26 Best Thanksgiving Books for Toddlers, Preschoolers and Little Kids
Discover the best Thanksgiving books for toddlers, preschoolers, and kids. From fun turkey stories to picture books about gratitude and Native American history, find the perfect family read for November.
Thanksgiving is such a special time of year. Between the delicious Thanksgiving dinner, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and the chance to gather around the table with family and friends, it’s one of those holidays that kids remember for a long time. One of the best ways to introduce little ones to the true meaning of Thanksgiving is through books.
Whether you’re looking for turkey books for preschool, sweet rhyming board books for toddlers, or meaningful stories that introduce kids to Native peoples and the story of the first Thanksgiving, this list is full of wonderful options. These Thanksgiving preschool books and toddler-friendly picture books will help you spark conversations about gratitude, family, and traditions in a way that’s accessible for young readers.
From funny turkey tales to thankful books about everyday things, here are the best Thanksgiving books for toddlers, preschoolers, and kids.
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Why Thanksgiving Books Are a Great Way to Teach Kids
Books are such a powerful tool for young children. For toddlers and preschoolers, picture books provide simple, colorful ways to explore big ideas like gratitude and family traditions. For older kids, children’s literature about Thanksgiving can dive deeper into themes of history, cultural perspectives, and even the story of the first Thanksgiving.
Reading Thanksgiving stories together is also a perfect way to:
- Encourage fine motor skills through turning pages and flap books.
- Give toddlers and preschoolers fun activities while you prep your holiday meal.
- Spark curiosity about American Indians, Native peoples, and indigenous traditions.
- Share in the joy of holiday adventures as a whole family.
From funny turkey tales to thankful books about everyday things, here are the best Thanksgiving books for toddlers, preschoolers, and kids. You can also click here to find them all in my Amazon storefront for easy shopping!
Best Toddler Thanksgiving Books (Board Books & Rhyming Stories)
For toddlers and young readers, Thanksgiving board books are a fun, simple way to capture their attention. These are short, colorful, and often come with rhyming text or lift-the-flap features that make them interactive.
- Llama Llama Gives Thanks by Anna Dewdney
Llama Llama and his mama prepare for a delicious Thanksgiving feast in this short and sweet rhyming book. Perfect for little hands and busy toddlers. - Peppa Pig: Peppa Gives Thanks
Peppa and George learn about gratitude and family during a fun Thanksgiving celebration. Toddlers who love favorite characters like Peppa will adore this one. - You’re My Little Cutie Pie by Nicola Edwards
With rhyming text paired with sweet Thanksgiving favorites, little readers will love the cut-outs and other interactive features as you read this festive Thanksgiving board book. - Where is Baby’s Turkey by Karen Katz
This interactive flap book gives toddlers the chance to lift and discover hidden surprises. A great opportunity for building curiosity and learning holiday vocabulary. - You’re the Apple of My Pie by Rose Rossner
Filled with warm autumn illustrations and adorable puns with heartwarming messages of love and gratitude - I Love to Gobble You Up! by Sandra Magsamen
Features sturdy board pages and soft, tactile turkey “feathers” made of real felt, this is the perfect book for a Thanksgiving cuddle.
Best Thanksgiving Books for Preschoolers
Preschoolers love fun stories with silly turkeys, familiar characters, and interactive elements. These books also make great turkey books for preschool classrooms or the kid’s table on Thanksgiving Day.
- Turkey Trouble by Wendi Silvano
This favorite turkey book follows a clever turkey who disguises himself to avoid becoming the main course at Thanksgiving dinner. A funny story with lots of laughs. - A Plump and Perky Turkey by Teresa Bateman
This fun book about a small town trying to lure a turkey is filled with rhymes and silly illustrations. A great turkey book for preschool circle time. - The Berenstain Bears Give Thanks by Jan & Mike Berenstain
Join the Bear family as they celebrate with a delicious Thanksgiving feast, talk about religious freedom, and share gratitude for their blessings. - Bear Says Thanks by Karma Wilson
A rhyming book where Bear invites friends to a feast but has nothing to share — until he realizes that his thankful words are the perfect Thanksgiving craft of the heart. - We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga by Traci Sorell
Written by a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, this gorgeous picture book follows a diverse family and their community as they express thanks in different ways throughout the year. - I Am Thankful by Sheri Wall
An adorable, rhyming storybook that follows three different families as they celebrate the holiday with their own traditions, acts of kindness, and ways of giving back. - Thanksgiving Is for Giving Thanks by Margaret Sutherland
This classic picture book introduces even the littlest readers to the idea of expressing gratitude for small things in life — like family, food, and friends. - How to Catch a Turkey by Adam Wallace
Follow along as students turn their school upside down trying to catch the turkey! - I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie by Alison Jackson
This humorous twist on the classic “old lady” stories is a fun Thanksgiving craft tie-in. Your toddler will giggle at the old lady who eats the main course, pumpkin pie, and more. - Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story by Kevin Noble Maillard
This award-winning book beautifully shares a Native American family story about food, culture, and love. It’s a great way to introduce toddlers to the traditions of indigenous peoples during the holiday season. - A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving
The book version of the beloved Thanksgiving TV special!
Best Thanksgiving Books for Early Elementary Kids
For older kids in kindergarten through 2nd grade, these children’s books dig deeper into Thanksgiving themes like gratitude, family traditions, and American Indian history.
- An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving by Louisa May Alcott & Illustrated by James Bernardin
This old-fashioned Thanksgiving story is a holiday classic. Follow the story of a young boy and little girl helping their family during a busy holiday meal. - Cranberry Thanksgiving by Wende & Harry Devlin
A favorite Thanksgiving children’s book about Maggie, her grandmother, and a secret recipe for cranberry bread. Includes a recipe for you to try at your own Thanksgiving table. - Magic Tree House: Thanksgiving on Thursday by Mary Pope Osborne
Jack and Annie travel back to the very first Americans and the first Thanksgiving. A fun holiday adventure for early chapter book readers. - Thank You, Sarah: The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving by Laurie Halse Anderson
This nonfiction book tells the true story of Sarah Hale, the woman who convinced President Abraham Lincoln to make Thanksgiving a national holiday. A perfect way to connect kids to history. - Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message by Chief Jake Swamp
This Native American family story is a thanksgiving address from the Haudenosaunee people, reminding young readers of the importance of gratitude for everyday things. - Our Table by Peter H. Reynolds
A sweet story about a family rediscovering the joy of gathering around the dinner table. A lovely book list addition for readers of all ages. - Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade by Melissa Sweet
Meet the master puppeteer who invented the first balloons for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The Caldecott Honor artist brilliantly captures the essence of Tony Sarg, a self-taught immigrant with a fascinating imagination. - Little Critter: Just So Thankful by Mercer Mayer
This sweet story shows how Little Critter learns that sometimes the best things aren’t things at all — they’re the people you love. - Squanto’s Journey by Joseph Bruchac
This true story tells the story of the first Thanksgiving from the perspective of Squanto, a Native American who helped the Pilgrims survive their first winter.
How to Use Thanksgiving Books with Kids
Here are some fun Thanksgiving activities and seasonal ideas to go along with your Thanksgiving reading list:
- Pair Turkey Trouble with a paper bag turkey craft or pine cone turkeys for a silly follow-up activity (see our Easy Thanksgiving Crafts for Toddlers).
- Read Cranberry Thanksgiving and then bake cranberry bread, pumpkin pie or pumpkin muffins together to enjoy at your own Thanksgiving dinner.
- After Bear Says Thanks, let kids create their own thankful turkey craft by writing or drawing small things they’re grateful for on colorful turkey feathers (see our Thanksgiving Thankful Turkey Craft).
- Share We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga and then try a family gratitude activity.
- Use books like Magic Tree House: Thanksgiving on Thursday or Squanto’s Journey to start conversations about the story of the first Thanksgiving, then invite kids to reflect on what they’ve learned with coloring pages or a storytelling activity.
- Bring out Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie at the kids’ table on Thanksgiving Day and encourage little ones to act out the story for extra fun and add humor to your Thanksgiving theme storytime.
Looking for more holiday fun? Pair your Thanksgiving reading with one of these ideas:
- Thanksgiving Movies for Kids Rated G
- 50 Thanksgiving Family Activities to Make the Holiday Extra Special
- 65 Non Perishable Foods for a Thanksgiving Food Drive
Final Thoughts: Building Gratitude Through Books
Whether you’re reading a fun turkey story, a Native American history book, or a sweet thankful book, the best part is the time of year you spend together as a family. Sharing favorite Thanksgiving books with your kids of all ages is a great way to create cozy memories, teach gratitude, and connect with the holiday season.
So this November, grab a stack of Thanksgiving preschool books, toddler board books, and picture books. Snuggle up with your little turkey, share a laugh, and maybe even enjoy a slice of pumpkin pie while you read.
Happy Thanksgiving, and happy reading!
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