Thanksgiving is just around the corner and there are so many traditions to celebrate. In addition to all of our traditions books can be a great way to help our kids learn about the history of Thanksgiving and celebrate! We’ve rounded up a collection of books to help you celebrate the holiday with your kids. From classics, to newer titles with cultural perspectives, you’re sure to find something to make the season more fun.
Lansing Mom is here to share our tried and true favorites. This post does contain affiliate links that help support our small business but every product is something we love!
Books for Toddlers
Five Silly Turkeys by Salina Yoon
This rhyming book with crinkle feathers is perfect for toddlers who love to touch and explore. As you count down from five to one, they can help turn pages and enjoy the turkeys’ silly adventures.
Where is Baby’s Turkey? by Karen Katz
This board book classic with flaps to lift will engage even short toddler attention spans and is durable enough for older infants as well. Katz’s big round faces and colorful illustrations introduce kids to key signs of the season and are a favorite among parents.
Five Little Thank-Yous by Cindy Jin
Focused primarily on gratitude but with scenes that suggest the trappings of the season, this book is a fun introduction to Thanksgiving for both toddlers and preschoolers alike. The hand art on the cover can also lend itself to a variety of craft projects to continue the fun.
Spot’s Thanksgiving by Eric Hill
Spot wants to make a pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving. Follow along as his whole family helps prepare the yummy treat!
Llama Llama Gives Thanks by Anna Dewdney
Enjoy Llama Llama for toddlers with this simple rhyming board book! Llama Llama shows little ones how to be thankful for everything around them all year long.
Books for Preschoolers
Dino-Thanksgiving by Lisa Wheeler
A fun find for dinosaur-lovers, this book will also make parents smile with its football references (Redscales vs Snackers) and other cultural references. My daughter and I loved joking about the littlest Dino who constantly says, “I’m hungry! Is it time to eat?”
Celebrate Thanksgiving by Deborah Heiligman
Part of the National Geographic Kids series “Holidays Around the World”, this book does a phenomenal job of explaining a wide variety of aspects of the holiday while being diverse in its approach. The gorgeous photography that National Geographic is known for also makes it eye catching for kids and adults alike. Short groupings of text make it appropriate for preschoolers through early elementary readers.
Bear Says Thanks by Karma Wilson
Younger readers will love Bear and his friends who share to create a feast to be grateful for. Jane Chapman’s illustrations make all the Bear books come alive. This book can also trend toward younger children too since it isn’t text heavy.
I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie by Allison Jackson
Though knowledge of the song that inspired this series will make it easier for kids to grasp certain elements of the plot, this book is a fun take on the season that will have kids giggling.
Thanksgiving in the Woods by Phyllis Alsdurf
For over 20 years, a family in upstate New York has hosted an outdoor Thanksgiving feast in the woods on their farm with over 200 friends and family joining in each year. This beautifully illustrated book tells the story of that day and emphasizes working together and gratitude.
The Thankful Book by Todd Parr
Todd Parr’s book always do a great job of showing kids how simple it is to embrace differences, love one another, facing fears and more! The book is no different by showing kids how much there is to be thankful for in the small moments too.
Turkey Trouble by Wendi Silvano
The silly book is one the whole family will love! On the farm Turkey is figuring out how to best disguise himself so he doesn’t have to be for dinner. Follow Turkey as he puts together his best disguises of other animals.
The Scarecrows’ Wedding By Julia Donaldson
Scarecrows Betty O’Barley and Harry O’ Hay are planning the perfect wedding. But of course everything can’t go as expected. Harry must be a hero to have the wedding of their dreams.
Sweep By Louise Grieg
Ed’s bad mood starts as something really small and grows into something that spread across the whole town. The seasonal book is great for helping preschoolers understand how to deal with big emotions and how they can impact others.
Books for Grade Schoolers
Rivka’s First Thanksgiving by Elsa Okon Real
The historical perspective on Jewish immigrants and heavier text make this book best suited to older readers. Rivka respectfully pushes her Jewish community to find ways to celebrate their gratitude for their new life while staying true to old traditions in her first ever Thanksgiving.
Thank You, Omu! By One Mora
Richly colored cut-paper designs illustrate this cozy story about Omu and her delicious stew. One by one, the smell of it draws her neighbors to her door and she offers each a portion. Soon the pot is empty and Omu has no meal left, but the generosity she shows is paid back by her neighbors.
Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message by Chief Jake Swamp
This book is based on a Native American good morning message that is based on the belief that the natural world is a precious and rare gift. Richly illustrated, this provides children a fresh view of gratitude for the world around them in all its beauty.
Milly and the Macy’s Parade by Shana Corey
A book based on the true origin of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade with beautiful illustrations.
Not This Turkey by Jessica Steinberg
Mel’s jewish immigrant family has lived in America for years but has only ever celebrated Jewish holidays. That is until is Papa wins a LIVE turkey at a raffle! But Mel finds he has a soft spot for the Turkey.
Thankful by Eileen Spinelli
Celebrate the goodness is everyday, practice thankfulness and look around you for wonderful acts of services happening every day. This book is great for the whole family to recognize thankfulness and how to use it.
