Here are our favorite Thanksgiving Picture Books, with a focus on gratitude and the fun of feasting and gathering.
I love Thanksgiving! The cooking and baking, the feasting (of course), and the gathering of friends and family. It’s one of my favorite holidays.
And being the bookworm that I am, I of course have a collection of books for my favorite holiday! We’ve been collecting Thanksgiving Picture Books for over a decade now and we’ve found some real gems. We’ve also added some new books to the collection this year!
For our Thanksgiving Picture Books Collection, I like to focus on the gratitude aspect of the holiday, as well as the feasting and gathering elements. I don’t have books here that perpetuate stereotypes about Native peoples, nor do I have any books on this list sharing questionable historical tales about Pilgrims and Indians.
The picture books on this list are wonderful, both new and old favorites to enjoy! If you’re looking for more general Autumn themed picture books, check out our Big List of Autumn Picture Books too!
P.S. If you want to narrow down the choices, the first 10 books on this list are my most favorite.
Note: the Amazon links in this post are affiliate links.
The Best Thanksgiving Picture Books
Thanksgiving Is Here!
By Diane Goode
This has been one of my favorites for years because it captures so well what my family's Thanksgiving gatherings have always been like. All the food, all the people, all the fun.
Thankful
By Elaine Vickers | Illustrated by Samantha Cotterill
This is a new one we added to our collection this year and it is phenomenal! It's not specifically about Thanksgiving, but just about being thankful. Not only are the illustrations some of the most amazing and creative illustrations I've ever seen, the story brought tears to my eyes. Highly recommend this one!
We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga
By Traci Sorell | Illustrated by Frane Lessac
I adore this beautiful book. The word Otsaliheliga is used by members of the Cherokee nation to express gratitude and this book takes you through a full year of Cherokee celebrations of community and gratitude. A must read!
'Twas the Night Before ThanksgivingĀ
By Dav Pilkey
This is a really fun Thanksgiving read aloud book. It's set to the rhyme and rhythm of "Twas the Night Before Christmas, but this version stars turkeys. It's super fun and clever - always a hit with my kids.
Balloons over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's ParadeĀ
By Melissa Sweet
I used to love watching the Macy's Parade on TV when I was a kid, so it was fun to find this book about the puppeteer Tony Sarg, who masterminded all of those giant balloons that the parade is famous for. The pictures in this one are amazing!
Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning MessageĀ
By Chief Jake Swamp | Illustrated by Erwin Printup
This Reading Rainbow book is a beautiful message of gratitude from the Native people of upstate New York and Canada. The gorgeous, colorful illustrations are the perfect companion to the text. This is a fantastic perspective to add to your Thanksgiving reading.
Sharing the Bread: An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving Story
By Pat Zietlow Miller | Illustrated by Jill McEllmurry
This is a lovely book, with simple rhyming text, about the joys of sharing a good meal with the people you love. It's a quintessential Thanksgiving Picture Book.
Turkey Trouble
By Wendi Silvano | Illustrated By Lee Harper
My kids giggle their way through this silly book about a turkey who tries to disguise himself as other animals to avoid becoming Thanksgiving dinner. It's quite clever and fun!
Thankful (Board Book)
By Eileen Spinelli | Illustrated by Archie Preston
This is a sweet and gentle book about being thankful. The rhyming text and adorable illustrations make it a favorite read aloud at our house.
Thanks for Nothing (Mother Bruce Series)
By Ryan T. Higgins
Everyone's favorite grumpy mother bear is back and this time it's Thanksgiving. This funny new book is sure to get some giggles out of your little ones. We thought it was adorable!
A Plump And Perky TurkeyĀ
By Teresa Bateman | Illustrated by Jeff Shelly
This is a fun (and funny) read. The people in Squawk Valley don't have any turkeys for Thanksgiving. Luckily Ebeneezer Beezer has an idea! They'll have a turkey themed arts and crafts fair and try to lure in Pete, the town's very vain, plump and perky Turkey. But Pete might be more clever than they think!
Over the River and Through the Wood
By Lydia Maria Child | Illustrated by Christopher Manson
This is the classic poem, but paired with gorgeous woodcut illustrations, it really comes to life! It's a wonderful classic to have in your home library.
Cranberry ThanksgivingĀ
By Wende Devlin | Illustrated by Henry Devlin
Grandma always encourages Maggie to invite someone "poor or lonely" to Thanksgiving dinner, but when she shows up with Mr. Whiskers, Grandma is worried that she's invited someone a little too unsavory. But don't worry, Grandma is going to open up her heart, and maybe even share her famous cranberry bread too.
This is an oldie but a goodie from the 1970's. I love the illustrations, and the cranberry bread recipe at the end of the book!
Thanksgiving with Me
By Margaret Willey | Illustrated by Lloyd Bloom
This is a sweet and simple book about a young girl anxiously awaiting the arrival of her uncles for the Thanksgiving feast, while her mother keeps her entertained with family memories. It's a fast paced, rhyming text, which makes it a quick and fun read.
The Very Stuffed Turkey
By Katherine Kenah | Illustrated by Binny Talib
The turkey is very stuffed, but not for the reason you might think. Turkey was invited to FIVE Thanksgiving dinners, and he attends them all, eating until he is, well, stuffed. This is another silly book that kids will love.
Giving Thanks: Poems, Prayers, and Praise Songs of Thanksgiving
By Katherine Paterson | Illustrated By Pamela Dalton
Illustrated with photographs of stunning woodcut art, this book is a collection of poems, songs, prayers, and meditations on gratitude. It's a lovely book to read all throughout the month of November as you teach and talk about thankfulness.
Bear Says Thanks
By Karma Wilson | Illustrated by Jane Chapman
A friend introduced me to Karma Wilson's lovely books just a couple of years ago (I don't know how I'd missed them!) and this one quickly became a favorite. Bear wants to invite all of his friends over for a feast to say thank you, but he has just one problem, all his cupboards are bare. Luckily, Bear has a special gift he can still share.
Squanto's Journey: The Story of the First Thanksgiving
By Joseph Bruchac | Illustrated by Greg Shed
This is a well rounded account of Squanto and how he befriended the English pilgrims. A great Thanksgiving picture for older kids (8 and up) who want to dig in to the history.
The Thankful Book
By Todd Parr
Even very young children will appreciate this fantastic Thankful book. Bright colorful illustrations and simple text, with a wonderful message that's easy to understand. We love the Todd Parr books!
The Thanksgiving Door
By Debby Atwell
This is a quirky little book, but I love it! An old woman burns the Thanksgiving Dinner, so her and her husband head out to find a restaurant that's open. They do find one with an open door, not realizing that they've intruded on a family gathering. Luckily, the family is ready to welcome the uninvited guests.
Apple Cake: A Gratitude
By Dawn Casey
This is a brand new book and a new addition to our Thanksgiving collection. The illustrations are completely charming and the story, about a young girl giving thanks for all of the things in nature that make an apple cake possible. There's even a delicious apple cake recipe at the end!
Duck for Turkey Day
By Jacqueline Jules | Illustrated by Kathryn Mitter
'Tuyet learns about Thanksgiving at school, but she's worried that her Vietnamese family isn't celebrating right. They're having duck instead of turkey. But Tuyet is going to realize that there's more than one way to celebrate this holiday.
I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a PieĀ
By Alison Jackson | Illustrated by Judy Schachner
A silly book, but so fun to read. Plus, you have to a book about pie on any Thanksgiving Picture Books list, right? My kids always get a kick out of this one.
Thanksgiving in the Woods
By Phyllis Alsdurf | Illustrated by Jenny Lovlie
This is the beautifully illustrated true story of a family in upstate New York who hosts Thanksgiving outdoors in the woods every year.
Peyton Picks the Perfect Pie: A Thanksgiving Celebration
By America's Test Kitchen Editors
This is a fun new book from America's Test Kitchen. Peyton is a picky eater but on Thanksgiving she agrees to try a new food - Pie! This is a fun look at how trying new foods can actually be fun and rewarding.
Thank You, Sarah: The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving
By Laurie Halse Anderson | Illustrated by Matt Faulkner
This is the true story of how Sarah Hale petitioned for 35 years to make Thanksgiving into a holiday. It's a little known history but so fun to read about.
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