Even in 2020, Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to share stories with family and friends. So, gather up the children in your life (virtually, if you have to!) and feast on these Thanksgiving-themed picture books that celebrate the magic of family, food, and fun.
10 Fat Turkeys by Tony Johnston, illustrated by Rich Deas (Oct 2004)
From Goodreads: “This silly rhyming story about ten turkeys teaches children how to count backwards.
“Looky!” says a silly turkey swinging from a vine.
Gobble gobble wibble wobble.
Whoops! Now there are nine.
Girls and boys will gobble up this hilarious story about ten goofy turkeys and their silly antics: swinging from a vine, strutting on a boar, doing a noodle dance, and more. Veteran author Tony Johnston has written a joyful text, which first-time illustrator Richard Deas brings to life as wild and wacky fun!”
AGES 3–5
Bear Says Thanks by Karma Wilson, illustrated by Jane Chapman (Sept 2014)
From Goodreads: “What better way for Bear to say thanks, than to have a big dinner with all his friends!
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.”
AGES 3–8
The Great Thanksgiving Escape by Mark Fearing (Sept 2017)
From Goodreads: “A hilarious, kid-friendly take on Thanksgiving — full of family, food, and lots of fun!
It’s another Thanksgiving at Grandma’s. Gavin expects a long day of boredom and being pestered by distantly related toddlers, but his cousin Rhonda has a different idea: make a break for it — out of the kids’ room to the swing set in the backyard! Gavin isn’t so sure, especially when they encounter vicious guard dogs (in homemade sweaters), a hallway full of overly affectionate aunts, and worse yet, the great wall of butts! Will they manage to avoid the obstacles and find some fun before turkey time? Or will they be captured before they’ve had a taste of freedom?”
AGES 5–8
How to Catch a Turkey by Adam Wallace (Sept 2018)
From Goodreads: “From the bestselling How to Catch series comes a festive turkey tale!
A turkey is running loose in a school right before a Thanksgiving play. Can YOU help catch it? 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!).
Thanksgiving time is here again,
but there’s a turkey on the run!
Can you catch this tricky bird
before the school play has begun?”
AGES 4–10
…If You Sailed on the Mayflower in 1620 by Ann McGovern, illustrated by Anna Divito (Dec 1991)
From Goodreads: “What if you sailed on the Mayflower?
A different time…a different place…What if you were there?
If you sailed on the Mayflower
–What could you take with you?
–How would you keep clean?
–What would you do when you first got to shore?
Get ready to go back in time to 1620 to discover what it was like to sail the Mayflower!”
AGES 7–10
Sarah Gives Thanks: How Thanksgiving Became a National Holiday by Mike Allegra, illustrated by David Gardner (Sept 2012)
From Goodreads: “During the nineteenth century, Sarah Josepha Hale dedicated her life to making Thanksgiving a national holiday, all while raising a family and becoming a groundbreaking writer and women’s magazine editor. Sarah Hale’s inspiring story, accompanied by luscious watercolor illustrations, tells the tale of one woman who wouldn’t take no for an answer.”
AGES 6–10
Sharing the Bread: An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving Story by Pat Zitlow Miller and Jill McElmurry (Sept 2015)
From Goodreads: “Celebrate food and family with this heartwarming Thanksgiving picture book. We will share the risen bread. / Our made-with-love Thanksgiving spread. / Grateful to be warm and fed. / We will share the bread. In this spirited ode to the holiday, set at the turn of the twentieth century, a large family works together to make their special meal. Mama prepares the turkey, Daddy tends the fire, Sister kneads, and Brother bastes. Everyone—from Grandma and Grandpa to the littlest baby—has a special job to do. Told in spare, rhythmic verse and lively illustrations, Sharing the Bread is a perfect read-aloud to celebrate the Thanksgiving tradition.”
AGES 4–8
Thankful by Eileen Spinelli, illustrated by Archie Preston (Sept 2015)
From Goodreads: “Celebrate everyday blessings, practice thankfulness, and observe the wonderful acts of service that keep us going each and every day. Eileen Spinelli, bestselling and award-winning children’s author, charms with rhymes and whimsy in Thankful, perfect for any young reader and their family.
Thankful is a heartwarming picture book that teaches children ages 4–8 to:
Focus on the blessings that we tend to take for granted
Appreciate essential workers and what people in our everyday lives provide: “Like the gardener thankful for every green sprout, and the fireman, for putting the fire out.”
Meant to be read aloud, Thankful features:
Endearing storytelling with engaging rhyming text, making reading fun for readers young and old
Whimsical illustrations with soft colors and bold lines, perfect for any season.”
AGES 4–8
Thanksgiving for Emily Ann by Teresa Johnston, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton (Aug 2014)
From Goodreads: “Celebrate Thanksgiving in this sweet, rhyming story all about family and togetherness!
Emily Ann doesn’t like Thanksgiving, not one bit. With all the hustle and bustle of the holiday, she feels a little ignored…and just a little bit sad. But just as Emily Ann prepares to do her worst, her family comes together to show her what matters most about Thanksgiving: family.
With charming illustrations by Vanessa Brantley-Newton (One Love and Every Little Thing, both by Cedella Marley), this is a heartwarming holiday treat to share and treasure for many seasons to come. A celebration of family, friends, and the special day that brings them all together.”
AGES 3–5
Thanksgiving in the Woods by Phyllis Alsdurf, illustrated by Jenny Lovlie (Oct 2017)
From Goodreads: “Thanksgiving in the Woods is based on the true story of a family in Upstate New York who has hosted an outdoor Thanksgiving feast in the woods on their farm for over twenty years.”
AGES 4–8
Thanksgiving Rules by Laurie Friedman, illustrated by Teresa Murfin (Aug 2009)
From Goodreads: “Percy Isaac Gifford’s Official Thanksgiving Decree: I officially command you to eat EVERYTHING you see! Percy knows just what to do to get the most out of this delicious holiday. And so will you if you follow his ten simple rules. From “the early bird gets the turkey” to “life is sweeter when you eat sweets,” his rules will help you eat your way through the big meal. But is there more to Thanksgiving than stuffed turkey and sweet potatoes with marshmallows? See how Percy discovers the true recipe for a perfect Thanksgiving holiday.”
AGES 5–9
This Is the Turkey by Abby Levine, illustrated by Paige Billin-Frye (Sept 2000)
From Goodreads: “Max is excited about the big turkey he has picked out for his family’s Thanksgiving dinner. He and his sister help prepare the fixings, and soon his friends and relatives bring their own dishes and merriment. At last, it’s time to bring in Max’s turkey. But watch out! Mom steps on a toy car and the turkey goes flying — landing in the fish tank! How can there be Thanksgiving without a turkey?
Abby Levine’s humorous, rhyming story gets to the heart of the Thanksgiving celebration. Max and his family were first introduced in This Is the Pumpkin.”
AGES 4–8
This Little Turkey by Aly Fronis, illustrated by Migy Blanco (Sept 2016)
From Goodreads: “A fun, Thanksgiving-themed twist on the classic nursery rhyme “This Little Piggy”!
This little turkey knitted a sweater.
This little turkey grabbed a treat.
This little turkey set the table.
And this little turkey said, “Let’s eat!”
These little turkeys have a lot of work to do to prepare for Thanksgiving! One goes to the market, one sweeps the floor, one draws pictures, one knits a sweater, and sets the table. Now they’re all ready to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving.”
AGES 3–5
‘Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving by Dav Pilkey (Sept 2020)
From Goodreads: “From Dav Pilkey, creator of the New York Times bestselling Dog Man and Captain Underpants series, comes a tall tale of tall-tailed toms!
On the night before Thanksgiving, a group of children visit a turkey farm and meet Farmer Mack Nuggett and his coop of cockerels: Ollie, Stanley, Larry, Moe, Wally, Beaver, Shemp, and Groucho. The children and turkeys giggle and gobble, and everything is gravy. As the trip comes to an end, the children leave the farm with full hearts–and bulging bellies–reminding people and poultry alike that there is much to be thankful for.”
AGES 4–8
What Is Thanksgiving? by Michelle Medlock Adams, illustrated by Amy Wummer (Sept 2014)
From Goodreads: “Suitable for children of ages 2 to 5 years, this board book helps us to understand that Thanksgiving is really about showing gratitude for all the blessings in our lives.”
AGES 2–5