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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Thankful for Family (Berenstain Bears)
Available from:Celebrate Thanksgiving with your favorite bear family! When the Berenstain Bears gather around the table to eat their holiday meal, they share what they are thankful for. School, friends, and playgrounds make the list, but the most important item is their family.
(Ages 0 – 3)Also available from: -
Dr. Seuss's Thankful Things
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: -
Corduroy’s Thanksgiving
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: -
I Am Thankful
Available from:Thanksgiving has arrived, and a classroom of diverse children share the things they are thankful for. Adorable illustrations and rhyming text make it a fun holiday read. This delightful Little Golden Book is the perfect way to celebrate the day!
(Ages 2 – 5)Also available from: -
Five Silly Turkeys
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
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: -
Thanks for Nothing
Available from:As Bruce prepares a delicious Thanksgiving feast for his family, one surprise after another interrupts his cooking. Bruce gets grouchier and grouchier as his meal gets destroyed. This humorous twist on Thanksgiving is a hit with young readers!
(Ages 3 – 5)Also available from: -
T Is for Turkey
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
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: -
Keepunumuk
Available from:Learn about the first Thanksgiving from the Wampanoag point of view. When the Pilgrims settle in Wampanoag territory, they are unprepared for the harsh winter, and many die. Weeâchumun (corn) and her sisters share their food and knowledge of the land with the newcomers. This beautifully illustrated book is an essential reminder of the origins of Thanksgiving.
(Ages 3 – 7)Also available from: -
Around the Table that Granddad Built
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: -
I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie
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
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: -
Peyton Picks the Perfect Pie
Available from:Peyton likes lots of things, but she is extra particular when it comes to food. To expand her food horizons, she wants to find a Thanksgiving pie that she enjoys. The task proves difficult, but Peyton doesn’t give up until she has sampled every last one. Picky eaters and food lovers alike will enjoy this tasty tale.
(Ages 4 – 8)Also available from: -
Giving Thanks
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 2023.