The Ultimate List of Thanksgiving Books to Read for Homeschoolers

It’s hard to believe that Thanksgiving is so close! If you want to incorporate some Thanksgiving flare to your homeschool curriculum but worry about having the time to pull it all together, don’t worry–we have a lot right here at Modern Homeschool Family. Just do a simple search (see that box up there on the right?) for “Thanksgiving” for “Autumn” and you’ll find everything from printable worksheets to crafts and more!

Add a few of the books and you’ve got a unit study ready to go!

The Ultimate List of Thanksgiving Books to Read for Homeschoolers

 

 

Little Critter: Just a Special Thanksgiving (PreK-2)

Little Critter® has charmed readers for over forty years.

Now he is going to have a Thanksgiving he’ll never forget! From the school play to a surprise dinner for all of Critterville, celebrate along with Little Critter and his family as they give thanks this holiday. Starring Mercer Mayer’s classic, loveable character, this brand-new 8×8 storybook is perfect for story time and includes a sheet of stickers!

 

Pete the Cat: The First Thanksgiving (PreK-3)

Join Pete in New York Times bestselling artist James Dean’s Pete the Cat picture book series as Pete celebrates Thanksgiving in this groovy lift-the-flap book!

Starring in the school Thanksgiving play would make even the coolest cat nervous. But when Pete the Cat gets onstage, he makes learning the story of the first Thanksgiving fun. With thirteen flaps that open to reveal hidden surprises, this book is sure to be a holiday favorite for every Pete the Cat fan.

 

The Berenstain Bears Give Thanks (4th grade and up)

The Berenstain cubs act out the first Thanksgiving complete with costumes, props, and a full Thanksgiving feast. But will Sister Bear’s pet turkey play the part of dinner? The Berenstain Bears Give Thanks teaches how God provided for the pilgrims and reminds children of God’s many blessings.

 

The Berenstain Bears Thanksgiving Blessings (4 to 8 years old)

Ride along with the Bear family on Thanksgiving Day as Brother and Sister learn about all the things they- and YOU-can be thankful for…including faith, family, and the huge feast waiting for them at the end of their journey to Gramp’s and Gran’s.

 

The Night Before Thanksgiving (PreK-3)

Everyone’s favorite fun-filled, family-filled, food-filled holiday is almost here! Follow along as the feast is prepared, cousins are greeted, and everyone gathers around the table, all with an extra helping of holiday fun.

 

Thanksgiving Is for Giving Thanks (3 to 5 years old)

Sure, Thanksgiving is about pilgrims and history–and turkey, of course!–but most importantly, it’s a holiday all about everything that we are thankful for. Cheerful, colorful illustrations accompany the simple text in this celebration of family, friends, and the holiday that brings them all together.

 

The Story of the Pilgrims (PreK-2)

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 that is perfect for the youngest historians.

 

The Thanksgiving Story (PreK-3)

In this festive Caldecott Honor–winning picture book, Alice Dalgiesh brings to life the origin of the Thanksgiving holiday for readers of all ages.

Giles, Constance and Damaris Hopkins are all passengers aboard the crowded Mayflower, journeying to the New World to start a new life. Things get a little more cramped when their baby brother Oceanus is born during the passage. However, when they arrive, there are even worse challenges to face as the Pilgrims are subjected to hunger, cold, and sickness that put their small colony in great danger. With the help of the Native Americans though, they might just be able to survive their first year in this strange land—and have a November harvest to celebrate for generations!

 

Thanks for Thanksgiving (PreK-3)

Everyone knows that Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks—the question is, where to begin? From the turkey on the table to warm, cozy cuddles, life is full of small things and bigger pleasures. But what is most important is being able to share them with family!

Julie Markes reminds kids and adults alike about the little details that make each day enjoyable, while Doris Barrette’s beautiful and striking illustrations bring her thoughtful words to life.

 

Pinkalicious: Thanksgiving Helper (PreK-3)

It’s Thanksgiving Day, and Pinkalicious and Peter decide to be Thanksgiving helpers!

 

The Pilgrims’ First Thanksgiving (PreK-3)

The Pilgrims’ first Thanksgiving lasted three whole days. Ann McGovern’s simple text introduces children to the struggles of the Pilgrims during their first year at Plymouth Colony and the events leading to the historic occasion we celebrate today.

 

Cranberry Thanksgiving

Grandmother certainly didn’t want to ask Mr. Whiskers for Thanksgiving dinner! She was very angry when Maggie asked him. She was even more angry when SOMEONE stole her favorite, secret recipe for cranberry bread! Was Mr. Whiskers the thief?

 

The Autumn Visitors (PreK-3)

In this fourth and final book in Karel Hayes’s acclaimed Visitors series, the beloved family of bears gets in another round of adventures as they experience the full enjoyment of a New England autumn. First up the country fair–the bears sneak onto the midway after hours to play the games and be thrilled by the rides.

Next comes Halloween, for which the bears all cleverly disguise themselves to gather a load of trick-or-treat candy. And finally there’s a big Thanksgiving feast for all the friends of the forest. As always, the bears manage to have all their fun while carefully avoiding detection.

 

Squanto’s Journey: The Story of the First Thanksgiving (PreK-3)

In 1620 an English ship called the Mayflower landed on the shores inhabited by the Pokanoket, and it was Squanto who welcomed the newcomers and taught them how to survive. When a good harvest was gathered, the people feasted together–a tradition that continues almost four hundred years later.

 

‘Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving (PreK)

The incomparable Dav Pilkey adapts Clement Moore’s classic Christmas poem to tell his wacky Thanksgiving tale. The day before Thanksgiving, eight boys and girls take a field trip to a turkey farm.

They have fun playing with eight exuberant turkeys but are shocked to learn that Farmer Mack Nuggett plans to kill all the turkeys for Thanksgiving dinners. So the children decide to smuggle all the turkeys home, and all their Thanksgiving dinners become vegetarian this year. The turkeys’ lives are saved!

 

One Little, Two Little, Three Little Pilgrims (PreK-2)

Ten little Pilgrims and ten little Wampanoag boys and girls are getting ready for the harvest feast. In colonial Plymouth, the young Pilgrims hunt ducks and geese and dig up turnips and carrots. In a nearby village, the Wampanoag children dig for clams, fish for cod, and gather nuts and berries. Finally, it’s time for the meal.

Turkey, cornbread, cranberry stuffing, pumpkin, and Indian pudding are all on the menu-yum! First, everyone gives thanks, and then it’s time to eat and celebrate. The simple, rhythmic text and autumn-colored illustrations are just right for sharing the history and fun of Thanksgiving with young children.

 

Amelia Bedelia Talks Turkey (PreK-3)

When Amelia Bedelia helps out with the school Thanksgiving play, she causes quite a scene. Let’s all give thanks for another funny new Amelia Bedelia story!

 

A Turkey for Thanksgiving (PreK-3)

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.

 

Fancy Nancy: Our Thanksgiving Banquet (PreK-3)

This is going to be the best Thanksgiving ever!

There is a gigantic turkey, Grandma’s secret stuffing, green beans, and authentic cranberry sauce, the kind that doesn’t come out of a can. And desserts? There are almost too many to count.

Join Nancy and her entire family as they celebrate Thanksgiving in this brand-new storybook, complete with more than thirty swanky stickers.

 

The Berenstain Bears: Thanksgiving All Around (PreK-3)

Young readers will experience the joys of fall in Bear Country with this brand-new Berenstain Bears storybook. A lift-the-flap format invites children to discover fall foliage, red apples, round pumpkins, and of course, a fine turkey alongside the beloved Bear family. In this exciting addition to the classic New York Times bestselling Berenstain property, Thanksgiving really is all around!

 

I Spy Thanksgiving (PreK-2)

A Thanksgiving search-and-find I Spy reader!

All new, easy-to-read riddles by Jean Marzollo are paired with Walter Wick’s fun photographs culled from previously published I Spy books to create this I Spy easy reader that’s perfect for Thanksgiving!

 

A Plump And Perky Turkey (Grades 1 to 3)

Turkeys around Squawk Valley just don’t jump into pots anymore—they are way too smart for that. So the townspeople hatch a clever plan. They host a turkey-themed arts and crafts fair and lure a vain bird into town by advertising for an artist’s model. Peter the Turkey, proud of his well-stuffed form, takes the bait but doesn’t fall for the trap.

 

The Best Thanksgiving Ever! (PreK-3)

A sweet story about the importance of family, being thankful, and love–as told by a family of turkeys, with a hilarious surprise at the end!

“It’s late in November, the blue sky is clear,
and Thanksgiving Day is finally here.
So many hugs and so many kisses.
So many ‘Happy Thanksgiving’ wishes.”

A family gathers to celebrate all that they’re grateful for. But wait, there’s a twist! This funny, rhyming read-aloud story features turkeys who celebrate Thanksgiving! The Turkey clan arrives from all over the world, excited for their annual feast. But what will they eat?

It turns out everyone is thankful . . . for Thanksgiving corn!

 

It’s Thanksgiving! (PreK-3)

It’s time for turkey! The parade is about to start. The pumpkin pie is in the oven. The whole family is gathered around the table. And everybody wants to pull the wishbone! From Children’s Poet Laureate Jack Prelutsky comes a scrumptious helping of twelve Thanksgiving poems to enjoy every day of the year!

 

Arthur’s Thanksgiving (PreK-1)

Arthur has been picked to direct his school’s Thanksgiving play-and cast the roles. But all his friends want to be star, and no one wants to play the Turkey! What will Arthur do?

 

Run, Turkey, Run! (PreK-up)

Thanksgiving is only a day away. Can Turkey find a place to hide from the farmer searching for a plump bird for his feast? If the farmer doesn’t fall for his tricks, there’s only one think left to do . . . run, Turkey, run!

 

Franklin’s Thanksgiving (PreK-3)

In this Franklin Classic Storybook, our young hero likes everything about Thanksgiving, from eating pumpkin-fly pie to making cornucopias. But what he likes best is having his Grandma and Grandpa share the holiday with him and his family. This year, however, his grandparents are traveling abroad. Thanksgiving just won’t be the same without guests around the table, so Franklin decides to invite some friends for dinner.

What a nice surprise it will be for his parents. Only Franklin’s mother and father have the same idea, and on Thanksgiving Day all their friends show up for the festivities! With no more room in the house, where will the holiday meal take place?

 

Thanksgiving Is Here! (PreK-3)

As soon as Maggie’s grandma and grandpa get the turkey in the oven, bright and early on Thanksgiving morning, the guests arrive and the commotion begins: glamorous aunts, crying babies, acrobatic cousins, strange dogs, mysterious gifts, romance, friendships, “yackety-yak”ing and, of course, lots of wonderful food and fun.

 

Scooby-Doo and the Thanksgiving Terror (PreK-3)

It’s the grooviest Thanksgiving ever with Scooby and the gang!

Happy Thanksgiving Scooby-Doo!

Scooby and the gang are at it again in this Thanksgiving thriller. When a float in the Coolsville Parade comes to life, it’s up to the Mystery, Inc. to catch the culprit. Will they be able to before they get stuffed?

 

Katie Saves Thanksgiving (Katie Woo) (Grades 1 & 2)

Pedro’s and JoJo’s families are on their way to Katie’s house for Thanksgiving dinner. But they get stuck in a snowstorm, and the Woos’ oven suddenly breaks. Katie wonders what kind of Thanksgiving it will be without sweet potatoes, pie, and most of all, friends.