Baby & Toddler
Pre-K
15 Picture Books to Celebrate Thanksgiving
by the Brightly Editors
Thanksgiving is nearly here, and with it comes festivities and traditions — from the parades to the pies to the gaggle of cousins running underfoot. Most of all, Thanksgiving is a time to pause and express gratitude. Introduce the holiday to the youngest of readers with these delightful Thanksgiving picture books featuring some of their favorite characters and holiday-themed activities.
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Dr. Seuss's Thankful Things
Also available from:From games to pie, Thing One and Thing Two have plenty to feel grateful for — and they want to share it with you. They list the things they’re thankful for in this Thanksgiving-themed board book for toddlers. It’s the perfect addition to your turkey day reading stack!
(Ages 0-3)Also available from: -
Let's Be Thankful (PAW Patrol)
Also available from:Children that can’t get enough of Paw Patrol will adore this puppy-themed Thanksgiving book. It features your child’s favorite canine characters and lists the many things that dogs (and kids) are thankful for. It’s a holiday must-have for fans of the TV show.
(Ages 0-3)Also available from: -
Llama Llama Gives Thanks
Also available from:With simple, rhyming text and cheerful illustrations, this Llama Llama board book is ideal for the youngest Llama Llama fans. Little Llama loves Thanksgiving - but the attitude of gratitude, he knows, is one that can be enjoyed all year long.
(Ages 0-3)Also available from: -
Otis Gives Thanks
Also available from:Otis the tractor has so much to be thankful for: the land he tills, the games he plays with friends, and the love he feels in his big tractor heart. Fans of Otis will love celebrating the holiday alongside him.
(Ages 0-3)Also available from: -
Corduroy’s Thanksgiving
Also available from:Everyone's favorite overall-donning bear celebrates Thanksgiving with friends in this sweet board book. From watching the Thanksgiving Day parade to sharing what they're most thankful for, this one's a great introduction to cherished traditions.
(Ages 0-3)Also available from: -
Five Silly Turkeys
Also available from:Count the turkeys on each page as they disappear, one by one. With its humorous illustrations, sensory elements, and simple rhyme, this bestselling board book is the perfect way to introduce your toddler to Thanksgiving.
(Ages 2-5)Also available from: -
Thanksgiving Is for Giving Thanks
Also available from:A reminder to prioritize gratitude over all else, Thanksgiving Is for Giving Thanks is a heartwarming read to celebrate the holiday. Its simple message embraces thankfulness for the big and small - from loving family to a cup of hot chocolate on a chilly day.
(Ages 3-5)Also available from: -
Elmo’s Best Thanksgiving Ever! (Sesame Street)
Also available from:Celebrate Thanksgiving with your child’s favorite little red monster! When rain ruins his family’s outdoor party plans, Elmo is disappointed but focuses on what he’s thankful for instead. Sesame Street fans will love this sweet holiday story.
(Ages 2-5)Also available from: -
T Is for Turkey
Also available from:This rhyming alphabet book captures an elementary-school play of the first Thanksgiving. Accessible and entertaining, it's subtly packed with historical facts that may be new for parents, too!
(Ages 3-5)Also available from: -
Thanksgiving Parade
Also available from:Illustrating a family-favorite, longstanding tradition, this shaped board book is all about the fun to be had while watching a Thanksgiving Day parade - whether in person or from the comfort of your couch.
(Ages 3-5)Also available from: -
My First Thanksgiving
Also available from:No home library is complete without a Tomie dePaola picture book or two. His holiday titles celebrate Christmas, Chanukah, Passover, Easter, Halloween - and, of course, Thanksgiving. A pop-out front cover starts off this read on a high note.
(Ages 3-5)Also available from: -
Around the Table that Granddad Built
Also available from:In this fun spin on the nursery rhyme "This is the House That Jack Built," a little girl pays homage to all the familial connections and contributions that built their Thanksgiving - from the table her grandfather crafted to the glasses from her parents' wedding, all the way down to the pie she helped bake.
(Ages 3-7)Also available from: -
The Berenstain Bears Meet Bigpaw: A Thanksgiving Story (Berenstain Bears)
Also available from:You’ll love this funny Thanksgiving story inspired by the animated television series. As the Bear family gets ready for Thanksgiving, Mama Bear tells them about a terrifying creature called Bigpaw. Then, when an extra-large bear shows up in Bear Country, nobody knows if he’s the legendary monster or a friendly new neighbor.
(Ages 3-7)Also available from: -
I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie
Also available from:Another zany take on a familiar rhyme, I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie has serious The Very Hungry Caterpillar vibes: the old lady swallows an entire Thanksgiving feast - squash, turkey, pie, and all. The expressive illustrations and outlandish plot will have readers laughing (and ready to eat!).
(Ages 3-7)Also available from: -
Sharing the Bread
Also available from:A family prepares all the traditional dishes for their Thanksgiving meal. From the turkey to the cranberries, each person has a special job to do. This gorgeously illustrated picture book honors the tradition and love that goes into preparing (and eating) the food on Thanksgiving.
(Ages 4-8)Also available from: -
The Night Before Thanksgiving
Also available from:Natasha Wing's beloved Night Before series wouldn't be complete without a Thanksgiving-themed celebration - and there's so much to be excited for during the lead-up to that November day (including a houseful of cousins!).
(Ages 4-8)Also available from: -
Giving Thanks
Also available from:Americans have celebrated Thanksgiving for generations, and this book shares how the tradition began. Sarah Josepha Hale started a letter-writing campaign and gained the president’s approval to make it an official holiday. Now, thanks to her efforts, Americans gather with friends and family every year to express gratitude.
(Ages 4-8)Also available from:
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2019 and updated in 2022.