Written By: Nancy J. Scarmeas

Illustrated by: Stacy Venturi-Pickett

I love the simplicity of this board book and the depth of its topic. It’s a board book and perfect for little hands, but it packs a major punch with the amount of information it gives little ones just learning about Thanksgiving. For an older child, it makes a great quick refresher on Thanksgiving in an easy to read format.

This First Thanksgiving Day

Written By: Laura Krauss-Melmed

Illustrated By: Mark Buehner

I don’t always love counting books, but something about this one has been a favorite of our family for years. It’s a counting book from 1-10 about the first Thanksgiving. Watch and count along, as the Pilgrims and Wampanoags prepare for the great feast. Search for the bold turkey on every page and other hidden surprises in the illustrations.

Thanks For Thanksgiving

Written By: Julie Markes

Illustrated By: Doris Barette

I adore this book as a way to teach children gratitude for the every day things. We know this time of year is a chance for us to remember the things we are thankful for and say thanks for them, however, it can be hard to know where to start. This gives kids a starting point for being thankful, from warm cozy cuddles and school to play dates and rain boots. It’s the little everyday things that we have and take for granted that we should show thanks for. This book will help start the thankful wheels turning and guiding thankful hearts.

In November

Written By: Cynthia Rylant

Illustrated By: Jill Kastner

This beautifully illustrated book focuses on how the earth and all of its inhabitants prepare for winter. As animals gather food and seek shelter, trees lose their leaves and stand still. While people gather together with family and friends to give thanks, the earth is growing quiet and preparing itself for winter. The text is poetic and invites all of your senses in to experience and be reminded of the signs of November.

Thankful

Written By: Eileen Spinelli

Illustrated By: Archie Preston

This is a book to remind us to be thankful for the simple things. It’s thankful message is one of being grateful for the little things–a waitress is thankful for comfortable shoes and a reporter is thankful for interesting news. The simple rhyming text paired with simple illustrations make it a calming and reflective book. It will encourage conversations on gratitude in an easy organic manner.

Thanksgiving Is Here

By: Diane Goode

This book will quickly invoke childhood memories of large extended family gatherings. Maggie watches as Grandma and Grandpa begin preparations for the Thanksgiving feast. Soon, the doorbell begins to ring as family arrive ready to spend a day together. With each ring of the doorbell more family arrives and the house begins to bubble with happy excitement. The artwork brings the simple text to life, with so much activity you almost feel the busy commotion of the day bursting off the pages.

Bear Says Thanks

Written By: Karma Wilson

Illustrated By: James Chapman

Bear wants to have a party, to say Thanks to all of his friends, but as he searches his cupboards he finds they are bare. One by one his forest friends show up with food to share. But still bear wishes he had something to offer them too. His friends kindly tell him how much he is loved and needed, even if he feels empty handed he brings so much to their lives.

One Big Turkey

By: Anne Vittur Kennedy

Another great board book for little hands learning about their many blessings. Children will count along with big turkey, squirrel, and their forest friends all the reasons they have to be grateful. It’s simple and sweet rhyming text get children counting everything they have to be thankful for, including food, friends, and full bellies! A perfect introduction to gratitude.

Duck and Hippo: Give Thanks

Written By: Jonathan London

Illustrated By: Andrew Joyner

It’s the day before Thanksgiving, and Hippo has his heart set on having a good, old-fashioned feast with Duck and their friends. Together Duck and Hippo make all the necessary plans for the big feast. And as Hippo goes to bed dreaming of the Thanksgiving feast happening the next day, Duck is busy preparing a surprise addition!

Where is Baby’s Turkey?

By: Karen Katz

It is Thanksgiving and baby is looking for his cuddly turkey. As baby searches for his cuddly turkey he finds some.of the traditional elements that make up Thanksgiving–family, special food, and of course his stuffed turkey. The lift the flaps make this a fun read of revealing things that baby is thankful for.

Llama Llama Gives Thanks

By: Anna Dewdney

This book is simple and features only a line or two per page and it’s sweet comforting illustrations make this such a warm favorite. Llama gives thanks for those he loves and shows us what is on his Thanksgiving table, reminding us that giving thanks is NOT just for one day a year.

Five Silly Turkeys

By: Salina Yoon

Simple rhyming text, fun shiny feathers, and adorable illustrations make reading this over and over and OVER easy and fun for everyone. “Five silly turkey’s dancing on the floor, one twirls away and then there were…four! Four silly turkeys…” This is a great book size for being carried around in a bag or carted around in your little ones hands.