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Thanksgiving Books for Kids of All Ages

thanksgiving books for kidsThere are ton of terrific books out there dealing with all aspects of the Thanksgiving holiday. Whether it's about being thankful, turkeys, Pilgrims, Native Americans, or just gathering as a family, there's a book out there to help you and your children celebrate and learn more about this uniquely American holiday.

Here are some of our picks for great kids' books about Thanksgiving. The book links below take you to the online children's catalog of the Marin County Free Library.

Baby/Toddler

  • My First Thanksgiving (Tomie dePaola) This short, simple, and colorful book by the beloved author and illustrator Tomie dePaola is a fantastic introduction to Thanksgiving for babies, toddlers, and even preschoolers.
  • Five Silly Turkeys (Salina Yoon) This funny Thanksgiving-themed counting book features turkeys doing various silly things. Durable board book features shiny crinkly turkey "tail feathers" for added tactility.
  • 1, 2, 3 Thanksgiving (W. Nikola-Lisa and Robin Kramer) Follow the Thanksgiving feast through counting, starting with Papa's one fat turkey.

Preschool–First Grade

  • Pete the Cat: The First Thanksgiving (Kimberly and James Dean) Popular character Pete the Cat makes learning about the first Thanksgiving fun in this lift-the-flap book that reveals hidden surprises.
  • 'Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving (Dav Pilkey) This parody of Clement Moore's famous poem 'Twas the Night Before Christmas follows a group of children as they attempt to save turkeys from becoming Thanksgiving dinner.
  • The Story of the Pilgrims (Katharine Ross and Carolyn Croll) A nice simplified treatment of the history behind the Pilgrims and the origins of Thanksgiving, ideal for younger children.

Second Grade and Up

  • 1621: A New Look at Thanksgiving (Catherine O'Neill Grace) Illustrated with photographs of a reenactment of the first Thanksgiving at the Plimoth Plantation living-history museum, this book examines the facts behind the first Thanksgiving feast and helps separate myths about the holiday from historical fact.
  • Squanto's Journey: The Story of the First Thanksgiving (Joseph Bruchac and Greg Shed) This beautifully illustrated, historically accurate account of the story of Squanto, the Patuxet Indian who befriended the Pilgrims and helped them survive the harsh New England winter, depicts the first Thanksgiving from a Native American point of view.
  • If You Were at the First Thanksgiving (Anne Kamma and Bert Dodson) This holiday offering from the popular book series offers a glimpse at the first Thanksgiving and life in 17th-century America from a child's perspective.