Around every holiday or season parents, teachers, and librarians are often asked for books related to the special time ahead. Sometimes it can be very frustrating to find a seasonal book that does more than platy to the commercialized aspects of the holiday, or simply describe a favorite character as they prepare for or celebrate. I am often on the hunt for the perfect book to read aloud and enjoy with my children, or to let them enjoy on their own. Here are some of my favorite picture books about Thanksgiving.
‘Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving by Dav Pilkey is a parody of the poem The Night Before Christmas by Clement Moore. In this version, a group of eight schoolchildren goes on a field trip to Mack Nugget’s farm. Once there the children have great fun playing with young turkeys, but the excitement and laughter ends for them when they see the axe and realize what is in store for the turkeys. The children mysteriously get a little chubbier and sprout some feathers as they board the school bus in order to return to the city. Each schoolchild brings a turkey home to dinner, as a guest. ‘Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving is a fun and lighthearted story that will delight readers and listeners of all ages. The illustrations are bright, doing a wonderful job of magnifying the wacky humor found in the text.
One Little, Two Little, Three Little Pilgrims by B.G. Hennessy features the preparations for the first Thanksgiving in both colonial Plymouth and a Wampanoag village. The simple rhyming text is perfectly paired with cartoon style paintings as the counting pattern tells the story. There is no mention of the hardships of the day, instead focusing on a cheerful illustration of teamwork planning and preparing a harvest celebration. An author’s note gives more information about the food that could have been found at the first Thanksgiving.
Thanks for Thanksgiving by Julie Markes is about giving thanks, but knowing where to start is sometimes hard. The children in this story express thanks for the people and things that make up their lives. This is a sweet picturebook that shows that family and friends are the most important part of any gathering, but are particularly important to remember when giving thanks. This is a great discussion starter for toddlers and preschoolers. Thanks for Thanksgiving includes space for adding your own thankful thoughts and ideas.
A Turkey for Thanksgiving by Eve Bunting is a funny tale about Mr. and Mrs. Moose who want to invite a turkey to their Thanksgiving feast. Mrs. Moose has a splendid paper turkey decorating the table, but would much rather have a real turkey. Mr. Moose tries to fulfill his wife’s wishes. While on his quest, he is joined by those that are already invited to dinner. Turkey is hiding in fear of ending up on a table, and is much relieved to discover that Mrs. Moose wants him as a guest rather than as part of the meal. The watercolor illustrations are a wonderful pairing to the text, expressing the humor and warmth of the story. A Turkey for Thanksgiving is an ideal choice for a family read-aloud or for a storytime setting. It can awaken the holiday spirit in readers or listeners of all ages.
How Many Days to America?: A Thanksgiving Story is a more serious Thanksgiving tale by Eve Bunting, detailing a dangerous boat trip refugees take to reach America’s shores. A family flees an unnamed Caribbean country as a result of soldiers coming to their home. The perilous journey on a crowded fishing boat has moments of terror and moments of beauty. When they arrive, they receive a warm welcome and have special reasons to celebrate Thanksgiving. How Many Days to America?: A Thanksgiving Story is a perfect book to start discussion about pilgrims of all the ages as well as all the things we have to be grateful for in our own lives.
Thanksgiving at the Tappletons’ by Eileen Spinelli is the story about a disastrous Thanksgiving dinner that demonstrates that there is much more to the holiday than turkey and pumpkin pie. The problems start with the turkey falling and sliding al the way out the door and into a pond. The problems continue with the mashed potatoes, salad, and pies. Slap stick comedy and food related catastrophes keep everyone entertained as the under laying message that Thanksgiving should really be about celebrating each other rather than the expected feast.
The Thanksgiving Story by Alice Dalgliesh tells the story of a pilgrim family’s struggle to survive the harsh times of early America. Giles, Constance and Damaris Hopkins children are on board the Mayflower, overcrowded when the Speedwell turns to return to England. While on the trip, the children’s baby brother is born and named Oceanus in honor of where he was born. The newborn will be one of the smallest people to live through the hard first year in the New World. The community gathers to celebrate their survival and the harvest during the following November. The tale concludes with the feast the colonists shared with the Indian chief Massasoit, Squanto, and their people who had been instrumental in surviving the hunger, cold and sickness of the New World.
A Plump and Perky Turkey by Teresa Bateman is about how the inhabitants of Squawk Valley try to trick a turkey into being their main course on Thanksgiving only to be outwitted by the bird. They attempt to make Pete, the turkey, believe that they need him to pose as a model for a craft-fair’s sculptures. The rouse offers Pete continued opportunities the escape the fate of being. The rhyming text is paired with watercolor and gouche illustrations featuring cartoon, angular people.
The Ugly Pumpkin by Dave Horowitz is the story of one sad, oddly shaped pumpkin. He is sad that he was not chosen for Halloween, but discovers that he does in fact belong and have a purpose for Thanksgiving. This picture book has vivid illustrations of various Halloween creatures rejecting the pumpkin, and a surprise ending.
If you are still looking for more, my other recommendations include; My First Thanksgiving by Tomie DePaola, Gracias, the Thanksgiving Turkey by Joy Cowley, What is Thanksgiving? By Harriet Ziefert, Turkey Surprise by Peggy Archer, Thanksgiving Mice! By Bethany Roberts, Thanksgiving is Here! By Diane Goode, The Runaway Pumpkin by Kevin Lewis, and The Perfect Thanksgiving by Eileen Spinelli.