It's that time of year again! Time to focus our attention on gratitude, sharing, and understanding of the history and traditions of people from all over the world who came to settle in America, and the people that were already here. As teachers, we want to make sure our children are learning positive messages about inclusion, diversity, and gratitude. There are so many inspiring picture books that talk about family traditions, indigenous people, and cultural recipes associated with this delicious holiday.
So gather together, grab a few of these 40 books suggestions, and enjoy this celebration of family, food, and thankfulness!
1. Better Together!
This adorable autumn-inspired story tells the tale of two families, the McMunks and Squirrellys that wind up hiding in the same tree to escape a big storm. It teaches kids the joy of sharing, being open, and welcoming others.
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2. Thank You, Mama
This cute story is based on the sweet viral videos a mom posted of her son being grateful for healthy food. It illustrates the importance of teaching children about gratitude, trying new foods, and sharing.
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3. The Circle of Thanks
This is an older read-aloud book with poems and songs inspired by traditional Native American folklore. Each short story has a message of gratitude for nature, family, and the holiday season.
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4. The Sharing Circle
This beautiful book shares the secrets of Native American sharing circles, and how they provide a safe space for every person to be heard and appreciated when there is conflict.
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5. Gratitude is My Superpower
This adventure story begins the important conversation about gratitude with your kiddos. Little Betsy finds a magical stone that helps her see all the things to be grateful for in her life. One day she loses the stone, but comes to realize that her superpower of appreciation has been inside of her the whole time!
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6. Balloons Over Broadway
This is a true story of the puppeteer responsible for the Macy's Parade floats! Tony Sarg was an immigrant who invented the first gigantic helium balloons we now know and love as staples of the Macy's Parade.
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7. Peyton Picks the Perfect Pie: A Thanksgiving Celebration
Peyton is one of our kid's favorite characters for Thanksgiving! She likes to try new things, but she has some rules regarding her food for dinner. Many children can relate to Peyton's eating preferences and will love this Thanksgiving take on being adventurous in the kitchen and trying scary-looking, but delicious food!
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8. Turkey Trouble
This hilarious 6-part series of Thanksgiving books about food by Wendi Silvano features Turkey, and his numerous attempts to survive this horrifying holiday. Follow along with what he thinks is the perfect disguise and see if he makes it until next year!
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9. Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story
This award-winning collection of poems reminds all of us of the power of food in culture, family gatherings, and celebrating holiday traditions. Fry bread is an important staple food for many native people, and it also has an important role in bringing people together to express gratitude and friendship.
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10. Thank You, Omu!
The power of love and sharing is the main lesson told in this excellent story. Omu is cooking up something AMAZING, and everyone in town wants to try it. Her stew is so delicious that the whole neighborhood shows up and by the end of the day there is no soup left for Omu, but she is happy nonetheless.
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11. Bear Says Thanks
Come one, come all to a feast celebrating Bear's animal friends! Bear wants to say thank you to each of his friends, so he invites them over for dinner, but he doesn't have any food. Luckily, each of his friends brings something to share.
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12. We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga
Traci Sorell shares a powerful message and insights in her award-winning book about the Cherokee tribe of Native Americans. Her colorful book takes kids on a journey through a year in Cherokee traditions, holidays, and ceremonial gatherings.
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13. I Am Thankful!
This compilation of three comforting stories about family, appreciation, and love is perfect to read together during this Thanksgiving holiday. The rhyming stories are great for your read-aloud book list at home or in the classroom.
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14. How to Catch a Turkey
Can you help these kids catch a turkey on the loose at their school before Thanksgiving? This best-selling interactive book encourages readers to use STEM concepts to figure out how to trap this quick bird!
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15. I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie
Alison Jackson brings us this delightfully ridiculous tale of the old lady that ate the whole Thanksgiving dinner! With rhyming verses and outrageous illustrations, your little kiddos will be laughing the whole book through, until the shocking ending.
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16. One Is a Feast for Mouse: A Thanksgiving Tale
How much can one little mouse eat? Judy Cox gives us this picture book lesson on taking only what you need and not letting your stomach run the show! From one pea to the entire feast, can mouse make it back to his hole with it all, or will he make a huge mess of things?
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17. My Heart Fills With Happiness
What makes you happy? Is it the feel of a warm hug, or the sun shining through the trees? This stunning picture board book shares the concept of gratitude in a way we can all relate to.
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18. Rivka's First Thanksgiving
This heart-warming story shares the journey of one Jewish immigrant family and how they come to America and learn about Thanksgiving. Rivka is excited to discover more about her new home, and celebrating this national holiday is a great way to start!
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19. Llama Llama Gives Thanks
A board book perfect for little readers to get excited about Thanksgiving! It's one of llama llama's favorite holidays and he likes to celebrate with falling leaves, yummy food, and giving thanks!
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20. May We Have Enough to Share
This family-centered picture book is a great read-aloud for school or at home with your little ones. It is an homage to all the little and big things we can be grateful for all year round!
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21. Pete the Cat: The First Thanksgiving
Learn about the first thanksgiving with this silly picture book by James Dean starring everyone's favorite storybook cat Pete!
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22. Thanksgiving in the Woods
A true account of a family that spends every Thanksgiving in the woods eating and enjoying the beauty of nature together.
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23. The Very First Americans
Help your little ones learn about the people that lived in America before Thanksgiving even existed! There were many different tribes and they all had their own traditions, foods, and customs we can read about to better understand America's history.
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24. Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message
Chief Jake Swamp gives young readers a glimpse into Native American culture through this easy-to-follow book about gratitude. He provides a thank you message Native Americans traditionally used to show their appreciation for the land and their communities.
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25. 1621: A New Look at Thanksgiving
What do we really know about the history of Thanksgiving? This accurate, but uncomplicated kid's version provides amazing photographs to go along with facts and stories about this historical day.
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26. Native American Stories for Kids: 12 Traditional Stories from Indigenous Tribes Across North America
Just released! A fun and informative collection of 12 stories about different Native American tribes, their customs, beliefs, and tales that will spark excitement regarding different cultures for your kids this time of year.
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27. Tom The Turkey
A story of suspense and excitement to get your little readers laughing and ready for Thanksgiving! Tom gets a bit stressed during this holiday season and I think we know why. Follow along as he tries to outrun his fate this year!
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28. Dino-Thanksgiving
All the activities and fun of Thanksgiving, only this town is full of dinosaurs! Read and enjoy the exciting stories and colorful illustrations of dinos celebrating this special day with their families.
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29. Thanks a Million
Get ready for story time with this beautifully compiled book about feeling grateful and appreciating all the things in your life. Read aloud each poem or riddle and discuss it as a family to get into the Thanksgiving spirit!
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30. My Food, Your Food, Our Food
A lesson on appreciating the ways we are different and finding the ways we are the same. This picture book is a celebration of all the foods and traditions people partake in when they eat together on the holidays.
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31. Spookley the Square Pumpkin, A Family To Be Thankful For
Spookley is the only square pumpkin in the holiday patch. He wonders why is he unique and if he will ever fit it, until one day he learns an important lesson. We may all be different, but when we come together we create a beautiful and diverse garden! Pair it with delightful activities found here.
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32. Our Table
In a world where families spend less quality time together, this bestselling picture book reminds us of the joy of sharing a meal as a family. Violet is a mom on a mission to bring life and memories to their dining table again.
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33. Duck for Turkey Day
No matter what is on our Thanksgiving table, we are all celebrating the same thing. Sharing, being together with the ones you love, and being grateful! So read along and learn about all the different things people eat for Thanksgiving.
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34. Gracias The Thanksgiving Turkey
Miguel's dad wants a nice, big turkey for Thanksgiving, so he buys one early so it can get nice and fat before the big day! The problem is, Miguel likes the turkey, they are friends, and he doesn't want to eat his friend. Can he convince his father to find something else to cook for the holiday meal?
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35. Hungry Johnny
Every family has someone who LOVES to eat! Little Johnny wants to dive into all the delicious food his grandma made for the celebration, but he must learn an important lesson of patience and wait for his turn at the table.
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36. Over the River and Through the Woods: A Holiday Adventure
A story sharing what it really means to celebrate Thanksgiving, being with those you love. For this big extended family, it can be a bit of a challenge making it over the river and through the woods to grandparents' house! Each family has some trouble along the way, but they all end up where they are supposed to be, together!
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37. Sharing the Bread: An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving Story
Follow the rhyming verse along as it tells an old-fashioned family tale of preparing a Thanksgiving meal together. Everyone has something to do, which makes the finished product something they can all be proud to share!
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38. The Grumbles: A Story About Gratitude
What does it mean to be thankful? Learn along with the Grumble family, as Grandma Grateful comes to town and teaches the family how to appreciate all the small things that make life beautiful.
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39. Around the Table That Grandad Built
Come together and share blessings with family with this warm story filled with personal touches. From the dishes to the napkins, the pies to the veggies, each piece of this special meal has a bit of love and family inside.
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40. Thankful
What are you thankful for? This adorable picture book follows a young girl along as she makes a gratitude paper chain of all the things she appreciates in her life.
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