If you’re looking for thanksgiving books for preschoolers and kindergarteners, you’ll love our kid-approved list!
You are reading: Thanksgiving books for kindergarten
Sometimes I think our librarians try not to look me in the eye when I walk through the door. Either that, or they roll their eyes behind their desks.
It’s just that I usually look a bit silly. and quite uncomfortable.
Because I’m whispering fiercely that children need to be quiet and walk, not run, or because I’m carrying an overflowing box out the door (with six children in tow).
but I don’t care. one of my greatest joys is putting together early childhood themed book lists. These days I am reading to our fourth (almost 5 years) and our fifth (almost 3 years). They’ve helped me find the best of the best thanksgiving books for preschool and kindergarten!
thanksgiving books for preschoolers & kindergartners
Run Turkey Run! by Diane Mayr
As Thanksgiving dinner approaches, the turkey’s only goal is to elude the farmer. it hides all over the barnyard, but the farmer always finds it! young listeners will love to join in on the repetitive refrain, “run, turkey, run!” And everyone will enjoy the satisfying ending: when the turkey finally finds a good hiding place… and the farmer’s family eats grilled cheese sandwiches for thanksgiving.
it was the night before thanksgiving, by dav pilkey
This book was one of our favorites. Written by the author of the charming dragon books, it’s a sweet story about children who fall in love with the turkeys they meet on their field trip to the farm. we love the fun way kids rescue turkeys from their thanksgiving destination.
fancy nancy: our thanksgiving feast, based on the creation of jane o’connor
I’m usually not a fan of book series that are no longer written by the original author, but fancy nancy always delights me. In this book, Nancy is disappointed to be sitting at the children’s table for Thanksgiving dinner. after moving on to the fancy adult table, she realizes that the children’s table isn’t such a bad place after all. this is nothing spectacular, but it is a nice and cozy book.
thanksgiving is… by gail gibbons
i have second thoughts when it comes to gail gibbons books. On the one hand, he is a genius. He has written and illustrated countless nonfiction books for children, on just about every subject you can think of.
On the other hand, I find that his books are often voiceless and too information-dense, especially for the young audience they are written for. I was pleasantly surprised that my four listened to this entire book, from the history of Thanksgiving in other cultures to how we celebrate it in America. this is one of the shorter gibbons books.
breaking bread, by pat zietlow miller
We love this light-hearted, rhyming book about putting Thanksgiving dinner on the table in the old days. the rhyme will keep kids engaged and the beautiful illustrations will give them a quick history lesson.
a chubby and happy turkey, by teresa bateman
this is a silly rhyming book about a town that wants a turkey for thanksgiving dinner… but can’t find a single turkey to put on the plate. (everyone has blown up the chicken coop!) what should the villagers do?
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the crafty townspeople host an art contest in which contestants will carve turkeys in different mediums. While advertising a turkey model, a plump and cheerful turkey comes to town. after the contest, the townspeople plan to eat the turkey and roast it for dinner. but he’s too smart for them… and they end up with shredded wheat instead.
the closet of memories, by charlotte herman
This book is cute and has a different tone than many on this list. It’s about a family getting together for Thanksgiving and a granddaughter who accidentally breaks a prized sauce bowl. but her dear grandmother is not upset. she instead shares a memory closet full of other broken treasures.
squanto and the first thanksgiving, by teresa celsi
The book is a little dated (1989), but it’s a fantastic read for young listeners who don’t have the patience for longer books. I love the simple history lesson and the beautiful illustrations. my four listened to this several times – willingly!
five silly turkeys, by salina yoon
This is a very simple board book with a sweet rhyming story, perfect for toddlers and preschoolers.
i know an old lady who swallowed a cake, by alison jackson
I’m a sucker for any account I know of an old lady who swallowed a fly. I guess I’m biased, because this was an old song that I used to love hearing my mom sing to me when I was a kid.
this book is an absolutely hilarious and completely absurd thanksgiving version of the old song. The old lady swallows an empanada, a little cider, a muffin, a pumpkin, a whole turkey… we read this countless times and we never get tired.
the story of the pilgrims, by katharine ross
My four is on high alert for “boring” books these days, and I often find that I’m left reading alone if the book doesn’t have an exciting start. I found a winner in this one! It was a lovely non-fiction book and a good antidote to Gibbons books. I appreciate it being told as a story rather than a list of facts.
The illustrations are engaging and there is enough detail to keep my four of them interested without boring them. my only complaint is that in the party section, there is no mention of giving thanks to god. We add that part. 😉
a thanksgiving turkey, for bunting
the poor turkey is terrified when mr. moose brings him home for thanksgiving dinner, but imagine his surprise when mrs. the moose pulls a chair! I highly recommend the modern bunting classic.
turkey problems, by wendi silvano
This is a hilariously illustrated book about a turkey pretending to be different farm animals so the farmer won’t roast it for thanksgiving. he finally succeeds when he disguises himself as a pizza delivery boy and the farmer’s family has pizza for thanksgiving.
duck day for the turkey, by jacqueline jules
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When her teacher tells the class to have a happy “turkey day,” Tuyet gets worried. is it okay to have duck on thanksgiving? As his family buys a duck and other side dishes at the Vietnamese market, Tuyet worries that she is different from all of his friends. she has a nice surprise when she goes back to school.
the ignorant talk about turkey, by michele sobel spirn
this is a funny book about the ignorant, four goofy friends who know nothing about thanksgiving. they’re on the hunt for a turkey to serve…but not in the way you’d think! Be sure to check out the other books in this fun series.
thanksgiving gift, by catherine stock
We loved this sweet book about a little boy who feels left out during Thanksgiving. No one needs his help, from Grandma, who wants him to stay away from the hot oven, to Dad, who warns him to stay away while he chops wood. finally, the boy helps his grandfather collect fallen chestnuts for a special thanksgiving gift. This book will strike a chord with preschoolers who are never old enough to do the things they want to do.
the first thanksgiving, by nancy davis
If you want a simple board book to teach the concept of thanksgiving in a few pages, this is it. I love the simple text, attractive images, and strong tabs. recommended!
give thanks to the lord, for karma wilson
I love the Christian perspective of this heartwarming book of rhymes. The book celebrates the joys God gives us in everyday life, but especially at Thanksgiving: visiting relatives, a cozy home, delicious smells, and a satisfying dinner.
This Little Turkey, by Aly Fronis
We loved this funny little version of the well-known “this little piggy” rhyme. Even though it’s a board book designed for young children, my four and I laughed every time we read it.
turk and runt, by lisa wheeler
We loved this story of two brothers, Turk and Runt. Turk is the biggest and strongest turkey, and the only one that his parents notice. Mom is convinced that he will be a professional dancer. Dad is sure that he will play professional soccer. but little brother knows the truth… the only recruiters on the farm are looking for a thanksgiving dinner!
thank you, sarah, by laurie halsen anderson
If you want a book that is brimming with voice, appeal, history, and beautiful artwork, then don’t pass this up! i am in love with this true story of a 19th century woman who fought to make thanksgiving an american holiday. highly recommended… for all ages!
longer thanksgiving books for older listeners – or more patient 😉
- the thanksgiving story, by alice dalgleish
- the first thanksgiving, by linda hayward
- the pilgrims first thanksgiving, by ann mcgovern
- if you were at the first thanksgiving, by anne kamma
check out our apples, leaves & pumpkin theme…
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