Thanksgiving can be a challenge for teachers. Most want to ensure an even-handed, culturally sensitive approach. That’s why we’ve carefully chosen these Thanksgiving books for all grades and ages. They include selections by indigenous authors, a look at holiday traditions, and unique views on what it means to be thankful.
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The sweet rhyming refrain reminds kids of all they have to be thankful for. “I am thankful. My heart grows. Love fills me from head to toes.” This will be one of the pre-K crowd’s favorite Thanksgiving books.
This Caldecott Honor book tells the story of Omu and her delectable stew. She shares it with the whole neighborhood, leaving none for herself. Fortunately, her neighbors return the favor and share in return.
Nature gives us so many things to be grateful for! This lovely little book is a reminder that gratitude is all around us.
A diverse group of family and friends gathers for a meal, and each person brings a contribution with special meaning. Though it’s not specifically about a Thanksgiving meal, this tale captures the spirit of the holiday.
This poetry collection explores what it means to be thankful. It’s not specifically a Thanksgiving book, but it’s perfect for this time of year. We love that it includes a wide variety of poetry styles.
Kick off a conversation about gratitude with this ode to the many people, things, and experiences one boy is thankful for. This book includes directions for creating a gratitude jar and creative ideas for writing thank-you notes.
Each year, one group of family and friends treks into the woods to set up an outdoor Thanksgiving. This real-life story encourages kids to think about new ways to celebrate the holiday. It’s also a perfect holiday-themed mentor text for writing personal narratives.
Most students can relate to being a kid at a large family gathering, whether it’s Thanksgiving or not. If you can make it through the kissing, cheek-pinching “Hall of Aunts,” there is fun to be had!
America is made up of people from many cultures and traditions. While many of them celebrate Thanksgiving, they don’t all do it with turkey and pumpkin pie. This tale encourages kids to learn more about what Thanksgiving dinner looks like in households across the country.
Thanksgiving has ties to Harvest Home festivals, when people gave thanks for a bountiful harvest. This book captures that spirit, with catchy rhyming text and joyful illustrations that make it a great read-aloud.
Chances are, this is one of those Thanksgiving books your students already know the words to! The lush and detailed illustrations make this version a lovely choice for storytime.
Many people start Thanksgiving Day by watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. This fun book is rich in engaging images, telling the true story of Tony Sarg, puppeteer extraordinaire!
America harvests cranberries, pumpkins, and potatoes, but also so much more. This creatively illustrated collection of haiku about different crops includes accompanying informational facts for each.
Thanksgiving is a particularly great time to share books written by and about indigenous people. This reflection on the Cherokee tradition of gratitude is both fascinating and moving.
This story sparks relevant conversations about the relationships between food, family, tradition, and culture. A modern-day family prepares a food that’s steeped in Native American history.
National Geographic published this text that’s full of fascinating facts about Thanksgiving and its history. It highlights the connection to the National Day of Mourning and shows how families celebrate today.
If you want to be sure indigenous peoples’ stories are told well, choose books by indigenous authors. Bruchac, a member of the Abenaki, delves into the story of Squanto, who features prominently in the story of the First Thanksgiving. The author tells the story from Squanto’s point of view, including his life before and after the advent of the first Europeans.
A family road trip, a big meal, a gaggle of aunts, uncles, and cousins—these are the elements of celebrations across many cultures. Learn about the birth of new traditions, even those that go against the norms of mainstream culture.
When a Jewish immigrant wins a turkey in a raffle at work, his family dreams of having an “American Thanksgiving” like all their neighbors. The prize doesn’t turn out as expected, so they create their own traditions instead.
National Geographic has published several Thanksgiving books, and this one is very popular for upper elementary and middle school. Check out the additional resources Plimoth Plantation offers for even more curriculum ideas.
Not everyone aboard the Mayflower was a pilgrim seeking religious freedom. John Howland boarded the ship as a teenage indentured servant. This tale brings the story of the first hard year at Plymouth to life.
November is Native American Heritage Month, so use this book as a starting point for exploration into their rich traditions and culture. It includes hands-on activities students will enjoy.
Moving to a country inn complicates Heath’s already difficult relationship with his alcoholic father. It also introduces him to a cast of unlikely new characters. The arrival of Thanksgiving gives Heath more to think about than ever before.
We’re often reminded that Pilgrims came to Plymouth as refugees seeking religious freedom. Thanksgiving is the ideal time to discover more refugee stories. Read about a German Jewish boy during World War II, a Cuban girl in 1994, and a Syrian boy in 2015.
This historical account of the Pilgrims’ arrival tells the good, bad, and ugly that followed. Painstakingly researched and told, this one goes far beyond questioning whether the first Thanksgiving meal actually included turkey.
If you’re using Thanksgiving as a springboard for conversations around the Native American experience, try this novel with your high school students. It follows 12 characters from native communities, making their way to the Big Oakland Powwow. Their stories are enlightening, heartbreaking, and sure to start a discussion in your classroom.
This “unsettling” history will challenge the way your students think about Thanksgiving, but that’s a good thing. They’ll develop a better understanding of the Wampanoag tribe and their lives before and after the arrival of the Mayflower.
Switch things up by reading this play aloud in class. It’s about a group of well-intentioned white teachers who want to put on a “woke” Thanksgiving pageant. Their own deep-seated prejudices cause unexpected problems. It’s funny and eye-opening all at the same time.
The various sections of this book are perfect for a jigsaw discussion about the influences that shaped Thanksgiving into a symbol of American culture.
How do you approach this holiday in your classroom? What are your favorite Thanksgiving books to use? Come share on the WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook.
Plus, 10 Thanksgiving writing prompts inspired by children’s literature .
