The 10 best Thanksgiving books for preschool according to this veteran teacher! Literacy is one of the cornerstones of any good preschool program. These books have possibilities far beyond circle time or story time. I hope you add some or all of these books to your library! They are my classroom favorites and I know they will be yours too!
The Night Before Thanksgiving
The Night Before Thanksgiving by Natasha Wing is a take on the Christmas story by the same name. I like this one because it follows one family as they prepare for the big feast. Each family member plays a part. It is relatable and the pictures are sweet.
Sophie’s Squash
Sophie’s Squash by Pat Zietlow & Anne Wilsdorf isn’t exactly a Thanksgiving tale, but it is a tale about Fall, friendship and learning to let go. It has wonderful pictures and is sometimes silly, a little sad, funny and tells a story of love and friendship that everyone can enjoy. Sophie’s squash spans a year of seasons and would work well for many units of study in preschool.
Bear Says Thanks
Bear Says Thanks by Jane Chapman and Karma Wilson is one of the best in the ‘Bear’ series. Bear and his friends discover why they are grateful for each other and their special friendship. This is a heartwarming story that you and your kiddos will love!
The Great Thanksgiving Escape
The Great Thanksgiving Escape by Mark Fearing is a new-ish favorite of mine. I discovered this book a few years ago and I fell in love with the main characters. Gavin and Rhonda are put with the babies at the family Thanksgiving dinner at Grandma’s. Gavin and Rhonda want nothing more than to escape to the backyard without getting their cheeks pinched by the aunties, their brains zapped by the teenage zombies, and successfully passing the ‘wall of butts’ watching the football game. It reminds me of my own childhood and I’m sure a lot of your kiddos can relate!
Thankful
Thankful by Eileen Spinelli is a sweet book about gratitude to start the season. I always begin my Thanksgiving unit with this book. I like to set the tone of gratitude as we learn about this special holiday, and this book does it right! It is age-appropriate, sweet, and has really cute illustrations. This one is destined to become a classic.
Turkey Trouble
Turkey Trouble by Lee Harper is one of my favorites of the season. The kids love how silly turkey thinks he will outsmart the farmer with his ridiculous disguises! I get full belly laughs when I read this one! The illustrations make the story come alive and add to the silly fun! Find out if Turkey really does outwit the farmer and exactly what brilliant idea he comes up with in the end!
This is the Turkey
This is the Turkey by Abby Levine starts out as a sweet run of the mill family thanksgiving story, but ends with a twist. The turkey is the centerpiece of the Thanksgiving meal, but is it really what Thanksgiving is all about? Find out what happens when things don’t go quite as planned.
Run, Turkey, Run!
Run, Turkey, Run! by Diane Mayr is a great read-aloud that the kids can join in too! Each year when I read this book I just love how enthusiastic my classes become when it is time to say “Run, Turkey, run!” They love it so much, it is one they always ask for ‘again, again!’ as soon as I am done reading! The end leads into the next holiday, so it is special to this time of year.
Who Will Carve the Turkey This Thanksgiving?
Who Will Carve the Turkey this Thanksgiving? by Jerry Pallotta is just amazing! This book may not be in print any longer…and that makes me so sad! This book is more than just a story. Kids LOVE this book for so many reasons. The premise is so silly and fun, it lends itself to so many circle time discussions, and it is sweet at its core. Each page has a hidden crab, which makes diving into the illustrations (which are wonderful) just that much easier! There are so many fun literacy activities you can do with this book as well. If you find this one… buy it! You won’t regret it!
Over the River and Through the Woods
Over the River and Through the Woods illustrated by Emma Randall is a beautifully illustrated version of the Thanksgiving song by the same name. The illustrations are sweet and detailed. It is a story of family and coming together. The bringing together of generations to share a day of family and gratitude. My fellow teacher Randi Green introduced me to this book last year and I can’t say enough about it. It is just so sweet and lovely.
I hope you will love these books as much as I have. They all make fantastic read-alouds, and they get the kids (and you) ready for this special holiday!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
