Thanksgiving is not just about eating lots of delicious food, It’s also about being thankful for everything we have in our lives! Nowadays, there are lots to be thankful for; health is at the top of our list, as well as being able to spend holidays with our nearest and dearest.
Thanksgiving books for preschoolers are an excellent way to teach your little ones about the spirit of giving, as well as being thankful for all the little things in life. However, there are lots of Thanksgiving books for preschoolers, so making a choice can be overwhelming. In order to lessen your stress and to give you the opportunity to start early with your child’s Thanksgiving preparations, in this article are listed 15 of the best Thanksgiving books for preschoolers.
15 Of The Best Thanksgiving Books For Preschoolers
This list mainly contains books that are fun and interactive, which will make your child read them again and again. These books portray the real meaning of Thanksgiving, being thankful for all the little things.
1. The Thankful Book by Todd Parr
The Thankful Book is a great book for children; its cheery illustrations and relatable text are sure to be a hit with preschoolers. This book will make them understand what Thanksgiving is all about. It teaches your child to be thankful for the different things that they have and will help them to learn how to share.
2. My Heart Fill with Happiness by Monique Gray Smith
This board book is a wonderful way to teach your child the true meaning of Thanksgiving. My Heart Fill with Happiness teaches toddlers that being thankful for what we have is an important part of life, and it reminds them that they should be grateful for their family, friends, and everything else in their lives. The beautiful illustrations and simple text make this a great resource for teaching children about the holiday.
3. We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga by Traci Sorell
This book celebrates diversity, community, and gratitude through its illustrations of a group of Native Americans. The story is simple yet profound. The Native Americans are grateful for all they have in their lives and thank each other when they need help. This is an ideal book to read with your child during Thanksgiving to remind them that everyone can be thankful for something.
4. The Littlest Pilgrim by Brandi Dougherty
The Littlest Pilgrim is not just a story but also a teaching tool to help your child understand the concept of friendship. It teaches them to value the friends in their lives. This book follows Mini, the littlest Pilgrim in her village. She is too tiny to sew and bake but not too little to make friends. This beautiful story celebrates the gift of friendship.
5. Five Silly Turkeys by Salina Yoon
Kids will enjoy the silly Thanksgiving turkeys in this counting book of silly turkeys doing silly things! From twirling on the dance floor to being chased by the bees to tanning in the sun, these are no ordinary Thanksgiving turkeys. This beautifully- illustrated book is sure to bring a smile to your kiddo’s face.
6. Bear Says Thanks by Karma Wilson
Bear Says Thanks is one of the best books for kids that introduce the idea of saying thanks. It is a wonderful story about a bear who misses his friends, in order to avoid being sad, he decides to make a big dinner, but there’s a problem: Bear’s cupboards are bare! His friends brought him so many wonderful things; now he must say thank you. This story is perfect for teaching kids about being thoughtful, grateful, and kind.
7. Our Table by Peter H. Reynolds
Violet longs for a time when her family was happy and connected: before distractions and technology pulled them all away from each other. They used to gather at the table to share meals and make memories. But now the family has been drifting apart, so Violet takes matters into her own hands. She begins a campaign to remind her family how much they need one another. This book will make you feel connected to your loved ones again!
8. Duck for Turkey Day by Jacqueline Jules
Thanksgiving is almost here, and Tuyet is thrilled about the Holiday and the vacation from school. One problem is that her Vietnamese-American family is having duck for Thanksgiving dinner, not thanksgiving turkey! She thought nobody had prepared duck for thanksgiving, but to her surprise, she enjoyed her yummy thanksgiving dinner anyhow. There’s even a bigger surprise waiting for her at school. Dinners from roast lamb to enchiladas adorned the tables of her classmates. This book tells us that there is no need to have similar things; it’s about the importance of togetherness. Preschoolers from families with different traditions will have fun with this warm story about “the correct way” to celebrate an American holiday.
9. Llama Llama Gives Thanks by Anna Dewdney
Llama Llama Gives Thanks is one of the most fun books for toddlers and preschoolers. This beautifully illustrated book is sure to become a classic for your kid. The story teaches children that being thankful for what you have is a good thing!
10. I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie by Alison Jackson
Have you ever read these rhyming books? They are fun and hilarious! In this version, an old lady swallows a squash, cider, an entire turkey, and more! Your preschoolers will have a blast reading this book. The rhyming words, the humorous story, and of course, the illustrations will make them read it again and again.
11. Thanksgiving in the Woods by Phyllis Alsdurf, Jenny Lovlie
Based on a true story, this beautiful book tells the story of a family that gathers in the woods for Thanksgiving. They share a beautiful meal and quality time together. The text is slow and rhythmic, making it a great read-aloud book for classrooms, homeschools, and story times.
12. Thanksgiving is for Giving Thanks by Margaret Sutherland and Sonja Lamut
In this short but sweet story, little kids recount everything that they are thankful for in their lives. The simple text and the beautiful illustration make it interactive and engaging for young children. This book is a great choice for preschoolers and toddlers learning how to read.
13. Turkey Trouble by Wendi Silvano
Turkey knows that Thanksgiving is his least favorite holiday. So he decides to wear different costumes to disguise himself. Children will enjoy Turkey’s attempts to hide from the family. This is a funny and entertaining story that children will love reading again and again.
14. We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom
We are all responsible for taking care of the planet. Thanksgiving can also be spent in a meaningful way by showing concern and gratitude for the environment. By reading this book to your kids, you will help them be aware of their surroundings and take action when necessary to preserve our planet! Also, instill a sense of gratitude in them by the way nature supports us.
15. The Night Before Thanksgiving by Natasha Wing
Thanksgiving requires lots of preparation and hard work. This book will help the kids understand what their parents go through on this special day. The Night Before Thanksgiving is a cute story about how two siblings help their mom prepare for this holiday by doing the chores that need to be done!
Simple Tips for Reading to Kids
This thanksgiving day, we know you’ll be busy baking pumpkin pies, cleaning the kitchen, and doing other chores around the house. So ensure you cuddle up with your kids, read them one of these beautiful books, and then make new memories together! Here are tips to ensure that you read to your kids in the best way possible:
- Choose a place where your child is comfortable, whether it’s their bed, couch, or chair. Set them in a cozy spot and make sure that they feel relaxed and at ease. These are most beneficial for toddlers who are learning how to read!
- Pick the book appropriate for your child’s interest and reading level. Research shows that children read to each day are more likely to read on their own, which will also help kids develop a lifelong love for reading. All kids like different types of books, so give them the opportunity to show you what they like!
- Read thanksgiving books for preschoolers in a loud and clear voice. Make sure that your child can hear you and that his/her attention is on the book.
- Be patient when your child is reading or having difficulty with a word. Provide support by repeating the word or looking for it with them in the book.
- Ask questions about the story you’re reading. This will help your child gain more interest and understanding of the plot and characters.
- Finally, have fun with the book by reading it in a happy and excited voice. Kids love to hear it over and over again!
Other Things Your Kids Can Do On Thanksgiving:
There are lots of other things that children can do on Thanksgiving besides eating and reading. Here are some ideas that you can use to engage your child:
- Make Thanksgiving crafts for kids and play with them for hours! You could make a thanksgiving craft such as a turkey hat, a turkey crayon, or a turkey finger puppet. Have fun with these crafts, and make sure to have your kids share their creations with you too!
- Engage in Thanksgiving Activities for Kids, like movie marathons and Scavenger Hunts for Kids.
These will help keep your kids busy and happy throughout the holidays!
Conclusion
Here at NY Baby Steps, we understand how important books are for children. Even just a few minutes of reading to your kids can greatly impact their lives. Thanksgiving is one of the perfect holidays to get your kids excited about books and reading. So be sure to read these books with your child; it will be fun!
Here’s wishing you a very happy Thanksgiving full of love, joy, food, and fun! Please be safe and have fun with your loved ones during the holiday.
