The Best Thanksgiving Books For Kids

These Thanksgiving books are amazing and a great way to spend time with your family retelling the Thanksgiving story in traditional and new ways. These stories for Thanksgiving are our favorite Thanksgiving books for kids that will teach them about the first Thanksgiving and beyond. Kids of all ages will love these Thanksgiving stories and they’re great whether you’re reading them at home or in the classroom.

Thanksgiving Story

The Thanksgiving story is such an important part of Thanksgiving. This list of great Thanksgiving books will keep your kids involved in the history of Thanksgiving.

Kids Activities Blog loves reading with children…especially if it is part of the holiday celebration. Our kids love to read stories and I love helping them learn about one of my favorite holidays.

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Related: Fun Thanksgiving coloring pages

Best Thanksgiving Books for Kids

From history to silliness, all these Thanksgiving books are amazing fun! One of the character-traits that I especially want to cultivate in my children is a sense of contentment in what we have been given and gratitude for the little things around us.

Hopefully, these books can help your children be more thankful while educating them in the history of Thanksgiving and Thanksgiving traditions.

Favorite Thanksgiving Story Books

So without further adieu, these are our favorite Thanksgiving books for kids!

1. The Night Before Thanksgiving by Natasha Wing

One of our family’s favorite things to do each Thanksgiving is to bake a bunch of different pies. That is why we love The Night Before Thanksgiving!

It is fun to read a book that has cute illustrations and mentions so many of the Thanksgiving traditions, from baking pies to watching the parades,   and of course lots of family feasting.

2. The Littlest Pilgrim, by Brandi Dougherty   

I am sure my youngest children can relate with this story, The Littlest Pilgrim. They often want to “help” in the preparation of our Thanksgiving festivities – and too often they get in the way or make a mess.  

This is a cute book about a girl who has similar struggles and learns to have a friend through the process.

3. Turkey Trouble, by Wendy Silvano

Ever think about Thanksgiving from the perspective of a turkey? This book, Turkey Trouble, is super silly. It had my kids giggling as the turkey dresses up to avoid being “caught”.

It’s illustrated by one of my favorites, Lee Harper. We like his other book, Emperor’s Cool Clothes.

4. 10 Fat Turkey’s, by Tony Johnson

This is a rendition of the 10 Little Indians, only it’s Turkeys, sitting on a fence. One thing I love about 10 Fat Turkeys is that it helps early readers with repetitive words and rhyming.

This is one of the more fun picture books that is simple to read that will keep young children entertained with 10 silly turkeys. What a perfect way to instill laughter into this national holiday.

5. Thanksgiving on Thursday, by Mary Pope Osborne

We have several dozen of the Magic Tree House series of books. They are great for kids who are just starting chapter books.

Thanksgiving on Thursday follows Jack and Annie as they travel back and relive the first Thanksgiving.

Learn about the story of the first Thanksgiving as Jack and Annie prepare for Thanksgiving dinner with their new found friends.

This is not only a story of the pilgrims, but the First Natives that were here too enjoying pumpkin pie, a little turkey, other different platters of delicious food, and friendship.

6. Cranberry Thanksgiving, by Wende Devlin

This is a re-release of a classic story of a Grandma and her granddaughter.

Each Thanksgiving they invite someone who is lonely and/or poor over to share dinner with them.

This year Grandma almost loses her secret recipe for Cranberry bread, hence the name Cranberry Thanksgiving.

7. Thanks for Thanksgiving, by Julie Markes 

Being thankful for the little things is a great trait to have. Thanks For Thanksgiving focuses on all the blessing that we have.

The pictures are great for opening discussions of the things your child is thankful for, and there are blank pages so you and your child can list the things you are thankful for.

This could be a cute tradition, to add more items you are grateful for to the book each year.

8. If You Were at the First Thanksgiving, by Anne Kamma

Are your kids past storybooks but not quite ready for chapter books? If You Were At The First Thanksgiving is a great resource non-fiction book for your shelves.

It is part history book, part pretend-inspiration for a dramatic child.

The book asks what your life would be like if you lives in the era of the first Thanksgiving feast.

9. There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Turkey By Lucille Colandro

Who doesn’t love the series about the little old lady who swallows things.

There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Turkey is Thanksgiving themed and a ton of fun. Read it, sing it, it’s a great way to keep kids entertained this Thanksgiving.

10. Balloons over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade By Melissa Sweet

Who doesn’t love the Macy’s parade during Thanksgiving? Now you can learn the True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy Parade!

The Macy’s Thanksgiving day parade was my favorite as a little girl, and so this had to be included in the list of Thanksgiving books for kids!

11. Llama Llama Gives Thanks By Anna Dewdney

If you haven’t checked out a Llama Llama book you’re missing out. There is a Llama Llama book for every holiday season.

And Thanksgiving is no different.

This sweet story is about Llama Llama being thankful and is so much fun for young readers. This is one of my little one’s favorite board books.

12. Little Critter: Just A Special Thanksgiving By Mercer Mayer

Who doesn’t remember Little Critter?! Little Critter used to be among my favorite books and they have the perfect book for this time of year!

Learn about Thanksgiving and being thankful with this book!

13. The Berenstain Bears Give Thanks By Jan and Mike Berenstain

Join the fun as the Berenstain Bears explore the original Thanksgiving story. This story goes beyond just the original Thanksgiving story though and teaches younger readers about God, His mercy, blessings, and grace!

14. A Plump And Perky Turkey By Teresa Bateman

Squawk Valley doesn’t have a turkey for Thanksgiving! Can they trick a turkey to come to town? Will they be able to make the turkey into supper or will he be able to outsmart the town?

15. Thanksgiving Is For Giving Thanks! By Margaret Sutherland and Sonja Lamut

We all know that Thanksgiving is about turkey, pilgrims, and history. But more importantly it is about being thankful and cheerful! Learn how to celebrate this holiday and be thankful for your friends and family with this fun book!

16. I Know An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Pie By Alison Jackson and Judy Schachner

The feast begins! The old lady starts swallowing squash, salad, and turkey before she gets to pie! It’s a funny Thanksgiving story with the classic song!

More Thanksgiving Fun from Kids Activities Blog

• Oh so many Thanksgiving activities for kids
• We have plenty of amazing Thanksgiving projects that would be perfect to go along with these wonderful Thanksgiving stories.
• Free Thanksgiving printables for every part of the holiday.
• Kids can make their own Thanksgiving placemat for the holiday table.
• Even adults will want to color these Thanksgiving doodles.
• Let’s make a handprint turkey or a construction paper turkey craft.
• Oh so many Thanksgiving crafts for kids.

What was your favorite Thanksgiving book for kids? Did we miss something you traditionally read as a family each year?