Grateful for These Thanksgiving Picture Book Read-Alouds

Homeschool parents and elementary teachers looking to share the very best Thanksgiving picture books with their students will find this post helpful. It includes recommendations for exceptional Thanksgiving picture books and a plentitude of fuss-free ideas to celebrate the holiday in a meaningful and memorable way.

“Give thanks for a little and you will find a lot.” -Nigerian Proverb

Poor Thanksgiving. Sandwiched between two splashy, look-at-me holidays, Thanksgiving often flies under-the-radar, breezing in and out of November without much notice or fanfare.

Christmas decorations line the shelves before the Halloween items even get packed away. Folks are setting up trees, humming carols, buying matching plaid pajamas and streaming Hallmark movies. But what about Thanksgiving?? Shouldn’t it get more than a day of celebration too?

I want to go on the record by saying, I notice you, Thanksgiving.

I propose a pause to the Christmas preparations so that we can come together, through picture book read alouds and conversations, to properly appreciate the importance and relevance of giving thanks.

Here are some of my favorite Thanksgiving picture books to read aloud to students. They are filled with humor, reflection, and consideration of our past, present, and future. They don’t require a cutesy craft or a bulletin board or a writing prompt. They don’t even need a lesson plan. They simply need to be shared and enjoyed together–without fuss or flash–just like the holiday that they are honoring.

*As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small amount from qualified purchases.*

Thanksgiving at the Tappletons’ By: Eileen Spinelli

The Tappletons always make a fuss over Thanksgiving. But this year each Thanksgiving task turns into a total fiasco. The turkey slips away, the bakery is sold out of pies, the mashed potatoes end up on the wall, and so on and so forth until each food item is a victim of misfortune. When Grandfather Tappleton declares that he’s hungry enough to eat six elephants the Tappletons look at one another in despair: what is Thanksgiving dinner without the Thanksgiving foods? A satisfying ending reminds us that “there is more to Thanksgiving than a turkey and trimmings.” This is hands-down my favorite Thanksgiving picture book to read aloud!

One is a Feast for Mouse By: Judy Cox

With the Thanksgiving meal over, Mouse peeks out of his hole and spots one small green pea: the perfect feast for one mouse. But then he spots the leftover cranberries, glowing like rubies on a silver saucer. As he piles on the carrots, the mashed potatoes, the gravy boat, and other delicious morsels he soon realizes that getting his feast back to his hidey-hole is going to pose a problem. Figurative language abounds in this sweet tale which gently reminds us to be thankful for the small things.

Thankful By: Elaine Vickers

“When the first snow falls, we make thankful chains to last us through December.” A little girl takes paper, scissors, and pencils and on each slip of paper she writes down things for which she is thankful. Big things like her parents, home, dog, and friends. And little things like soup, socks, pencils, and paper. Each item is a link on her thankful chain, which by the end of the story loops all the way around her window, framing the snow falling on the outside world. A wonderful springboard for discussion about giving thanks for things big and small.

A Turkey for Thanksgiving By: Eve Bunting

Mrs. Moose longs for a real turkey for her Thanksgiving table, so Mr. Moose sets off to find one for her. Along the way he meets his dinner companions, Rabbit, Porcupine, and Mr. Goat, who insist on helping him secure the Thanksgiving turkey. Upon bringing the terrified turkey back to the house the characters discover that Mrs. Moose wants the turkey AT her table, not ON her table. Readers will delight in this humorous misunderstanding and even the youngest of listeners will appreciate Eve Bunting’s rich language and vivid descriptions. 

Balloons Over Broadway By: Melissa Sweet

Every Thanksgiving morning for over 80 years enormous balloons line the streets of New York City while the whole world watches in wonder. How did the parade begin and who had the idea to fly these giant inflatable puppets? Meet Tony Sarg—inventor and puppeteer—who used his fascinating imagination to bring the parade to life. Melissa Sweet’s unique and inventive illustrations capture the whimsical nature of this inspiring non-fiction text.  

Thank You, Sarah: The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving By: Laurie Halse Anderson

“Way back when skirts were long and hats were tall, Thanksgiving was fading away.” Enter Sarah Hale: a bold, brave, stubborn, and smart woman who strongly believed that Thanksgiving should be a national holiday. She picked up her pen and wrote thousands of letters, asking politicians to make Thanksgiving a holiday that the whole country could celebrate together, like a family. Sarah’s crusade took her through four decades, the Civil War, five presidents, and countless bottles of ink and she didn’t give up until Abraham Lincoln said YES. An inspiring story of determination and how the power of the pen can change the world.  

Fry Bread By: Kevin Noble Maillard

“We strengthen each other to learn, change, and survive.”

Told in descriptive verse by Seminole Nation member Kevin Noble Maillard, a modern-day native American family comes together to share joy, stories, and history as they make fry bread. The illustrations are exceptional, as is the back matter which includes Kevin’s recipe for fry bread and comprehensive information about American Indian history and culture. Listeners of all ages will appreciate this beautiful poem of flavor, history, and family traditions.

The Great Thanksgiving Escape By: Mark Fearing

It’s another Thanksgiving at Grandma’s and Gavin is not at all excited to be stuck with the drooling babies and pesky toddlers while the turkey is cooking. When cousin Rhonda proposes an escape to the swing set in the backyard, she doesn’t have to twist his arm. Dodging vicious guard dogs, smothering aunts, and zombie-like teenagers they finally make it to the door, only to find a wet dreary day awaiting them. A lighthearted read that invites readers to create their own adventures.

Keepunumuk: Weeâchumun’s Thanksgiving Story By: Danille Greendeer, Anthony Perry, and Alexis Bunten

How is the story of Thanksgiving different when told from a Native perspective? Four hundred years ago, Weeachumun (the wise corn) and her sisters, Beans and Squash persuaded the First Peoples to help the Pilgrims harvest their crops, thus making their survival possible. An important book that honors the history and tradition surrounding the story of the first Thanksgiving.

*Tip: Study the Important Words to Know before reading this book aloud.

In November By: Cynthia Rylant

“In November, at winter’s gate, the stars are brittle. The sun is a sometime friend. And the world has tucked her children in, with a kiss on their heads, till spring.”

Cynthia Rylant’s lyrical depiction of autumn—the chilly air, the bare trees, the snuggling animals—make you want to curl up in an armchair by a window with a mug of tea.  We Florida folk find this book and its warm, cozy autumnal themes especially fascinating.

Want some other {free!} ways to celebrate Thanksgiving in the classroom without fuss or fanfare?

• Have students write a letter of gratitude to a member of their family. You can use this stationary from Laura Santos as a final draft.
  
• Make thankful collages. Have students draw or cut out pictures from a magazine of things that they are grateful for. Make sure you create one too!
  
• Similarly, make a thankful chain to display in the classroom. Use Elaine Vickers’ beautiful book as a mentor text and springboard.
  
• Display quotes about gratitude around the classroom. Have students jot down their thoughts and how they might apply the quote to their own lives. The Counseling Teacher has a great list to choose from.
  
• Complete a gratitude journal at school or at home. I love this one from Kitchen Table Classroom.
  
• Analyze primary sources to learn about the 1621 harvest celebration. {See Freebie below!} This book ties in perfectly with the webquest.
  
• Paint Gratitude Rocks.
  
• Perform a reader’s theater. These two are my faves:
  
  

  A Turkey Takes a StandTwas the Night Before Thanksgiving

Ok, this one is kind of a fuss and I’m not sure I would take it on in the classroom, but I’m going to make these teeny tiny turkey tables at home with my boys and use them for edible place settings! Take that, Christmas cookies! 😆

What are your favorite ways to celebrate Thanksgiving with kids? I’d love to hear!

yours in reading,
rawley