Thanksgiving Books for Toddlers and Preschoolers
Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. There’s nothing better than sitting down with family to share a homecooked meal without any expectation for gift-giving. As an adult, I see the problems with the way America has celebrated the holiday in the past (e.g. why is my preschooler expected to make an “Indian vest” in 2022?). I am making a conscious effort to incorporate some of the traditions from my childhood with new traditions to pass along to my children. It’s important to acknowledge the part of the Thanksgiving story that is often left untold. My children encourage me to do better. I’m constantly learning so that I can share that knowledge with them and hopefully set them up to be well-versed in other cultures. For Thanksgiving, I want to share stories about friendship, gratitude, and the power of community. These books celebrate all the festive traditions I love from carving the turkey to watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade.
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Around the Table That Grandad Built by Melanie Heuiser Hill and Jaime Kim
My First Thanksgiving by Tomie dePaola
Duck for Turkey Day by Jacqueline Jules and Kathryn Mitter
Apple Cake: A Gratitude by Dawn Casey
Five Little Thank-Yous by Cindy Jin
Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story by Kevin Noble Maillard and Juana Martinez-Neal
There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Turkey! by Lucille Colandro
You’re My Little Pumpkin Pie by Natalie Marshall
This Little Turkey by Aly Fronis
Thankful by Eileen Spinelli
Balloons over Broadway by Melissa Sweet
T is for Thankful by Greg Paprocki