The Best Thanksgiving Picture Books

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

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!

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.