Thanksgiving is just around the corner! I have compiled a list of my favorite books to read aloud during the month of November.
This list focuses mainly on being thankful, turkeys and the family feast because the concept of the First Thanksgiving is a very abstract one for young children to grasp.
Disclosure: Amazon links included below
Thanksgiving Book List
Bear Says Thanks by Karma Wilson
A celebration of friendship and family featuring Karma Wilson’s beloved bear character. If you’re not familiar with this series run, don’t walk to your nearest library or bookstore! Beautiful illustrations paired with rhyming text make this series the perfect read aloud for any preschool or kindergarten classroom.
Over the River by Derek Anderson
An amusing take on the classic song where turkeys take the place of humans. The vivid, eye-catching illustrations will capture the attention of your students and the hilarious antics will keep them engaged.
10 Fat Turkeys by Tony Johnston
The silly rhyming text teaches children how to count backwards from ten. While it may be silly it can also be used as a tool to support the Common Core through the development of mathematical fluency. Children need to be able to fluently count forward and backward and know what numerals come before and after. Ten Fat Turkeys is the perfect book to support the concept of mathematical fluency.
Turkey Trouble by Wendi J. Silvano
A hilarious story about a turkey who disguises himself to avoid the inevitable on Thanksgiving Day. Turkey’s attempts at disguising himself will have your students giggling from start to finish. Click on the picture of the book cover and check out the preview on Amazon- too cute!
I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie by Alison Jackson
I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie is one of my personal Thanksgiving read-aloud favorites. This book can be used as a tool for supporting sequencing and re-telling skills. I have also created some free printables to go along with this story; you can find them on the Thanksgiving page.
Thanks for Thanksgiving by Julie Markes
Simple rhyming text coupled with beautiful watercolor illustrations capture the true spirit of being thankful from the perspective of a child.
Thanksgiving is for Giving Thanks by Margaret Sutherland
A simple book appropriate for young children that will help explain the concept of being thankful. This book features multicultural characters, and is perfect for young children who are second language learners.
The Thankful Book by Todd Parr
From bestselling author Todd Parr, The Thankful Book celebrates all the little things children can give thanks for. Parr’s distinctive illustrations and relatable text make this a must have for all early childhood classrooms.
Over the River and Through the Woods by Lydia Maria Francis Child, illustrated by John Steven Gurnsey
While it is only available second-hand, this is one of my favorite Thanksgiving books. The full-page illustrations are very detailed and the text follows the classic song word for word. I love to read this book aloud and then introduce the children to the song. You can see an extensive preview on Amazon, but ignore the editorial reviews – they are for the wrong book.
Who Will Carve the Turkey This Thanksgiving? by Jerry Pallotta
I love this “Who will…?” series by Jerry Pallotta so much I just had to include it! Although it is only available as used it is well worth it. The illustrations are amazing and the funny premise has my students howling with laughter every time. After reading this book aloud, ask your class what other animals they can think of and then create your own class book.
More Thanksgiving Resources:
Thanksgiving Literacy and Math Packets
Thanksgiving Visual Discrimination Printable
Thanksgiving ABC Matching Printable
Pumpkin Pie in a Cup Recipe
Thanksgiving Race to the Top Printable
Harvest I-Spy Game Printable
Fine Motor Turkey Math Game
Classroom Recipes: Thanksgiving TeePee Treat
Free Thanksgiving Dramatic Play Mini Kit
One-to-One Correspondence Thanksgiving Math Activities
Classroom Recipes: Thanksgiving Turkey Snacks Kids Can Make
2 Ingredient Pumpkin Playdough Recipe
Follow my Thanksgiving board on Pinterest for more great ideas!
Available in the Store
“Who Will Carve My Thanksgiving Turkey?” is available as an interactive book on Scholastic Storia. I use it with my Pre K class on my Promethean Board. The kids love it!
Thank you so much for sharing that information Roseann!
hi!
lovely books, i’ll be sure to check some of them out next year (no time this year, it takes too long to order..). we live in norway, but since my husband is american i want my daughter to be familiar with the traditions of thanksgiving. last year we bought her some board books (curious george has a nice thanksgiving book), and this year she’s reading up a storm at 2 and a half so i purchased a book called “Thanksgiving Rules” by Laurie B. Friedman. it’s a really nifty book with amazing illustrations and a lot of humor! i definitely recommend it, my husband thought it was great!
“This is the Turkey” by Abby Levine.
“Run, Turkey, Run!” by Diane Mayr and Laura Rader is hugely appealing to preschoolers. In fact, it was voted book of the week by my preschoolers last week.
Here’s what it says at the publisher’s website: With Thanksgiving only one day away, can Turkey find a place to hide from the farmer who’s looking for a plump bird for his family feast?
Maybe he can hide with the pigs . . . or the ducks . . . or the horses . . .
Uh-oh! Here comes the farmer!
Run, Turkey, run!
I love Feeling Thankful by Shelley Rotner
http://www.amazon.com/Feeling-Thankful-Shelley-Rotner/dp/0761314377
T’WAS The Night Before Thanksgiving, unfortunately my copy is missing.