Thanksgiving Read Alouds
Indulge in the spirit of the holiday with Thanksgiving read-alouds! Are you looking for ideas to immerse your family in the festive season of Thanksgiving?
Reading Thanksgiving-themed books is a great way to cultivate gratitude, instil values, and build a sense of community. With an engaging assortment of stories celebrating the holiday, these read-alouds serve as a fantastic addition to your Thanksgiving activities.
From heartwarming tales of family gatherings to stories of the Pilgrims’ first Thanksgiving, there’s something for everyone. So, cozy up on your couch, gather your loved ones, and let’s embark on this heartwarming journey together.
Thanksgiving read-alouds – fostering a love of reading, while helping create treasured family memories.
What is a read-aloud?
A read-aloud is an interactive storytelling session, where one person reads out loud to others. It’s a popular activity that helps improve listening skills, vocabulary, and creativity in children. While it’s commonly used in classrooms, incorporating read-alouds at home can bring the family together for quality bonding time.
Why read Thanksgiving-themed books?
Thanksgiving is about giving thanks and being grateful for what we have. Reading Thanksgiving-themed books helps children understand the importance of gratitude, kindness, and empathy towards others.
It’s also a way to learn about the history of Thanksgiving and its traditions. Plus, it’s an excellent opportunity to introduce new vocabulary and cultural diversity.
Thanksgiving Read-Alouds
There are countless Thanksgiving-themed books to choose from, catering to all ages and interests. Some popular options include:
A giant turkey is on the loose! And everyone is on the case-Nate, his cousin Olivia, his dog, Sludge, and even his friend Claude. But from talking turkey to stalking turkey, will every detective come out a winner? Check out the Fun Activities section in the back of the book!
It's a time for giving thanks when the Magic Tree House whisks Jack and Annie back to 1621 on the first Thanksgiving Day. The Pilgrims ask them to help get things ready. But whether it's cooking or clamming, Jack and Annie don't know how to do anything the Pilgrim way. Will they ruin the holiday forever? Or will the feast go on?
It's November, and there's a new mystery to solve. 'The twins' new neighbors are up to something! It's Thanksgiving, and a mysterious couple has moved in next door. Bradley, Brian, Nate, and Lucy mustwork out the clues: The neighbors have built a tall wooden fence. They've bought some strange parts formaking . . . something. They've even put up a suspicious tent in their backyard, with a big, scary dog to guard it. What could they possibly be hiding?
It's almost Thanksgiving, and Richard Best can't stop thinking about Ms. Rooney's Candy Corn contest. Whoever can guess the exact number of yellow-and-orange candies in the jar on Ms. Roney's desk gets to keep them all. The only problem is Richard has to read a page in a library book for each guess.
Gobble, gobble! Room One is getting ready for their very own Thanksgiving feast! There's even a contest to see which room can write the best thankful list. The winners will get a pumpkin pie! Only it turns out being thankful is harder than it looks. Because Junie B. is not actually thankful for Tattletale May. Or squash. Or scratchy pilgrim costumes. And pumpkin pie makes her vomit, anyway. Will Room One win the disgusting pie? Can May and Junie B. find common ground? Or will this Thanksgiving feast turn into a Turkey Day Disaster?
River Heights Elementary School is having a Thanksgiving pageant, and Nancy, Bess, and George want to dress up as Native Americans! But when the town starts preparing for Thanksgiving dinner, the girls end up smelling a mystery instead of turkey. As Thanksgiving food around town starts to disappear, the Clue Crew realizes that someone is trying to destroy the holiday! Can the Crew catch these birdbrained bandits? Or will Thanksgiving dinner be a recipe for disaster?
When Amelia Bedelia helps out with the school Thanksgiving play, she causes quite a scene. Let's all give thanks for a funny Thanksgiving-themed Amelia Bedelia story!
A turkey is running loose in a school right before a Thanksgiving play. Can YOU help catch it so the show can go on? Follow along as students turn their school upside down trying to catch the turkey, ending with a twist that ensures no turkeys are harmed (or eaten!).
Starring in your school’s Thanksgiving play would make even the coolest cat nervous, including Pete the Cat! But the show must go on….
With more than ten flaps that open to reveal hidden surprises, Pete the Cat: The First Thanksgiving is sure to be a holiday hit and a favorite for Pete the Cat fans.
There was an old lady who swallowed a turkey.
I don't know why she swallowed the turkey,
But she's always been quirky!
It's Thanksgiving and this time the Old Lady is swallowing a turkey, a ball, a hat, a balloon, a boat, some wheels, and a horn of plenty! With hilarious illustrations and a lively rhyme, this is sure to become a seasonal favorite!
When Peppermint Patty invites herself (and most of her friends) to Charlie Brown’s house for Thanksgiving dinner, Charlie Brown reluctantly agrees to make a holiday feast even though he can barely make toast and cold cereal! Can he pull together a memorable meal, or will he and his friends just be grateful when it’s over?
From the dangerous voyage across the Atlantic to the first harsh winter to the delicious Thanksgiving feast, all the excitement and wonder of the Pilgrims' first year in America is captured in this vivid retelling for the youngest historians. Colorful and appealing illustrations bring history to life!
Meet the master puppeteer who invented the first balloons for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Melissa Sweet brings to life the inspirational story of the puppeteer who invented the giant balloons floating in the sky during the annual parade celebrating Thanksgiving. The Caldecott Honor artist brilliantly captures the essence of Tony Sarg, a self-taught immigrant with a fascinating imagination.
School is starting soon and Turkey can’t wait. Each day, he and his barnyard friends practice their writing and math. But when the school bus rolls up, they are booted off. It turns out that animals aren’t allowed to attend school. Pig calls it “hogwash,” and Turkey agrees. All he has to do is find a way to show the students and the principal that turkeys―and their friends―do belong in school. With a gobble, gobble here; a gobble, gobble there; and a few clever costumes, he just might.
Mr. and Mrs. Moose invite all their animal friends for Thanksgiving dinner and the only one missing is Turkey. When they set out to find him, Turkey is quaking with fear because he doesn't realize that his hosts want him at their table, not on it.
Thanksgiving Children’s Books Library List
To make your library run smoother, we highly recommend printing out our suggested book list. With this list in hand, you can quickly navigate through the aisles and locate our Thanksgiving-themed recommendations.
This small step saves time and ensures you don’t miss out on any of the wonderful reads we’ve carefully selected. All you need to do is print the list, bring it along with you, and get ready to immerse yourself and your family in the spirit of Thanksgiving through these enchanting stories.
Thanksgiving read-alouds offer a delightful blend of leisure and learning. They provide a cozy setting to bond with your family, while also imparting valuable lessons of gratitude and history.
Whether it’s through the tale of a turkey, a heartwarming family gathering, or the pilgrims first Thanksgiving, these stories resonate with the essence of the holiday. So, this holiday season, let’s embrace the power of stories, nourish young minds, and above all, make cherished memories.