Compilation – Thanksgiving Books for Children

Several years ago, I was given some hand-me down Thanksgiving books for my children. A friend’s older children had out-grown them and she kindly offered them to me. Since that time, I have steadily added to the collection and pull them out each year with the cornucopia, scarecrows, toilet paper and panty hose turkeys (you would have to see them to understand) and a variety of “I Am Thankful For” turkeys featuring my children’s handprint as the feathers.

While all of these knick-knacks decorate the house and set the tone for the holiday, our book collection serves to get us in a thankful state of mind. As we sit down and read these books again each year, the stories never grow old… the history of Thanksgiving and our many reasons to be thankful.

Why not start a new holiday tradition with your own children or grandchildren and give them a book about Thanksgiving? Continue to add to the collection over the years and you will have something for the generation to come. Here are a few titles from my family’s collection:

(all books are available on www.amazon.com or better yet, ask your local independent book store to order them)

Thank You, Sarah: The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving

This story tells the inspirational story of the very persistent Sarah Hale (author of “Mary Had a Little Lamb”) whose determination made Thanksgiving the national celebration that it is today. It took her 38 years and numerous presidential requests but she got it done! The illustrations and writing are clever and carry the story along truly making history come alive.

Give Thanks to the Lord: Celebrating Psalm 92

Sweet, sweet Thanksgiving book to share with the kiddos! Celebrate the joys and blessings of Thanksgiving, family and food.

The Thanksgiving Story

This 1954 book is just as timely today and is a wonderful explanation of the first Thanksgiving. It tells the story of one family’s first Thanksgiving in the Plymouth Colony, strikingly presented in stylized, naive pictures like colored etchings. It seems to be historically accurate and tells the story of the Hopkins family as they cross the Atlantic to find a new home in North America.

The Berenstain Bears Give Thanks

In this book from the Living Lights Berenstain Bear series, The Berenstain cubs act out the first Thanksgiving—complete with costumes, props and a full Thanksgiving feast. The book shows how God provided for the pilgrims and reminds children of God’s many blessings.

Thanks for Thanksgiving

This sweet book illustrates the grateful attitude in action through a child’s eyes as he observes his family preparing for the big turkey Feast and plays through the many ordinary, special moments with his family members in the traditions that impart meaning to this all-important American holiday. From the turkey on the table to warm, cozy cuddles, life is full of small things and bigger pleasures and this book serves to remind us the most important is being able to share them with family and friends.

Thanksgiving is for Giving Thanks

Sure, Thanksgiving is about pilgrims and history–and turkey, of course!–but most importantly, it’s a holiday all about everything that we are thankful for. This book has lots of cheerful, colorful illustrations that accompany the simple text in this celebration of family, friends, and the holiday that brings them all together.