4 Thanksgiving book recommendations for children ages 3–14

Is there anything better than sitting down with your child for story time after a long work day, or hearing what they’ve been grateful for recently? We didn’t think so either! That’s why we’re sharing these 4 thought-provoking Thanksgiving reads families will want to add to their October story time queue:

1. The Thankful Book
Written and illustrated by Todd Parr

This New York Times best-selling author wrote The Thankful Book with children ages 3–6 in mind. With a keen understanding of how children think, Parr creates the perfect story line that helps children learn what it means to be thankful and how to express it — all while celebrating diversity through his illustrations. You’ll be thankful you read The Thankful Book when you and your child have a new understanding of gratitude, developed through Parr’s intriguing characters.

2. A Turkey for Thanksgiving
Written by Eve Bunting, illustrated by Diane deGroat

When all of Mr. and Mrs. Moose’s dinner guests arrive to Thanksgiving Dinner and realize that Turkey is nowhere to be found, the entire party sets out to find the terrified bird. They find him quaking with fear; poor Turkey doesn’t realize that Mr. and Mrs. Moose want him at the dinner table, not on it. Upon Turkey’s arrival at the Moose residence, he is pleasantly surprised to learn that he was wanted as a guest and not the main course.

A Turkey for Thanksgiving teaches kids a multitude of lessons including teamwork, kindness, friendship, and most importantly, the importance of choosing our words wisely.

3. Duck for Turkey Day
Written by Jacqueline Jules, illustrated by Katerine Mitter

Excited about a break from school and the traditional turkey meal she’s heard so much about, Tuyet is shocked and upset to learn that her Vietnamese-American Family won’t be having turkey on Turkey Day. Although she ends up enjoying her delicious Thanksgiving dinner, Tuyet is still self-conscious about what her classmates might think or say when she returns to school. It turns out that many of her classmates didn’t have turkey either and Tuyet quickly realizes that there’s no “wrong way” to celebrate Thanksgiving.

Duck for Turkey Day is a great book for children ages 6–8. It reminds us all that it doesn’t matter what you eat on Turkey Day, as long as everyone enjoys each other’s company.

4. 1621: A New Look at Thanksgiving
Written by Catherine O’Neill Grace and Margaret M. Bruchac, illustrated by Cotton Coulson

Good for children ages 8–14, 1621: A New Look at Thanksgiving is a lushly illustrated photo-essay that presents a more balanced and historically accurate version of the three-day harvest celebration that first took place in 1621. It gives readers more insight on how the First Thanksgiving unraveled, putting the popular myth of how Thanksgiving came to be aside and recovering the lost voices of the Wampanoag people. Diving deep into history, 1621: A New Look at Thanksgiving is the perfect way to introduce older kids to the truth behind Thanksgiving — one that gives them even more to be thankful for on the big day.

From our YMCA family to yours, we want to wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving! A friendly reminder that all of our child care centres will be closed on Monday, October 14, 2019 to observe the holiday. Please make alternate arrangements for your child if required.