’s so common that there are different kinds of names for each toot. A beloved classic, this story will have everyone rolling on the floor with laughter. Perfect for Thanksgiving or anytime of the year!
Turkeys We Have Loved and Eaten (and Other Thankful Stuff)
Gobble, gobble! Room One is getting ready for their very own Thanksgiving feast! There’s even a contest to see which room can write the best thankful list. The winners will get a pumpkin pie! Only it turns out being thankful is harder than it looks. Because Junie B. is not actually thankful for Tattletale May. Or squash. Or scratchy pilgrim costumes. And pumpkin pie makes her vomit, anyway. Will Room One win the disgusting pie? Can May and Junie B. find common ground? Or will this Thanksgiving feast turn into a Turkey Day Disaster?
Comment down below your favorite Thanksgiving book for kids
