Thanksgiving is coming up in just a few weeks. This holiday is about gratitude, food, and family. What better way to teach your kids about this holiday than by reading them books about it. Today, I'll go over the best kids Thanksgiving books that teach kids what this special holiday is about. These Thanksgiving stories for children are packed with fun, education, and, of course, gratitude.
Best Thanksgiving Books For Toddlers
Thanksgiving Is For Giving Thanks by Margaret Sutherland
Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate the Pilgrims, history, and, of course, turkey. However, Thanksgiving is most importantly about giving thanks. And that is what this book is all about. The author Margaret Sutherland has written many other books, include "Valentines Are For Saying I Love You". In this book, she writes about things that every child can be thankful for. It shows that although Thanksgiving is about food and history, its biggest meaning is gratitude.
Ladybug Girl Gives Thanks by Jacky Davis
Ladybug Girl, also known as Lulu, has a lot to be thankful for. So she states everything that makes her be full with gratitude in this sweet book. Some of the things she is thankful for the most is her dog, friends, trees, and pumpkin pie. This book teaches kids to be thankful for everything and anything. Even if it sounds simple for what you are thankful for, it is good to have a heat of gratitude. If your kids love Ladybug Girl, you can buy the entire series on this creative little girl.
Where Is Baby's Turkey by Karen Katz
This adorable children's book is perfect for babies and young toddlers. This book is just one of the many books that Karen Katz has written for young kids. In this book, little ones can lift the sturdy, easy-to-lift flaps on each page to look for Baby’s turkey stuffed animal. It is the perfect book for getting your kids in the holiday spirit. Even the youngest of kids will be delighted by this Thanksgiving book.
Best Books For Preschoolers
Franklin's Thanksgiving by Paulette Bourgeois
Written by Paulette Bourgeois, this Thanksgiving book for kids is engaging and fun to read. It is based on Franklin, a turtle who loves everything about Thanksgiving. He especially likes his Grandma and Grandpa to be with him on this special holiday. However, this year his grandparents are traveling around the world. Because Franklin doesn't want to be alone for Thanksgiving, he decides to invite some friends for dinner. But when his parents invite guests as well, their home gets pretty crowded.
Without enough room for their friends, Franklin and his family begin to wonder where Thanksgiving will take place. Your kids will love getting to know Franklin and his friends. If your kids love this book, they will be happy to hear that there is an entire series written about Franklin.
The Thanksgiving Story by Alice Dalgliesh
This Thanksgiving Story is about Giles, Constance, and Damaris Hopkins, who are are all passengers on the Mayflower ship. Their family is journeying to the New World in hopes of starting a new life with more freedom. However, life is difficult on the Mayflower, especially when their little baby brother is born. With hardly any room to move around, these three siblings hope things get better when they arrive on land.
However, when they arrive, there are even worse challenges that they and the other Pilgrims must face. Such challenges include hunger, cold, and sicknesses. With the help of the Native Americans though, they may be able to survive the winter in the New World. And when they do, they have a celebration that will be celebrated for years to come.
This book teaches young kids what the history behind Thanksgiving is. It tells about everything that happened when the Pilgrims arrived in the New World, but it is written so that young children can understand it. With adorable pictures and easy-to-read chapters, this kids Thanksgiving book will surely be adored by your children for years to come.
The Thankful Book by Todd Parr
Are you looking for a book that will teach your kids about being thankful? Out of all the kids Thanksgiving books, The Thankful Book is one of the best Thanksgiving books for kids. It is basically about being Thankful in life. Each page as about two sentences that say what the author is thankful for. From silly sentences like, "I am thankful for my shadow because it makes me look taller", to more serious sentences like, " I am thankful for my hair because it makes me unique", this book engages little ones and reminds them to be thankful about even the little things. This book is full of adorable pictures that keep your kids laughing and smiling as they read this book.
Pete the Cat: The First Thanksgiving by James Dean and Kimberly Dean
Pete the Cat is a popular kids book series. In this series comes the Pete the Cat Thanksgiving book. This is a great Thanksgiving story for preschoolers, as it teaches them about the first Thanksgiving in a humorous way. It is about Pete the Cat, who participates in a school play about the first Thanksgiving. He makes new friends and learns a lot about what it was like to be a Pilgrim and live off the land. Pete the Cat also learns to be thankful for everything. To see what other adventures and facts that are in the school play, simply lift the flaps in the book.
Turkeys In Disguise by Scarlet Honeycutt
Turkey In Disguise book is a funny book about turkeys who try to disguise themselves so they don't get eaten for Thanksgiving. Mrs. Hagood's class is trying to get ready for a Thanksgiving feast. In order to have the feast, they need sixteen turkeys. Unfortunately, they cannot find any turkeys. This is because all the turkeys have dressed themselves up in clothes so that they don't get eaten for Thanksgiving. Your kids will get a kick out of how the turkeys are dressed.
If you are looking for some fun Thanksgiving activities, it may be fun for your kids to act out this story. They can dress up in silly clothes as the turkeys did, and one of your kids can be Mrs. Hagood. This is a fun preschool Thanksgiving activity that your kids can do.
Best Thanksgiving Books For Older Kids
Mary's First Thanksgiving by Kathy-Jo Wargin
Mary is a young girl from Ireland that moved to America with her family. Most days, Mary loves her new home in America. But now it's Thanksgiving time, and her family has little food. Because of their low food supply, Mary begins to wish she could go back to Ireland. When her heart soon becomes ungrateful, her father tells Mary the story of how the Pilgrims struggled when they first came to America. He told her about how the Pilgrims sometimes had barely enough food to survive, just like her family. But five kernels of corn helped the Pilgrims survive and helped make their faith stronger too. The legend of the five kernels helps young Mary to realize that she should have a thankful heart this Thanksgiving. Written by Kath-Jo Wargin, this Thanksgiving story for kids can be read each Thanksgiving to remind your kids to have a grateful heart.
Rebekah in Danger: Peril at Plymouth Colony by Colleen L. Reece
Rebekah in Danger is part of the Sisters In Time Series. The Sisters In Time Series takes you through all the events in history, from adventures on the Mayflower to the end of World War II. In Rebekah in Danger, your kids will learn about the first winter the Pilgrims spent in the New World. With the freezing weather, lack of food, and sicknesses, 10-year-old Rebekah is in danger of freezing or starving to death. Written especially for eight- to twelve-year-old girls, this dramatic story shows how Rebekah overcame these challenges. Though the main character is fictional, the events and experiences are real.
A Turkey For Thanksgiving by Eve Bunting
This hilarious children's book is perfect for kids of all ages, but older kids will be able to read it better. It is about Mr. and Mrs. Moose, who decide to invite all their animal friends for Thanksgiving dinner. However, the only animal missing is a Turkey. Mrs. Moose puts out a paper turkey but tells Mr. Moose that she wants a real turkey. That sets Mr. Moose out on an adventure searching for a turkey. But Turkey is afraid to go with Mr. Moose because he doesn't want to get eaten. In the end, you find out that Mr. and Mrs. Moose actually want Turkey at the table, not on the table.
Final Thoughts On Kids Thanksgiving Books
There are so many kids Thanksgiving books that you can read to your kids this Thanksgiving. Some of them are fictional, such as Franklin's Thanksgiving by Paulette Bourgeois. Others are about the history of Thanksgiving, such as The Thanksgiving Story by Alice Dalgliesh. Whichever Thanksgiving books you choose, these are fun, easy-to-read books that engage your kids' minds and reminds them to be thankful at all times. Have fun shopping for kids Thanksgiving books, and have a happy Thanksgiving!
Related Article: Here’s A Beautiful Guide To Good Bedtime Stories You And Your Child Will Love
