Celebrating Holidays Through Literature - Thanksgiving Books 2018 • Capturing Parenthood

“There are lots of things to be thankful for. Try to remember some of them every day!”

– The Thankful Book by Todd Parr

It’s the time of year when we get together with our family and friends, enjoy fabulous feasts, and share the things that make us truly grateful. In our home, we try to share our gratitude every day. Some days we’re thankful for snowfall and hot chocolate…some days we’re thankful for trips to the trampoline park, or an extra story at bedtime…and some days we’re thankful for sleep-overs at Grandma and Grandpa’s house!

There is always something to be thankful for. Teaching our little nugget about gratitude and thankfulness is very important to us. And one of our favorite ways to introduce different concepts is through literature. So, we wanted to share all of the Thanksgiving books that we are thankful for this year!

Our Favorite Thanksgiving Books (2018)

Thankful by Eileen Spinelli
- This cute story shows us just how easy it is to be thankful every single day. “The poet is thankful for words that rhyme. The children, for morning story time.” We do not need to have big, elaborate things to be thankful for…in fact, it’s usually the small things that make us feel the very best. What are your kiddos thankful for today?
The Great Thanksgiving Escape by Mark Fearing
- Did you dislike big holiday get-togethers when you were younger? Being stuck at the children’s table? Having your cheeks pinched relentlessly by various relatives? If so, you’re bound to love this silly story about two kids trying desperately to escape Grandma’s house, in an attempt to find fun and freedom on the swing set in the backyard. But first, they have to get past vicious guard dogs, the hall of aunts, zombies (teenagers) in the basement, and more! Will they make it? You’ll have to read it to find out! We’ve read this story almost a million times already…it is by far and away our little nugget’s favorite Thanksgiving book this year. 🙂
Ugly Pie by Lisa Wheeler
- Bear is “just itchin’ – truly itchin’ – for some Ugly Pie.” But the only ugly thing in his kitchen is some sweet molasses. So, Bear takes a stroll and finds that his family and friends have all made pies of their own…but no one has made an Ugly Pie. At each of his stops, Bear is given an ugly item from the homeowner’s kitchen (wrinkled red raisins, sour green apples, and bumpy brown walnuts). Upon his return home, Bear realizes that he now has an abundance of ugly ingredients…and he sets out to make the pie that he’s been hankering for all day. And who better to share such a delicious Ugly Pie with, than the friends and family that helped make it all possible?
Thank You, Thanksgiving by David Milgrim
- A little girl is elated when her mother sends her on a very important post-Thanksgiving dinner errand. Along the way, she takes the time to say thank you to everything that she is grateful for – from her warm winter boots, to the pretty clouds in the sky. Soon, she is back home with a carton full of whipping cream, and her family sits down to enjoy their favorite Thanksgiving dessert.
The Thankful Book by Todd Parr
- We love all of Todd Parr’s colorful and creative books – they always provide such a wonderful message! While we tend to focus more on thankfulness during this time of year, it’s important to share gratitude on a daily basis. There are so many things that we can be thankful for, and Todd does a wonderful job of highlighting a few (pets, music, vacations, family) while also encouraging readers to brainstorm even more!
How to Catch a Turkey by Adam Wallace
- By the end of this year we should know how to catch just about everything, thanks to Adam Wallace’s adventurous books. We’ve learned how to catch a leprechaun, an Easter bunny, a monster…and we’ve recently learned how to catch a turkey. 🙂 When a turkey succumbs to a bad case of stage fright during the Thanksgiving play, he gives chase through the entire school. He knocks over beakers as he blazes through the science lab, gobbles his way through goopy mashed potatoes in the cafeteria, meanders through a maze of books in the library, and narrowly escapes the jungle gym…only to find himself standing in the spotlight in front of the bright red curtain. Will he freeze? Or will he put on the performance of his life?
‘Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving by Dav Pilkey
- On the day before Thanksgiving, a group of students embark on a field trip to a turkey farm…where they meet Farmer Mack Nuggett and his eight chubby turkeys. The children and turkeys become fast friends…giggling and gobbling throughout the barnyard. It’s a magical day…until someone finds an axe by the door and asks Farmer Nuggett what it’s for. The children’s eyes fill with tears as the farmer shares each turkey’s fate. Will these turkeys become the centerpiece of Thanksgiving feasts? When the children board the school bus at the end of the day, they are all mysteriously fatter. Perhaps those lucky turkeys will live to see another day.
Llama Llama Gives Thanks by Anna Dewdney
- Llama Llama is celebrating Thanksgiving with his family and friends. And that means yummy treats, falling leaves, and giving thanks for those we love the most.