Sturdy for Common Things

Thanks & Giving: A Children’s Booklist for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a great time for sharing stories. For many, Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on the things we are grateful for and also how we can be generous to and mindful of those around us. I wrote a post about how to mindfully read books about Thanksgiving with kids— This booklist is an extension of that post. For this holiday I like to select picture books that focus on gratitude and selflessness, but also stories that celebrate the holiday without reference to the First Thanksgiving, as many are historically inaccurate and misleading.

Here are a few reading suggestions to enjoy together during the upcoming Thanksgiving weekend:

 

Children’s Books ABOUT THANKS & GIVING 

Thanks to the Animals by Allen Sockabasin, illustrated by Rebekah Raye

Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message by Chief Jake Swamp, illustrated by Erwin Printup

Bear Says Thanks by Karma Wilson, illustrated by Jane Champan

Day by Day by Susan Gal

Nickommoh!: A Thanksgiving Celebration by Jacki French Koller, illustrated by Marcia Sewall

Feeling Thankful by Shelly Rotner, Shelia Kelly, photographs by Shelly Rotner

Feast for 10 by Cathryn Falwell

An Awesome Book of Thanks by Dallas Clayton

One Hen by Katie Smith Milway, illustrated by Eugenie Fernades

A Chair for My Mother by Vera B. Williams

The Quiltmaker’s Gift by Jeff Brumbeau, illustrated by Gail de Marcken

 

STORIES ABOUT THANKSGIVING  (that aren’t about the First Thanksgiving) 

‘Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving by Dav Pilkey

Over the River & Through the Wood: A Holiday Adventure by Linda Ashman, illustrated by Kim Smith

Over the River and Through the Wood by Lydia Maria Child, illustrated by Christopher Manson

I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie by Alison Jackson, illustrated Judy Schachner

Balloons Over Broadway by Melissa Sweet

Thanks for Thanksgiving by Julie Markes, illustrated by DOris Barrette

The Ugly Pumpkin by Dave Horwitz