Thanksgiving Books and Children's Literature Recommendations from The Holiday Zone

Recommended Books for Thanksgiving

History of Thanksgiving

The First Thanksgiving (ages 4-8)
(also available in hardcover)
Written by by Linda Hayward; Illustrated by James Watling
This book uses the simplest text to tell the story of the first Thanksgiving, from the time the Mayflower set sail, until they gave thanks alongside the Indians who helped save their lives.

The Pilgrims' First Thanksgiving (ages 4-8)
(also available in hardcover) Written by Ann McGovern; Illustrated by Elroy Freem
Children's history writer Ann McGovern recaptures that first Thanksgiving, where the Pilgrims and Indians spent three days together giving thanks. She also introduces the struggles the Pilgrims faced during their first year, as well as the events leading up to the holiday we know today.

Squanto and the First Thanksgiving (ages 4-8)
(also available in hardcover)
Written by Joyce K. Kessel; Illustrated by Lisa Donze
This book tells the story of Squanto, sharing how his experiences as a slave in England equipped him to help the Pilgrims survive the first winter.

Thanksgiving Day (ages 4-8)
(also available in hardback)
Written by Gail Gibbons
This colorful children's book explores the origins of Thanksgiving and the traditions that have developed over the years. It ends with a look at the way we celebrate Thanksgiving today.

Turkeys, Pilgrims and Indian Corn: The Story of the Thanksgiving Symbols (ages 4-8)
(also available in hardcover) Written by Edna Barth; Illustrated by Ursula Arndt
This book tells the story behind the symbols and legends that have sprung up around America's first holiday. It also exposes common myths that have come to be accepted as fact over the years.

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The Holiday Today

Let's Celebrate Thanksgiving (ages 4-8)
(also available in hardcover)
Written by Peter and Connie Roop; Illustrated by Gwen Connelly
This short book tells how Pilgrims traveled to the new world and what the first Thanksgiving was like, then explores contemporary celebrations of the holiday. It includes seasonal jokes and riddles, as well as a Thanksgiving craft.

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Thanksgiving Crafts

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Thanksgiving Poetry

It's Thanksgiving (ages 4-12)
(also available in hardcover)
Written by Jack Prelutsky; Illustrated by Marylin Hafner
Jack's Prelutsky's unique children's verse takes a decidedly seasonal twist in this collection of 12 Thanksgiving poems. Topics range from eating to much to the after-dinner football game.

Thanksgiving Day at Our House: Thanksgiving Poems for the Very Young (ages 3-8)
by Nancy White Carlstrom; Illustrated by R. W. Alley
Carlstom's poems describe the events leading up to Thanksgiving and the holiday itself in terms to which children can relate. Themes of prayers and giving thanks are repeated throughout the book.

Thanksgiving: Stories and Poems (ages 6-12)
Written by Caroline Feller Bauer; Illustrated by Nadine Bernard Westcott
This single volume offers songs, poems, and stories ideal for school or home. Older children will enjoy reading it on their own, while younger children will enjoy having selections read to them.

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Thanksgiving Recipes

My Very Own Thanksgiving: A Book of Cooking and Crafts (ages 4-8)
Written by Robin West
Illustrated by full-color photographs, this book is a child-friendly collection of recipes and crafts, accompanied by facts about the holiday.

The Thanksgiving Cookbook (12 and up)
Compiled by Holly Garrison
This isn't a children book, but the entire family will enjoy the tasteful collection of festive recipes. Garrison includes all the old favorites and adds several new tastes.

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Thanksgiving Stories

An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving (ages 8 and up)
(also available in hardcover)
Written by Louisa May Alcott
When the Bassetts are called away on an emergency, their seven children are left alone to prepare Thanksgiving dinner. With the two eldest in charge, they serve up a Thanksgiving dinner like never before. Story is set in rural New Hampshire in the 1800s.

A Turkey for Thanksgiving (ages 4-8)
(also available in hardcover; also available with audio cassette)
Written by Eve Bunting; Illustrated by Diane de Groat
As Mr. and Mrs. Moose prepare for a Thanksgiving feast with all their friends, Mrs. Moose decides that all would be perfect, if only they had a Thanksgiving turkey. But the feathered creature Mr. Moose finds is understandably reluctant to join in the festivities, until he understands that the Moose family wants him to join them at the table, not on it.

Cranberry Thanksgiving (ages 4-8)
(also available in hardcover; also available with audio cassette)
Written and illustrated by Wende and Harry Delvin
Grandmother and Maggie each always invite a guest to Thanksgiving dinner. Grandmother isn't very happy when Maggie invites Mr. Whiskers, but she's even more upset when someone steals her secret recipe for cranberry bread. Is the unwelcome guest the culprit? The only thing better than the story is the simple, yet delicious recipe at the end of the book.

Clifford's Thanksgiving Visit (ages 3-8)
(also available in hardcover)
Written and illustrated by Norman Bridwell
America's favorite dog celebrates the nation's first holiday as only he can. Follow along as Clifford and Emily Elizabeth discover just how much they have to be thankful for.

How Many Days to America?: A Thanksgiving Story (ages 4-8)
(also available in hardcover)
Written by Eve Bunting; Illustrated by Beth Peck
Politics force a Carribean family to flee to America for safety. After weeks at sea, their fishing boat lands safely on U.S. shores. Only then do the illegal refugees discover that they've reached freedom on Thanksgiving Day.

Molly's Pilgrim (ages 6-10)
(also available in hardback)
Written by Barbara Cohen; Illustrated by Daniel M. Duffy
A recent immigrate to the United States, young Molly is embarrassed when her mother makes a pilgrim doll to help her with a school project, but dresses it in Russian clothes. Soon, however, Molly learns that Thanksgiving is a special day for pilgrims from all backgrounds.

Silly Tilly's Thanksgiving Dinner (ages 4-8)
(also available in hardcover)
Written by Lillian Hoban
Silly Tilly Mole can't see through her glasses and accidentally mails out recipe cards instead of invitations when she asks her friends to Thanksgiving Dinner. On the day of the big dinner, however, she falls asleep when she should be cooking. Her earlier mistake proves a blessing, when her friends walk through the door, their Thanksgiving feast in hand.

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Thanksgiving in the Classroom

Big Activities for Little Hands: Fall
Compiled by Veronica Terrill
Forty-eight pages of reproducible patterns designed with bold outlines and easy-to-cut shapes and guaranteed to bring artistic success to children who are just beginning to develop scissor skills. Children create seasonal room decorations and take-home projects as they practice coloring, cutting, and pasting skills.

Everything for Fall: A Complete Activity Book for Teachers of Young Children
Edited by Kathy Charner
Gryphon House creates yet another must-have for the early childhood teacher with this collection of activities for September, October, and November. Its 288 pages are divided into months, with themes of back to school, family, and apples. Themes are further divided by curriculum area, with dozens of activities appropriate for 3-7 years olds supplied for each one.

Thanksgiving: A Thematic Unit
Written by Ireta S. Graube
This resource for primary educators uses real literature as a base for learning across the curriculum. It includes ready-to-use lessons, reproducible worksheets, and cross-curricular activities based on the following children's books: A Turkey for Thanksgiving, Silly Tilly's Thanksgiving Dinner, and Thanksgiving at the Tappletons'. Also included are management ideas, creative suggestions for the classroom, and a bibliography.

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