Parents say these are the best Thanksgiving books for kids to gobble up as the excitement for the holiday season builds!

These family favorites tell the story of the first Thanksgiving, teach gratitude, and let little ones know what Thanksgiving activities and traditions to expect as the special celebration approaches.

Enjoy these wonderful kids Thanksgiving books all month long before you dive into the Christmas stories!

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    Magic Tree House: Thanksgiving on Thursday

    Beth Wood:  Early chapter book readers can follow the adventures of Jack and Annie in the favorite Magic Treehouse series by Mary Pope Osborne. Thanksgiving on Thursday tells how Jack and Annie use their magic tree house to get transported back in time to the first ever Thanksgiving in 1621.

    A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

    Kristy Pepping:  One of our favorite Thanksgiving books for kids is based on the Peanuts holiday classic where the gang gathers at Charlie Brown's house for Thanksgiving. Charlie Brown is forced to make dinner for the rest of his friends even though he is far from a master chef. In the end, everyone is grateful for the hospitality.

    The Berenstain Bears Give Thanks

    Beth Wood:  Read along with the Berenstain Bears family as they celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday and learn about the pilgrims and the first Thanksgiving.

    Bear Says Thanks

    Katie G.:  In Karma Wilson's Bear Says Thanks, Bear wants to thank all his friends by having them over for a big dinner. Only problem is, he discovers his cupboards are empty. See how Bear and his friends solve the problem and enjoy their feast.

    Llama Llama Gives Thanks

    Beth Wood:  Read this Thanksgiving book for kids by Anna Dewdney to find out what Llama and his family are thankful for all year long.

    Where is Baby's Turkey?

    Beth Wood:  The littlest of readers will have loads of fun and stay engaged while reading this lift-the-flap book about how baby searches for a turkey stuffed animal while getting ready for Thanksgiving.

    I'm Thankful Each Day!

    Vanessa M.:  This book by P. K. Hallinan is beautiful poetry for children about thankfulness that anyone at any age can benefit from reading! This book follows a little boy's list of things he is thankful for. Loosely religious, the boy is thankful for all the blessings he experiences, which helps kids (and their parents) become more thankful too!

    Pete the Cat: The First Thanksgiving

    Beth Wood:  This is a fun interactive book that follows Pete the Cat on his adventure of starring in his school's Thanksgiving play. Readers can lift up different flaps to reveal surprises throughout the story.

    10 Fat Turkeys

    Beth Wood:  In the fashion of the classic 10 Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed, this funny read-out-loud book shares the story of 10 Fat Turkeys and all the crazy things they do while counting down from ten to one.

    Junie B. Jones: Turkeys We Have Loved and Eaten (and Other Thankful Stuff)

    Beth Wood:  Junie B. Jones and her first grade class prepare for a classroom feast in this hilarious Thanksgiving book for kids by Barbara Park.

    Cranberry Thanksgiving

    Kelly R.:  A well-loved favorite that tells a different story than most other Thanksgiving books for kids. Grandmother always asks Maggie to invite someone "poor or lonely" to Thanksgiving dinner, but is worried about the safety of her secret cranberry bread recipe when Maggie reveals who she has chosen to invite. It's a warm and entertaining story with an important message about not judging others by appearances.

    Fancy Nancy: Our Thanksgiving Banquet

    Beth Wood:  Fancy Nancy celebrates the holiday with her family in her Thanksgiving book. As an added bonus, this book contains lots of Thanksgiving themed stickers.

    Five Silly Turkeys

    Beth Wood:  This Thanksgiving kids book by Salina Yoon will keep toddlers entertained during each read! Five shiny, crinkly feathers line the book's edge and are perfect for grabbing while reading about five turkeys and all the silly things they do.

    Biscuit Is Thankful

    Beth Wood:  Read what everyone's favorite puppy, Biscuit, is thankful for this holiday in this heartwarming Thanksgiving board book.

    Thanksgiving Is for Giving Thanks!

    Beth Wood:  Margaret Sutherland teaches children about the importance of being thankful while also celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday.

    The Littlest Pilgrim

    Beth Wood:  This Thanksgiving book for kids follows Mini, the tiniest pilgrim in her village, who doesn't feel like she can do much because of her size. Meeting a new friend proves her wrong.

    The Night Before Thanksgiving

    Beth Wood:  This entertaining Thanksgiving book for kids, written in rhyming prose, tells the story of how a family prepares for the holiday. From making Thanksgiving dinner to watching a parade to welcoming family, there's a lot of things to do on Thanksgiving.

    The First Thanksgiving

    Beth Wood:  Young readers can read all about how the first Thanksgiving came about and was celebrated with the Native Americans and the Pilgrims in this colorfully illustrated Step-Into-Reading book by Linda Hayward.

    T is for Turkey: A True Thanksgiving Story

    Beth Wood:  Little readers will enjoy this cute alphabet book that uses rhyming verses to teach about Thanksgiving.

    Gobble Gobble Mad Libs

    Kelly R.:  Kids will love filling in the blanks to create their own silly Thanksgiving stories, and you'll love having a quiet road trip activity for your holiday travels.

    The Story of the Pilgrims

    Beth Wood:  Young readers can follow the pilgrims on their voyage across the Atlantic and through their first year in America that leads up to the first Thanksgiving.

    This Is The Feast

    Beth Wood:  Young readers will learn about the three-day feast celebrating the first Thanksgiving and how the Native Americans and Pilgrims formed new friendships that helped the Pilgrims survive their first year in America.

    Nate the Great Talks Turkey

    Beth Wood:  It's harder to find kids Thanksgiving books with chapters, but this fun and exciting story is entertaining for older readers who like mystery books. Follow Detective Nate and his dog as they team up with Nate's cousin to solve the case of the missing turkey.

    Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade

    Kelly R.:  This biography for kids tells the story of Tony Sarg and how the trademark balloons of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade came to be. A fascinating and beautifully-illustrated read for any kids (and parents!) who love the Thanksgiving tradition of tuning in to the parade.

    . . . If You Sailed on the Mayflower in 1620

    Kelly R.:  This fact-filled book describes the experiences of the Pilgrims traveling on the Mayflower with detailed descriptions and illustrations that make it easy for kids to think more deeply about the history of Thanksgiving.

    Turkey Trouble

    Kelly R.:  Turkey decides to escape his fate at the Thanksgiving table by dressing up in disguise in this funny Thanksgiving kids book by Wendi Silvano.

    Sometimes It's Turkey, Sometimes It's Feathers

    Kelly R.:  One of the most classic Thanksgiving books for kids, this has been a family favorite for decades. Mrs. Gumm finds an egg, and plans to have turkey for Thanksgiving dinner. Kids love the sweet surprise twist at the end.

    The Thankful Book

    Kelly R.:  Another Todd Parr favorite that teaches kids to be thankful for what they have and proud of who they are. You can keep reading this one well after the Thanksgiving leftovers are gone.

    One Is a Feast for Mouse: A Thanksgiving Tale

    Kelly R.:  Judy Cox teaches a good lesson about being thankful for what we have in this story about a mouse who sneaks a few more Thanksgiving leftovers than he can handle. A very fun read-aloud Thanksgiving kids book!

Primary photo:   Chris Lawton on Unsplash

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