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    The Children's Book Review

    Ten Thanksgiving Books for Children

    TCBR ContributorBy TCBR Contributor6 Mins Read Ages 0-3 Ages 4-8 Ages 9-12 Book Lists Cultural Wisdom Seasonal: Holiday Books Teens: Young Adults
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    The Children’s Book Review
    Published: November 26, 2008

    Ten children’s books picked for Thanksgiving, baby to teen:

    My First ThanksgivingMy First Thanksgiving

    by Tomie dePaola

    Reading level: Baby-Preschool

    Board book: 14 pages

    Publisher: Grosset & Dunlap (August 14, 2008)

    Publisher’s synopsis: The traditional celebration is clearly and simply explained in My First Thanksgiving with spare text and Tomie dePaola’s bright illustrations. A 3-D effect brings the cover artwork to life!

    Add this book to your collection: My First Thanksgiving

    Thanksgiving is for Giving Thanks

    by Margaret Sutherland and Sonja Lamut

    Reading level: Baby-Preschool

    Paperback: 24 pages

    Publisher: Grosset & Dunlap (September 11, 2000)

    Synopsis: Sure, Thanksgiving is about pilgrims and history and turkey, of course! But most importantly, it’s a holiday all about everything that we are thankful for. Cheerful, colorful illustrations accompany the simple text in this celebration of family, friends, and the holiday that brings them all together.

    Add this book to your collection: Thanksgiving is for Giving Thanks

    Spot's Thanksgiving (Spot)Spot’s Thanksgiving

    by Eric Hill

    Reading level: Baby-Preschool

    Board book: 10 pages

    Publisher: Putnam Juvenile (August 25, 2003)

    Publisher’s synopsis: Spot wants to make the Thanksgiving pie, so Dad gives him his best pumpkin from the garden; Mom helps him make it; Grandma and Grandpa arrive with a pilgrim hat for Spot. A Spot family Thanksgiving is just right for toddlers in a new Spot look – wonderful color backgrounds on every page.

    Add this book to your collection: Spot’s Thanksgiving

    P Is for Pilgrim: A Thanksgiving Alphabet (Sleeping Bear Alphabets)P is for Pilgrim: A Thanksgiving Alphabet

    by Carol Crane

    Reading level: Ages 4-8

    Paperback: 40 pages

    Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press (September 2007)

    Publisher’s Synopsis:

    “Across the Atlantic Ocean,
    a lone ship on a vast sea.
    Ablaze with new hope,
    all praying to be free.”

    From the lives of our early settlers, who established the foundations for American freedoms and ideals, to today’s celebrations, P is for Pilgrim colorfully examines the history and lore of Thanksgiving. Educators will find the inclusion of the Core Democratic Values of valuable use for the classroom while kids of all ages will enjoy the bright, engaging illustrations and fascinating sidebar text.

    “Zippy bands zigzagging down the street,
    zebras trotting, zeppelin-like balloons afloat.
    Flags flying, banners waving,
    a Thanksgiving Day Parade playing a happy note.”

    Add this book to your collection: P is for Pilgrim: A Thanksgiving Alphabet

     

    This First Thanksgiving Day: A Counting BookThe First Thanksgiving Day: A Counting Book

    by Laura Krauss Melmed (Author), Mark Buehner (Illustrator)

    Reading level: Ages 4-8

    Paperback: 32 pages

    Publisher: HarperTrophy (September 2, 2003)

    Publisher’s synopsis: This rollicking counting story celebrates the very first Thanksgiving Day with vibrant illustrations and lively verse. Follow the Pilgrim and Wampanoag friends as they prepare for a great feast, and along the way look for the bold turkey on every page — and for the very sharp of eye, there are all sorts of surprises hidden in the art!

    Add this book to your collection: The First Thanksgiving Day: A Counting Book

    I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie

    by Alison Jackson (Author), Judy Schachner (Illustrator)

    Reading level: Ages 4-8

    Paperback: 32 pages

    Publisher: Puffin (September 16, 2002)

    Publisher’s synopsis: I know an old lady who swallowed a pie, a Thanksgiving pie, which was really too dry.

    And with that the feast begins! After the pie the old lady swallows a whole squash, all of the salad, and the entire turkey! As Mother and Father watch in shock, the two children are delighted to see the old lady growing fatter and fatter. And, in the end, the old lady makes a surprising and humorous contribution to the holiday festivities.

    Add this book to your collection: I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie

    10 Fat Turkeys10 Fat Turkeys

    by Tony Johnston (Author), Richard F. Deas (Illustrator)

    Reading level: Ages 4-8

    Paperback: 32 pages

    Publisher: Cartwheel (October 1, 2004)

    Publisher’s synopsis: “Looky!” says a silly turkey swinging from a vine. Gobble gobble wibble wobble.Whoops! Now there are nine.

    Girls and boys will gobble up this hilarious story about ten goofy turkeys and their silly antics: swinging from a vine, strutting on a boar, doing a noodle dance, and more. Veteran author Tony Johnston has written a joyful text, which first-time illustrator Richard Deas brings to life as wild and wacky fun!

    Add this book to your collection: 10 Fat Turkeys

    The Perfect ThanksgivingThe Perfect Thanksgiving

    by Eileen Spinelli (Author), JoAnn Adinolfi (Illustrator)

    Reading level: Ages 4-8

    Paperback: 32 pages

    Publisher: Square Fish (October 2, 2007)

    Publisher’s synopsis: Enter two families who couldn’t be more opposite. Family one seems just perfect—with a plump golden turkey, gorgeous whipped cream swirls atop their pie, and lace napkins on the table. Family two, on the other hand, seems far from it! The turkey burns, the Jell-O wiggles and jiggles right to the floor, and Dad’s shirt serves as napkin. What could these two very different families possibly have in common? Full of whimsy, good spirit, and certainly familial love, this laugh-aloud picture book is sure to add spice to any Thanksgiving feast.

    Add this book to your collection: The Perfect Thanksgiving

    Over the River: A Turkey's TaleOver the River: A Turkey’s Tale

    by Public Domain (Author), Derek Anderson (Illustrator)

    Reading level: Ages 4-8

    Hardcover: 40 pages

    Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing (September 27, 2005)

    Publisher’s synopsis: Over the river Mama, Papa, and Baby Turkey embark for their vegetarian Thanksgiving Feast. But when a hungry boy and his dog start sniffing around, the turkeys have got to think fast before they become the main course!

    Acclaimed artist Derek Anderson’s glorious autumn artwork adds heaps of holiday humor to Lydia Maria Child’s classic Thanksgiving song. And readers of all ages will be wondering who gobbles up whom until the dessert finale.

    Add this book to your collection: Over the River: A Turkey’s Tale

    The Mayflower & the Pilgrims' New WorldThe Mayflower & the Pilgrims’ New World

    by Nathaniel Philbrick

    Reading level: Ages 9-14

    Hardcover: 352 pages

    Publisher: Putnam Juvenile (September 4, 2008)

    Publisher’s synopsis: In stunning prose, Nathaniel Philbrick evokes the drama of the voyage of the Mayflower and the eerie emptiness of coastal Massachusetts that greeted the Pilgrims. He tells how the settlers were able to gain the friendship of many powerful Native American leaders, including the charismatic Massasoit, and how they worked together to maintain peace. But the promise of the First Thanksgiving was broken with the next generation of leaders. Fifty-six years after the Mayflower’s landing, a horrifying conflict, known today as King Philip’s war, nearly wiped out the colonists and Natives alike, and forever altered the new country.

    The Mayflower and the Pilgrims’ New World is the perfect introduction for young readers to this epic story, at once tragic and heroic. Adapted specially for middle-grade readers, this book features a wealth of supplemental materials such as new maps and photographs, a time line, and a list of characters for added comprehension and accessibility.

    Add this book to your collection: The Mayflower & the Pilgrims’ New World

    What to Read Next:

    1. Celebrate a Meaningful Thanksgiving with These 5 Kids’ Books
    2. Kids Winter Books: Snow, Mittens, Polar Bears and Other Arctic Animals
    3. Random House Children’s Books’ Holiday Gift-Giving Guide! Lasting, memorable gifts for every age
    4. 20 of the Best Kids Christmas Books

    *Disclosure: Please note that this post may contain affiliate links that share some commission. Rest assured that these will not affect the cost of any products and services promoted here. Our team always provides their authentic opinion in all content published on this site.

    Carol Crane Derek Anderson Eileen Spinelli Eric Hill Joann Adinolfi Judy Schachner Laura Krauss Melmed Margaret Sutherland Mark Buehner Nathaniel Philbrick Public Domain Richard F. Deas. Alison Jackson Sonja Lamut Thanksgiving Tomie dePaola Tony Johnston
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    The Children’s Book Review, named one of the ALSC (Association for Library Service to Children) Great Web Sites for Kids, is a resource devoted to children’s literacy. We publish reviews and book lists of the best books for kids of all ages. We also produce author and illustrator interviews and share literacy based articles that help parents, grandparents, teachers and librarians to grow readers. This article was written and provided by one of TCBR's regular contributors.

    5 Comments

    1. Jill on November 2, 2009 11:55 am

      Thanks Bianca! You pick some of the Greatest Books! I always look forward to stopping by 🙂

      Reply
    2. The Children's Book Review Bianca Schulze on November 3, 2009 8:39 pm

      Please stop by anytime! You are always welcome.

      Reply
    3. Katy on November 17, 2009 8:08 am

      Great list!! We are also enjoying The Littlest Pilgrim by Brandi Dougherty this season.

      Reply
    4. The Children's Book Review Bianca Schulze on November 17, 2009 11:21 am

      Nice suggestion! Glad you like the list.

      Reply
    5. Pingback: Thanksgiving Play and Games Roundup | Imagine Toys Blog

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