Books always add to holiday fun - be sure to check your local library for suggestions. The ages below are only suggestions, younger children will sometimes enjoy having a book for older children read to them, and often older children will enjoy stories also also appropriate for younger ones.
BABY & PRESCHOOL
The Story of Thanksgiving
by Nancy J. Skarmeas, illustrated by Stacy Venturi-Pickett
This book tells the story of the first Thanksgiving--how Pilgrims came to America on the Mayflower in search of religious freedom, how they landed at Plymouth Rock, and how the Native Americans taught them to plant and then joined them in a Thanksgiving feast.
My First Thanksgiving (Board Book)
by Tomie dePaola
A bit of history, a craft activity, and a modern family celebration for the youngest to enjoy.
AGES 4-8
1, 2, 3, Thanksgiving!
by W. Nikola-Lisa, illustrated by Robin Kramer
This counting book leads children through Papa's one fat turkey, Mama's two pumpkin pies, and so on as the family sits down to a Thanksgiving feast.
Albert's Thanksgiving
by Leslie Tryon
After helping the children of Pleasant Valley plant a garden, Albert, the hardworking school handy-duck, has great difficulty in harvesting the vegetables before the Thanksgiving feast, because everyone has something else for him to do.
Arthur's Thanksgiving
by Marc Brown
Arthur finds his role as director of the Thanksgiving play a difficult one, especially since no one will agree to play the turkey.
The Berenstain Bears' Thanksgiving
by Stan Berenstain, Jan Berenstain
Papa Bear thinks that Thanksgiving is the best holiday of all, but his overreaction to the cubs' report of seeing Bigpaw in the woods teaches him an important lesson about the meaning of the day.
Cranberry Thanksgiving
by Wende Devlin, Harry Devlin
Maggie and her grandmother each invite a guest to their Thanksgiving feast, featuring Grandmother's own cranberry bread, made from a secret recipe.
Disney's Winnie the Pooh's Thanksgiving
by Bruce Talkington, illustrated by John Kurtz, A. A. (Winnie-The-Pooh) Milne
The beloved characters from the Winnie-the-Pooh tales gather on the grassy knoll to celebrate Thanksgiving, with each of Pooh's friends explaining what it is that he or she is thankful for.
Don't Know Much About The Pilgrims
by Kenneth C. Davis, Illustrated by S.D. Schindler
Kids can have fun learning about those famous men and women who inspired the Thanksgiving holiday with this easy-to-understand book. Interesting and quirky facts abound between the covers--in fact, you will probably learn a thing or two yourself!
Franklin's Thanksgiving
by Sharon Jennings, Paulette Bourgeois, Illustrated by Brenda Clark
Franklin's grandparents can't come for Thanksgiving. Franklin is very sad until he begins asking other friends and their families to come to his house. What will happen when all the people they invite can't fit into the house?
Gracias, the Thanksgiving Turkey
by Joy Cowley , illustrated by Joe Cepeda
Miguel's father gets him a turkey to fatten up for Thanksgiving, and soon the boy and bird are firmly attached. But what will become of his friend on the day of reckoning?
How Many Days to America? : A Thanksgiving Story
by Eve Bunting, illustrated by Beth Peck
After the police come, the family is forced to flee their Caribbean island and set sail for America in a small fishing boat. Other refugees crowd the boat and the voyage is a long one, but when the family finally arrives they discover it's a special day in more ways than one.
Molly's Pilgrim
by Barbara Cohen, illustrated by Daniel M. Duffy
Russian emigre Molly is embarrassed by her mother's attempts to help with her Thanksgiving project. She makes a pilgrim doll--but dresses it in Russian clothing. Soon, however, Molly learns that it takes all kinds of "pilgrims" to make a Thanksgiving.
Pilgrims of Plymouth
by Susan E. Goodman
Using photographs of people reinacting the daily lives of the Pilgrims, this book provides children with insight into how people and children lived. It makes the point that these were real people, not just characters from a book.
Pilgrim's First Thanksgiving
by Ann McGovern
Somewhat longer picture book that explains voyage of the Pilgrims, their becoming friends with Squanto, and the first feast.
The Pilgrims of Plimoth
by Marcia Sewall
When the Pilgrims landed on the east coast of America in 1620, they faced hardship, sickness, and fierce winter weather. This book presents the first-person-plural account of their struggles to achieve their dream of freedom in a new world.
Silly Tilly's Thanksgiving Dinner
by Lillian Hoban
It's Thanksgiving, and Silly Tilly Mole is planning to make dinner for her friends. But where are the invitations? What happened to the recipes? Why is the house so full of fog? Poor Tilly keeps getting confused - luckily there's a good surprise for her when the guests arrive. This is an easy reader book.
The Story of the Pilgrims
by Carolyn Croll (Illustrator), Katharine K. Ross
Short picture book that explains voyage of the Pilgrims, their becoming friends with Squanto, and the first feast.
Thanksgiving at Obaachan's
by Janet Mitsui Brown
A Japanese American girl describes the Thanksgiving celebration at her grandmother's house and things that make it her favorite holiday.
Thanksgiving at the Tappletons'
by Eileen Spinelli, illustrated by Maryann Cocca-Leffler
Runaway turkey, disappearing pies, salad, and potatoes! What will the Tappletons do? Read this story for a very entertaining twist to what Thanksgiving is all about!
A Turkey for Thanksgiving
by Eve Bunting, illustrated by Diane de Groat
Mrs. Moose wants a turkey for Thanksgiving. Mr. Moose finds a turkey...what happens next is a surprise ending!
Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving
by Dav Pilkey
A tall tale of how 8 school children on a field trip bring home some unexpected Thanksgiving guests.
AGES 9-12
1621 A New Look at Thanksgiving
by Catherine O'Neill Grace, Margaret M. Bruchac with Plimoth Plantation
This book uses maps, recipes and photographs of historical reinactments to debunk the myths of Thanksgiving. It presents new, factual information in a clear, well-written manner.
The First Thanksgiving
by Jean Craighead George, illustrated by Thomas Locker
The story of the Pilgrims is vividly retold in simple language for beginning readers.