Finding ways to keep students engaged and learning during the busy holiday season can be a challenge. These Thanksgiving books for kids make it easy to bring seasonal fun into your classroom or home while still building literacy and sparking meaningful discussions about gratitude and kindness.
Thanksgiving and Turkey Books Galore
Thanksgiving is the perfect time to slow down and share stories about gratitude, kindness, and family with your students. Whether you’re planning a cozy home or classroom read-aloud or looking for the perfect book to pair with a fall activity, this list of Thanksgiving books for kids has you covered.
From silly turkey adventures to heartwarming tales of thankfulness, these titles will help your students reflect on what it means to be grateful while enjoying the fun and excitement of the holiday season.
Table of Contents
- Thanksgiving and Turkey Books Galore
- Top Thanksgiving Books for the Classroom or Homeschool
- Balloons Over Broadway by Melissa Sweet
- Turkey Trouble by Wendi Silvano
- How to Catch a Turkey by Adam Wallace & Andy Elkerton
- I am Thankful: A Thanksgiving Book for Kids by Sheri Wall
- A Turkey for Thanksgiving by Eve Bunting
- 10 Fat Turkeys by Tony Johnston
- Turkey Goes to School by Wendi Silvano
- Run Turkey Run! by Diane Mayr
- Thankful by Elaine Vickers
- The First Thanksgiving: A Counting Story by Jean Marzollo
- Turk & Runt by Lisa Wheeler
- Pete the Cat: The First Thanksgiving by Kimberly & James Dean
- The Night Before Thanksgiving by Natasha Wing
- Never Ever Tickle a Turkey by Adam Wallace
- Bad Kitty Does Not Like Thanksgiving by Nick Bruel
- A Plump & Perky Turkey by Teresa Bateman
- Franklin’s Thanksgiving by Paulette Bourgeois
- Activities to Pair with Thanksgiving Books
- Resources to Help You Teach During November
- More Fall Activities to Try!
Top Thanksgiving Books for the Classroom or Homeschool
Here are 17 of the best Thanksgiving books for kids, with some great ideas to extend the turkey activities.
Balloons Over Broadway by Melissa Sweet
This beautifully illustrated story shares how Tony Sarg created the famous Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons. It’s full of creativity and problem-solving! After reading, ask students what kind of balloon they’d design for the parade; they’ll love sketching their ideas.
Turkey Trouble by Wendi Silvano
Turkey doesn’t want to end up as dinner, so he disguises himself as different farm animals to stay safe. Kids love the silly twists! Ask your students which disguise they think would work best, or challenge them to design their own.
How to Catch a Turkey by Adam Wallace & Andy Elkerton
This rhyming story follows a group trying (and failing) to catch a runaway turkey through the school halls. It’s fast, funny, and full of action. After reading, have students brainstorm their own “turkey trap” ideas. You’ll get some creative (and hilarious) engineering proposals!
I am Thankful: A Thanksgiving Book for Kids by Sheri Wall
A sweet and simple story about gratitude, family, and noticing small blessings in everyday life. Use it to start a gratitude circle and have everyone share one thing they’re thankful for: big or small.
A Turkey for Thanksgiving by Eve Bunting
Mrs. Moose wants a turkey for Thanksgiving, but not to eat! This heartwarming story has a fun twist that kids don’t see coming. It’s a great way to talk about kindness and making others feel welcome.
10 Fat Turkeys by Tony Johnston
A silly, rhyming counting story where turkeys keep getting into goofy situations, and falling off the fence one by one! Have students predict what will happen next or act it out for some extra laughs.
Turkey Goes to School by Wendi Silvano
Turkey decides to visit the school, but things don’t go quite as planned. Students will laugh at all the trouble he gets into! Comparing Turkey’s day to a typical school day is a fun way for students to connect to their own experiences.
Run Turkey Run! by Diane Mayr
Turkey’s on the run, trying to hide from the farmer, and he’ll stop at nothing to stay safe! Ask your class where they think Turkey should hide next, or turn it into a short creative writing prompt.
Thankful by Elaine Vickers
A calm, poetic story that reminds kids how gratitude can be found in everyday moments. Follow it up with a “thankful chain” or a simple writing activity where students share what makes them feel grateful.
The First Thanksgiving: A Counting Story by Jean Marzollo
A simple way to introduce young readers to the first Thanksgiving while practicing counting skills. It’s a nice mix of literacy and history for November.
Turk & Runt by Lisa Wheeler
Two turkey brothers couldn’t be more different. Turk is proud, and Runt is cautious. But Runt may be the one who saves the day! It’s an easy way to spark conversations about teamwork and listening to others.
Pete the Cat: The First Thanksgiving by Kimberly & James Dean
Pete puts on a Thanksgiving play at school and learns all about the holiday’s history. After reading, let students share what they’ve learned or create their own mini classroom play just like Pete.
The Night Before Thanksgiving by Natasha Wing
This rhyming story captures all the excitement (and chaos!) the night before Thanksgiving. Ask students to share what their families do to get ready for the big day. It’s always fun to hear their traditions.
Never Ever Tickle a Turkey by Adam Wallace
A silly, giggle-filled story about what happens when you can’t resist tickling a turkey. It’s perfect for predicting what might happen next, and guaranteed to get some laughs.
Bad Kitty Does Not Like Thanksgiving by Nick Bruel
Bad Kitty is cranky about Thanksgiving until she learns what the holiday is really about. It’s a fun way to talk about emotions and how understanding can change how we feel.
A Plump & Perky Turkey by Teresa Bateman
When the townspeople can’t find a turkey for their holiday feast, they lure one in with a “turkey-themed art show.” Spoiler: the turkey has plans of his own! Kids love retelling this story or imagining a new ending.
Franklin’s Thanksgiving by Paulette Bourgeois
Franklin worries his friends can’t come for Thanksgiving, but he soon learns that being together is what matters most. This gentle story will spark conversations about gratitude and friendship.
Activities to Pair with Thanksgiving Books
Turkey Disguise Craft
Book Pairing: Turkey Trouble by Wendi Silvano
After reading about Turkey’s clever disguises, students can create their own paper turkey disguise and write about the steps they’d take to hide it. This hands-on activity reinforces problem-solving and creativity in a way kids really connect with.
“I’m So Thankful” Turkey Craft
Book Pairing: I Am Thankful: A Thanksgiving Book for Kids by Sheri Wall
This gratitude craft is the perfect follow-up to the story’s message about noticing everyday blessings. Students can fill each feather with a person, place, memory, food, or thing they are thankful for, making it a meaningful keepsake for the season.
“If I Were a Turkey” Writing Activity
Book Pairing: Run, Turkey, Run! by Diane Mayr
After following Turkey on his big escape, students can imagine themselves in his shoes. This writing and craft activity lets kids describe where they’d hide, their adventures, and how they’d outsmart the farmer. It’s great for creative thinking and narrative writing.
Thanksgiving Charades
Book Pairing: Balloons Over Broadway by Melissa Sweet
Bring the parade to life with a fun movement-based activity! Students can act out Thanksgiving- or parade-themed actions, like marching, cooking, cheering, or holding a giant balloon.
“On the Thanksgiving Table I Saw…” Writing Activity
Book Pairing: The Night Before Thanksgiving by Natasha Wing
Inspired by the chaos and excitement of the story, students can write about the foods they see on their own Thanksgiving tables and illustrate them. It’s a simple but engaging way to connect personal experiences to literature and build descriptive writing skills.
Resources to Help You Teach During November
Free Thanksgiving & Turkey Writing Prompts & Comic
Try these Turkey Freebies in your classroom! They’re part of the Thanksgiving Fun pack, letting kids show off their creativity.
Click the image below to grab a copy.
Make Thanksgiving Fun with the Thanksgiving Fun Pack!
Try the Thanksgiving Fun Pack by Proud to be Primary. It includes:
- Thanksgiving bulletin board & posters
- Thanksgiving Vocabulary cards & sheets
- Thanksgiving Writing prompts, paper, & activities
- Gratitude journal & writing templates
- Turkey & Thanksgiving Table Placemat writing prompts
- Thanksgiving poem and activities
- Literacy activities – book report & story organizer
- Reading challenge & bookmarks
- “How to Catch a Turkey” & “Turkey Disguise” book companion activities
- 10 Math worksheets (addition, subtraction, numbers, graphing, patterning)
- Marshmallow math measurement activity
- Science Experiment (Dancing Corn)
- STEM (Making Butter)
- Thanksgiving Crown
- Thankful Turkey Craft
- 5 Thanksgiving Games: Board Game, Charades, Bingo, Action card game, Would You Rather…
- Turkey Directed Drawing
- 15-page Thanksgiving Activity Fun packet with color by number, crossword puzzle, word search, coloring page, ABC order, and more.
There’s everything you need to celebrate fall and Turkey Day this school year!
More Fall Activities to Try!
thanksgiving classroom activities and worksheets
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