Babies and Preschoolers

Five Silly Turkeys by Salina Yoon

Gobble, gobble, gobble – this is a really fun book for babies and toddlers. It has counting, funny turkeys dancing, tanning or running from bees and plenty of shiny, soft pages. The rhymes are easy to read and remember, the turkeys' adventures are funny and the illustrations will keep little eyes glued to the pages.

My First Thanksgiving by Tomie dePaola

This is a simple little book that introduces the Pilgrims and their Native-American friends and the traditional family Thanksgiving celebration with bright, sweet illustrations to very young children. It is a basic and easy-read Thanksgiving booklet.

Clifford's Thanksgiving Visit by Norman Bridwell

Clifford, the Big Red Dog is a long-time favorite for many youngsters. He and Emily Elizabeth are up for big things for Thanksgiving: visiting family. Clifford sets out on an adventurous trip to the city to visit his Mother and Emily goes to celebrate Thanksgiving with her Grandmother. But Thanksgiving Day ends as it has to: with Emily and Clifford reunited, sharing the joy of being together and feeling grateful for having each other.

Kindergarteners and Young Elementary School Children

The Night Before Thanksgiving by Natasha Wing and Tammie Lyon

The title may sound familiar – yes, it is a spin-off and a good, pleasant one. The rhymes roll easily, energizing this thoroughly modern and neatly illustrated take on an average American family's Thanksgiving Day complete with relatives driving and flying in, Mom marching through the preparations of the holiday meal and kids 'helping out'. It is a fun read and really puts you in the family holiday spirit.

Thanksgiving Day by Anne Rockwell

Colorful and beautifully illustrated, this picture book for young children contains few words, but still has a story to tell. A class of young children put on a play based on a book that they read about the first Thanksgiving. The book references the historical context of the tradition with the Mayflower, the Pilgrim and the Indians, but in a way accessible to the youngest audiences. The children then recount all the things they are thankful for: 'little' ones such as playdates and toys and big gifts such as family.

Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving by Dav Pilkey

Yes, this is another sweet and good-hearted parody of the traditional The Night Before Christmas poem and a bit of the big Thanksgiving meal tradition, too. In it eight little boys and girls visit a turkey farm just before the big holiday and make friends with eight little turkeys, just to learn that the poor birds will be Thanksgiving dinner. Adventures unfold as the kids save the turkeys – and eight families end up celebrating Thanksgiving with a yummy, strictly vegetarian Thanksgiving feast with little turkeys as guests of honor.

Serious Readers (2nd grade and above)

Arthur's Thanksgiving by Marc Brown

We all love Arthur, his friends and family. Thanksgiving finds him together with his friends, rehearsing for a play that Arthur will direct. Every time Arthur and friends embark on a new adventure, there is bound to be some trouble. Who gets to be the Turkey? - is the big problem this time. As always, Arthur will not disappoint anyone.

Samuel Eaton's Day: A Day in the Life of a Pilgrim Boy by Kate Walter

These twin books introduce young readers to colonial life and the Pilgrims. They portray a day in the life of a young boy and a young girl: their activities from waking up to going to sleep. The books contain lots of illustration, photos and pictures from the Plymouth Plantation reenactment series that really help young kids feel like they are a part of an early colonial settlement.

Thanksgiving on Thursday by Mary Pope Osborne, Sal Murdocca

This Magic Tree House book is a captivating, but easy historic fiction for young readers. It takes two modern-day American children back to 1621 to help the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Indians celebrate the very first Thanksgiving. It is complete with lessons in early colonial life, lots of humor and fun and the final message that teaches them to be kind to those different and afraid.

For Fun and Sharing

Turkey Riddles by Katy Hall, Lisa Eisenberg and Kristin Sorra

Do your elementary school kids like silly little jokes and quirky riddles? The Turkey Riddles has 30 funny jokes and little puzzles about turkeys – perfect for a fun Thanksgiving comedy session. So what do you get if you cross a turkey with an octopus?

Thanksgiving Box of Questions by The Box Girls

This game is for the whole family for an enjoyable, yet educational Thanksgiving game. 82 Thanksgiving-themed questions printed on pumpkin pie shaped cards: the whole family can participate in sharing memories while having lots of fun together.