Does it feel like it's time for Thanksgiving at your house? It sure does at mine. Even in sunny SoCal, I notice a chill breeze sneaking in at sundown, and a few leaves are turning brown in the neighborhood. This year, Thanksgiving is running exceptionally late! I'm grateful for that, because it gives me time to suggest a few books for your family this Thanksgiving!
Other holidays provide distraction in the form of candy, presents, or fireworks...but Thanksgiving is literally all about family and home and snuggling in with those you love - how could there be a more perfect setting for reading some wonderful books? It's always hard to know "what age" a book is for - but the truly magical thing about holiday books is that they are the "one-size-fits-almost-all" of books. I like to keep a stack of picture books and early reader books around on the holidays, and I am always surprised to see who picks them up!
Other holidays provide distraction in the form of candy, presents, or fireworks...but Thanksgiving is literally all about family and home and snuggling in with those you love - how could there be a more perfect setting for reading some wonderful books? It's always hard to know "what age" a book is for - but the truly magical thing about holiday books is that they are the "one-size-fits-almost-all" of books. I like to keep a stack of picture books and early reader books around on the holidays, and I am always surprised to see who picks them up!
I'll suggest some of my favorite picture books and such in just a moment...but first!! First, I have to recommend this family favorite: Over the River and Through the Woods, a Thanksgiving Poem by Lydia Maria Child. I like this particular version for two very important reasons: first, the woodcut illustrations by Christopher Manson are just old-fashioned enough to be charming, yet crisp and beautiful on their own; second, the music for the song is on the inside back cover so you can teach your children the melody and they they can SING the book as you go. This is a tradition that I promise makes sweet memories! The music is quite easy, as well. You may even have a piano student among your kids capable of playing it.
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Okay, now down to the serious business of Thanksgiving picture books! We have such favorites, and have loved so many wonderful Thanksgiving books, that it is truly difficult to narrow down to just a few. We have tried to cull from the best of "first Thanksgiving" plus fun, family, and faith - see what you think!
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A simple, yet not overly juvenile, retelling of the basic first Thanksgiving story. It tells of the Mayflower voyage, and the troubles of that first year - but without a lot of detail that might be too much for little ones. The illustrations are lovely and quite engaging!
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To be honest? THIS is my favorite "First Thanksgiving" children's book. Why? Because the hero is shown to be neither Native nor Pilgrim...but God, who orchestrated it all and brought them together. If I had to choose only one, this would be it, hands down. Definitely told from a perspective of faith, but neither heavy-handed nor preachy. Really lovely message all around.
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This books is full of trivia and facts, and honestly we have not so much "read" it as "USED" it. I love to have it out on the coffee table during the Thanksgiving week, and we look at facts, interesting sidenotes of history, and the little details that get lost after 400 years! A family favorite, I probably should get a new one, since the cover is falling off of our oft-repaired volume!
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It is a particularly ambitious undertaking, in my view, to try to cover so much ground in a children's book, but if any author could pull all of this together, it would be Newbury medalist Jean Craighead George - and she does! With simply stunning illustrations by Thomas Locker, George pulls together the natural history of the area (Note: there is a geological reference to a multi-million year formation), then tells of the the coming of the Pilgrims, the meeting with the Native Americans, and the wonder of the Thanksgiving Celebration.
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Of course, we also have a list of favorite FUN Thanksgiving books that focus on family, and fun, and turkeys, and, well, THANKSGIVING...in all its autumn wonder!
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Forgiveness, not judging, being thankful and generous, all wrapped up in a wonderful recipe for Cranberry Bread!
Grandma loves to invite people to Thanksgiving...but NOT Mr. Whiskers!! ANYBODY, but not HIM! ;) This has been one of my family favorites for years. |
The true story of an upstate New York family's tradition of Thanksgiving in the Woods is the basis for this sweet, poetically told tale of friendship, family, and faith. The illustrations are the perfect accompaniment to this warm little story of Thanksgivings spent in good, thankful company!
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"Sharing the Bread" is the poetic telling of a family coming together to prepare and share Thanksgiving. Each member of the family contributes to the making of the feast. It is homey and warm in the telling, and the rhythm of the poetry will soon have your little ones telling the story to you! I have heard that some families use the poem to help inspire their children to begin to take a part in preparing for celebrations - always a great idea!
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Sarah Josepha Hale spent 38 years trying to convince American presidents to make Thanksgiving a national holiday! Laurie Halse Anderson has taken this little-known chapter of American history and this little-known woman-who-moved-a-president and created a fun and informative book for the whole family to enjoy. (And, if Sarah's name sounds familiar? She was the first woman editor of a magazine, and she also was responsible for the creation of the Bunker Hill monument. Oh, and she wrote "Mary Had a Little Lamb"! )
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Mr. Turkey, as you can imagine, is not thrilled to be invited over for Thanksgiving! Your children will be delighted as you read this charming tale with a VERY happy ending for Mr. Turkey!
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The true story of the Macy's Day Parade puppeteer, with lots of giggles to be had in the illustrations. We think this is a perfect Thanksgiving-Eve book, especially if you plan to be up early to catch the parade!
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Karma Wilson is one of my favorite children's authors. She just has a way of making a few words say so much. In this lovely book, she uses her award-winning rhymes to convey the simple thanks of a little boy for all that is around him. The words are based around Psalm 92 and it is just...lovely. This is one of those I will save for the someday-grandkids!
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Mary is newly immigrated to America, and she just wants to go back home. Her father tells her the inspiring story of the Pilgrims and the Five Kernels of Corn to remind her of the importance of gratitude, and to inspire her to realize her blessings! I love this book for the historical connection and the way it ties our faith to thankfulness.
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Aren't those just the BEST? I hope you see some of your favorites listed, and I hope you have found a few new books to try out as well! Now. What about those of us who are a little older? We need some lovely prods to thankfulness as well, right? Here are few books I have enjoyed and found to be especially meaningful during Thanksgiving - I hope you will too!
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If you are a history buff, or perhaps have just been confused as to what to think as our society re-thinks its history, this book is a quiet, thoughtful, look back that will inspire and encourage you. Tracey McKenzie is an experienced historian who tackles the evidence with a sure compass for truth in his heart. He has written a call to us to both treasure our beginnings and to think Christianly about them. I predict this book will be a treasure on your bookshelf!
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Why is it that November calls out Little Women to me? Jo's birthday, I suppose (and mine!), but in case you would rather not tackle that classic right now...how about Louisa Alcott's little-known Thanksgiving short story? An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving is short, sweet, and full of fun. I wish the 1974 illustrated version (illustrations by Holly Johnson) was still available - you might check Abe books, thriftbooks, and ebay just to see! - because the illustrations are just so charming and make this short story into an excellent picture book for the littles!
Now that your whistle is whetted for all-things-Alcott, the Little Women Cookbook will satiate your Thanksgiving hunger with recipes for plum pudding, blancmange, and so many other delights - PLUS delightful sleuthery into some of the strange mentionings in the books! From Hannah's breakfasts to Mr. Baer's cookies, to the March family main meals, you will find something to love! I won't be surprised to hear the Jo's Gingerbread graced several Thanksgiving tables this fall! |
Samuel Morison, an expert historian on everything Pilgrims, has in this book made the original William Bradford journal "Of Plimoth Plantation" more accessible and meaningful for those of us now 400 years removed from his writings. While I treasure the original, Morison's modernization of spelling and explanation of some of the historical and archaic usages brings this classic to life for modern readers. This 1952 publication has become something of a classic itself, and is worthy of your consideration this Thanksgiving!
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I have come to appreciate this poem/prayer book as a stimulus to gratitude and thanks in my life. It seems appropriate to list it here, though it isn't strictly about or themed for this holiday. Rather, it is about making EVERY day a holy-day of thanks and profound gratitude. Take a peek, and let me know if you, too, find a new favorite! Rumblings in the publishing world say that author Douglas Kaine McElvey has completed a second volume as well!
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I always struggle to END these book recommendation posts, because there are so many more books that are simply wonderful and waiting to be read! I apologize if I have left off one of your favorites, but invite you to recommend it yourself in the comments.
Now, from my home to yours, best wishes for the blessing of a warm home, time with loved ones, and the grace of gratitude.
Noli Timere,
Now, from my home to yours, best wishes for the blessing of a warm home, time with loved ones, and the grace of gratitude.
Noli Timere,
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Miska with his favorite Thanksgiving book! :D
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