Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude, family and feasting, making it the perfect holiday to share with young readers. Discover a world of heartwarming stories and colorful illustrations with our guide to the best Thanksgiving books for kids.
From heartwarming tales of family togetherness to funny fables about unlikely friendships, there’s a Thanksgiving book out there for every young reader. Whether you’re looking to teach the importance of gratitude, share the history of the holiday or simply enjoy a good laugh, these carefully selected stories will make your Thanksgiving celebration even more special.
Board books for children 3 and under
Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude and family; introducing these concepts to young children is essential. Board books offer the perfect way to share the spirit of the holiday with toddlers, using simple language and engaging visuals. Let’s explore some of the best Thanksgiving board books to help your little ones understand and appreciate this special occasion.
“Five Silly Turkeys” by Salina Yoon
The turkeys in this book are anything but ordinary. They do silly things like tan in the sun, twirl on the dance floor and get chased by a bee. This rhyming and counting book has tail feathers that crinkle when touched, so young children will enjoy grabbing them while listening.
“Five Little Thank-Yous” by Cindy Jin
This book is shaped like a handprint turkey and focuses on the meaning of the holiday. It features a rhyming text that celebrates some of the things to be thankful for. Children and parents will love the colorful illustrations.
“Pookie’s Thanksgiving” by Sandra Boynton
Little Pookie helps make pies and set the table for dinner. After dinner, the pig family shares what they’re thankful for while enjoying dessert. With engaging illustrations and rhyming text, kids and parents will enjoy reading this story again and again.
“Where is Baby’s Turkey?” by Karen Katz
Baby is looking for a stuffed turkey in this lift-the-flap book. The colorful illustrations and engaging text will also keep young readers engaged. The story is simple and easy to follow.
“You’re My Little Cutie Pie” by Nicola Edwards
Rhyming text and cute illustrations of cranberries, turkeys and pumpkin pies capture the interest of toddlers. This festive Thanksgiving board book has cutouts and raised elements to keep young readers’ attention.
Stories for preschoolers
Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude, family and delicious food. Young children are naturally curious and eager to learn, and sharing stories is a wonderful way to introduce them to this special holiday. Engaging tales about turkeys and giving thanks can spark their imaginations and create lasting memories.
“10 Fat Turkeys” by Tony Johnston
10 silly turkeys do all sorts of things, like swing from a vine and do a noodle dance in this rhyming and counting story for preschoolers. The colorful illustrations keep kids engaged, and the short rhymes are just long enough for their attention span.
“The Night Before Thanksgiving” by Natasha Wing
A family prepares for Thanksgiving by baking pies and setting the table in this holiday book. Cousins and family arrive, too, so it is a great book that introduces the celebration to preschoolers. It is full of rhymes and engaging illustrations that keep children’s attention.
“Bear Says Thanks” by Karma Wilson
In this rhyming story, Bear decides to say thanks to his friends by inviting them over for dinner. As his friends arrive for the feast, he realizes his cupboards are bare, and he has nothing to contribute. His friends help him understand that his stories are the most valuable contribution.
“How to Catch a Turkey” by Adam Wallace
A turkey gets loose in the school right before the Thanksgiving play. Adults and children try to catch the turkey in all sorts of crazy ways, including a catapult, a maze and a slingshot. Preschoolers can get into the fun by coming up with their own ways to catch the turkey.
“While we also read educational books around Thanksgiving on how to be thankful, my 4-year-old girl’s absolute favorite is ‘How to Catch a Turkey’ by Adam Wallace. She loves the silly plot and colorful illustrations and laughs out loud every time.”
— Tamara Tsaturyan, Thriving In Parenting
“Thanksgiving in the Woods” by Phyllis Alsdurf
Based on a true story, this book follows a family as they set up for a Thanksgiving feast in the woods. Everyone brings something to share to celebrate family, friendship and gratitude. The warm illustrations and rhyming text will keep kids engaged.
Thanksgiving books for kids 6 to 8
For kids aged six to eight, Thanksgiving is a time of growing curiosity about the world around them. These books offer age-appropriate introductions to the traditions of the holiday while also incorporating fun and engaging stories to capture young imaginations. With vivid illustrations and relatable characters, these books will help children appreciate the spirit of gratitude and sharing.
“Nate the Great Talks Turkey” by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat and Mitchell Sharmat
Nate the Great is back in another mystery story, and a turkey is on the loose this time. Kids will love following the clues to solve the mystery with Nate and his friends. This book is great for children just learning to read chapter books.
“It’s Thanksgiving” by Jack Prelutsky
Jack Prelutsky is an award-winning children’s poet, and this book features 12 of his silly Thanksgiving poems. The poems are meant to make kids laugh, and parents will enjoy the rhymes, too.
“Gratitude is My Superpower” by Alicia Ortego
Little Betsy learns that happiness is made of the simple things in life. She begins to feel gratitude with the help of a magic stone. When she loses the magic stone, she realizes gratitude is hidden in her heart.
“Fancy Nancy: Our Thanksgiving Banquet” by Jane O’Connor
Fancy Nancy is back in this story, which is all about her family’s Thanksgiving celebration. They have all kinds of good food like turkey, green beans, cranberry sauce and Grandma’s secret stuffing. Nancy enjoys being with her family and is grateful for their company.
“Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade” by Melissa Sweet
Did you know the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade started with a boy and his puppets? Tony Sang’s love for bringing characters to life caught the eye of Macy’s, who hired him to create a magical window display. That spark ignited an idea — a parade for Macy’s employees. This book shows how a simple concept transformed into the iconic parade we know today.
Final thoughts
With a wide range of stories and illustrations, these Thanksgiving books offer a wonderful opportunity to introduce young readers to the spirit of gratitude and togetherness. By sharing these tales, families can create lasting memories and foster a deeper appreciation for the holiday. So, gather your little ones, curl up with a cozy blanket and embark on a heartwarming Thanksgiving reading adventure.
Heidi is a Certified Elementary School Teacher in the Inland Northwest and has been teaching for 18 years. She is also a vintage recipe blogger at RealLifeofLulu, where she focuses on recipes that are at least 50 years old, many from her grandparents’ kitchens. When she isn’t teaching or baking, she loves spending time with her husband and three kids.