Thanksgiving is the perfect time to connect with kids through stories that celebrate gratitude, family, and tradition. But with so many options, how do you pick the right book for your child’s age and interests? Whether you’re a parent searching for a cozy bedtime read, a teacher planning classroom activities, or a caregiver looking to spark meaningful conversations, this guide has you covered.
We’ve handpicked 10 top Thanksgiving books for kids in 2025, tailored to ages 3-5, preschool, kindergarten, and grades 1-2—plus tips to make reading interactive and fun. Let’s dive in!
List of Thanksgiving Books for Kids
You want the best Thanksgiving books for kids this year, right? Here is a table that helps you compare choices. You will see new books and old favorites. Every reader can find something special here. These books come from trusted places, like Epic’s Thanksgiving Collection and other loved titles.
| Title | Author | Summary | Age Range | Why It’s a Standout for 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Great Turkey Heist | Gertrude Chandler Warner | The Boxcar Children solve a Thanksgiving mystery in their town. | 7-10 | Kids enjoy the adventure and teamwork. It teaches gratitude and problem-solving in a fun way. |
| Let’s Celebrate: Thanksgiving Day | Barbara deRubertis | This nonfiction book explains Thanksgiving traditions and history simply. | 5-8 | Great for curious kids who want to learn why we celebrate. The bright pictures keep everyone interested. |
| Balloons Over Broadway | Melissa Sweet | Tony Sarg made the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade puppets. | 6-9 | This book inspires creativity. It shows how one person’s ideas can make many people happy. |
| Turkey Trouble | Wendi Silvano | A smart turkey tries to hide by wearing funny costumes. | 4-8 | Kids laugh at the silly disguises and hope the turkey wins. It is perfect for reading with family. |
| Thank You, Sarah: The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving | Laurie Halse Anderson | Sarah Hale helped make Thanksgiving a national holiday. | 6-9 | This story shows how one person can change things. It inspires kids to stand up for what they believe. |
| Pete the Cat: The First Thanksgiving | James Dean & Kimberly Dean | Pete the Cat acts in a school play about the first Thanksgiving. | 4-8 | Pete’s cool style and fun songs make history exciting. |
| The Very Stuffed Turkey | Katharine Kenah | A friendly turkey visits five homes for Thanksgiving dinner. | 4-8 | This book teaches about friendship and sharing. The story is sweet and easy to understand. |
| Thanksgiving in the Woods | Phyllis Alsdurf | Family and friends eat a special Thanksgiving meal in the woods. | 5-8 | The cozy setting and gentle story make it great for bedtime. |
| Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story | Kevin Noble Maillard | A Native American family celebrates togetherness and tradition with fry bread. | 4-8 | This book shows diversity and the importance of family. The beautiful pictures make you want to read more. |
| The Berenstain Bears Give Thanks | Mike Berenstain | The Bear family learns about gratitude and Thanksgiving’s meaning. | 3-7 | Simple lessons about thankfulness. It is perfect for young readers and fans of the series. |
Tip: You can find many of these thanksgiving books for kids in print and digital formats. If you want a safe and picked selection, look at Epic’s Thanksgiving Collection for more good choices.
Thanksgiving books for kids help you talk about gratitude, family, and tradition. You can choose a story your child likes or try something new together. If you enjoy silly stories or real-life heroes, there is a book here for every reader.
How to Choose the Thanksgiving Books for Kids
Age Appropriateness
It is important to pick books for the right age. Check the age range for each book. Picture books have simple words and bright pictures. These are good for younger kids. Older kids like chapter books with more details. If you have kids of different ages, choose books for all ages. You can look at what the publisher suggests. Ask your child what feels best for them. Reading together helps you see if a book is too easy or hard.
Tip: Epic’s Thanksgiving Collection gives age suggestions for every book. This helps you find the right book quickly and safely.
Themes of Gratitude and Family
Thanksgiving is about being thankful and spending time together. When you pick thanksgiving books for kids, look for stories about gratitude and family traditions. These books help kids learn what Thanksgiving means. Some stories show helping others or saying thank you. Others show families and friends celebrating together. These books start good talks about your own family’s traditions.
- Stories about gratitude help kids value what they have.
- Books about family show why being together matters.
- Some stories use jokes to teach lessons and make reading fun.
If you want kids to be kind, pick books where characters help each other or solve problems as a team.
Educational Value
Thanksgiving books can be fun and teach new things. Some books tell about how Thanksgiving began. Others show traditions from different cultures. Nonfiction books give facts in simple ways. Some books have activities, recipes, or crafts for the holiday. These extras keep kids interested and help them learn new skills.
| Type of Educational Value | Example |
|---|---|
| History | Stories about the first Thanksgiving |
| Culture | Books showing different family traditions |
| Activities | Titles with recipes or crafts |
Reading educational books helps kids learn new words and facts. Epic’s Thanksgiving Collection has many books that mix learning and fun.
Picking the right books means your child enjoys reading and learns lessons that last after Thanksgiving.
Engaging Illustrations
When you choose thanksgiving books for kids, pictures matter a lot. Kids enjoy pages with bright colors and fun characters. Pictures help kids know what is happening in the story. This is helpful for kids who are learning to read. Sometimes, your child will look at a book just to see the pictures. If they do this, it means the artwork is working well.
Pictures do more than make the book look nice. They show feelings and set the mood. You might see a turkey in a funny costume or a family eating together. These pictures help kids picture the story in their minds. Sometimes, a picture explains things better than words. If your child does not know a word, they can look at the picture and guess what happens next.
Here are some ways good illustrations help your child enjoy reading:
- Boost Comprehension: Pictures show what is going on. Kids can follow the story even if they miss some words.
- Spark Imagination: Bright colors and cool scenes make kids want to read more. They may even draw their own Thanksgiving pictures.
- Encourage Discussion: You can ask your child about the pictures. Ask, “How does the turkey feel?” or “What do you see on the table?”
- Support Different Learning Styles: Some kids learn best by looking. Pictures help these kids connect with the story.
Tip: If you want books with great pictures, try Epic’s Thanksgiving Collection. You will find stories with colorful artwork that keeps kids interested and happy to read.
Let’s see what makes illustrations special in Thanksgiving books:
| Illustration Feature | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Bright Colors | Gets attention and makes the mood happy |
| Expressive Faces | Shows feelings and helps kids understand characters |
| Detailed Scenes | Gives hints about traditions and places |
| Action Shots | Makes the story exciting and easy to follow |
You can use pictures to talk with your child. Ask them to show their favorite part of the picture. Maybe they see something you did not notice. This makes reading something you do together.
Epic’s Thanksgiving Collection has books with good pictures for every age. You can pick a picture book or a chapter book with some art. There is something for every child’s taste. You can trust these books are chosen for their great pictures and fun stories.
If you want your child to enjoy reading, pick books with pictures that grab their attention. You will see them smile, laugh, and ask for more stories. That is the magic of good illustrations.
How to Make the Thanksgiving Reading Special
Family Read-Alouds
Reading together makes Thanksgiving stories feel special. You can sit with your family in the living room. Pick a comfy spot and take turns reading out loud. Kids enjoy hearing different voices for each character. You can use funny voices or sound effects to make it fun.
Try these ideas for a great family read-aloud: Let everyone pick a book or a chapter. Stop sometimes and ask questions about the story. Talk about your own family’s Thanksgiving traditions after you finish reading. Bring snacks or hot chocolate to make it even cozier.
Tip: If you have younger kids, let them hold the book and turn the pages. This helps them feel part of the group and excited to read.
Classroom Activities
Thanksgiving books can help teachers plan fun classroom activities. Teachers can use stories to talk about gratitude, history, or family. You can read a book together, then ask students to draw their favorite part or write a thank-you note from a character’s view.
Here are some classroom ideas: Make crafts like turkey hats or gratitude trees from the story. Have group talks and ask what students would do if they were in the story. Act out scenes from the book using simple props. Let small groups read different books and share what they learned.
A table can help you organize your activities:
| Activity Type | Example Idea |
|---|---|
| Craft | Make a paper plate turkey |
| Writing | Create a gratitude journal |
| Drama | Act out a Thanksgiving scene |
Creating Traditions
You can start a new tradition by reading thanksgiving books for kids every year. Pick a favorite story and read it together before dinner. Some families add a new book to their collection each Thanksgiving. You might even write your own family story and read it out loud.
Ways to make traditions last: Start a “Thankful Book Basket” and let kids pick a story each night in November. Share a book with relatives who live far away by reading together on a video call. Keep a family journal where everyone writes what they are thankful for after reading.
Reading together makes Thanksgiving more special. You make memories, share laughs, and learn about gratitude as a family.
The Best Thanksgiving Books Collection
What’s Included
It is easy to pick books from Epic’s Thanksgiving Collection. There are stories for every age group. You will see picture books with bright drawings. Older kids can read chapter books. Nonfiction books explain Thanksgiving traditions. Some stories teach about gratitude. Others show families getting together or funny turkey adventures. You can choose books about real heroes or silly animals. The collection also has interactive books with activities and recipes for the holiday.
Here’s a quick look at what you get:
| Type of Book | Example Title | Age Group |
|---|---|---|
| Picture Book | The Very Stuffed Turkey | 4-8 |
| Chapter Book | The Great Turkey Heist | 7-10 |
| Nonfiction | Let’s Celebrate: Thanksgiving Day | 5-8 |
| Activity Book | Thanksgiving Crafts & Recipes | 6-10 |
You can read these books in print or on a screen. Epic lets you switch between a tablet, computer, or a real book.
Benefits for Families and Educators
Epic’s Thanksgiving Collection helps families make special memories. You get safe and high-quality books. These are good for reading at home or in class. You do not have to worry about what your child sees. Experts pick every book for kids.
Families like reading together and talking about gratitude. You can start new traditions by sharing stories before dinner or bedtime. Teachers use these books for lessons about history, culture, and kindness. You can plan crafts, writing, or group talks from the stories.
Tip: Epic’s reading logs help you track progress and see which books your child likes best.
Here are some benefits you’ll notice:
- Many choices for different ages and interests
- Safe and trusted books for kids
- Easy to get digital books anywhere
- Helps learning and brings families closer
Getting Started
Are you ready to begin? You can look at Epic’s Thanksgiving Collection online. Search by age, reading level, or topic. You will find suggestions for every child. Some kids like funny stories. Others want to learn about traditions.
If you are a parent, set a reading time each night in November. Let your child pick a new book from the collection. If you are a teacher, use Epic’s classroom tools to assign books and track reading. You can share books with students during remote learning.
You do not need special equipment. Just sign up, pick your favorite thanksgiving books for kids, and start reading. Your child’s confidence will grow as they read new stories. Epic makes it easy to celebrate Thanksgiving with books that inspire, teach, and entertain.
Note: You can add more books to your favorites list and read them again next year. The collection updates often, so you will find something new every season.
You can make Thanksgiving special by reading thanksgiving books for kids with your family or class. These stories help you think about what you are thankful for. They also help you remember good times together. You can try Epic’s Thanksgiving Collection or choose a new book from the list. Do you want to share your own traditions or suggest a book? Leave a comment below! Reading can be your new Thanksgiving tradition this year.
Conclusion
This year, make Thanksgiving extra special with a book that sparks joy and teaches gratitude. From silly turkeys to heartwarming stories of family, our top 10 picks have something for every child, whether they’re 3 or 8. Remember, the best book is one that you and your child can enjoy together—so grab a cozy spot, turn the pages, and let The magic of Thanksgiving begins!
Are you searching for Thanksgiving books for kids that make everyone happy and help families spend time together? Visit the thousands of Thanksgiving titles your kids can read anytime, anywhere!
FAQ on Thanksgiving Books for Kids
What age group enjoys Thanksgiving books the most?
Kids from 3 to 10 enjoy these books. There are stories for toddlers and older kids. You can pick books for early readers too. Choose books that fit your child’s reading level. Make sure the story matches what your child likes. This helps everyone have a good time.
Can I find Thanksgiving books in digital format?
Yes, you can get many books as eBooks. Epic’s Thanksgiving Collection has digital books for kids. You can read them on tablets, computers, or phones. This lets you read anywhere you want.
How do I make Thanksgiving reading fun for my child?
Read together with your family. Try using silly voices for characters. Act out parts of the story. Let your child choose which book to read. Bring snacks or use cozy blankets. Make reading a special part of Thanksgiving.
Are there Thanksgiving books that teach about gratitude?
Yes, lots of books talk about gratitude and kindness. Many stories show families helping each other. Some books have characters sharing what they are thankful for. These stories help you talk about thankfulness.
Can teachers use Thanksgiving books in the classroom?
Teachers use these books for reading out loud. You can do crafts and writing activities too. Stories can teach about history, culture, and gratitude. Epic’s Thanksgiving Collection has books for classrooms.
What if my child prefers funny stories?
There are many silly Thanksgiving books for kids. Stories like “Turkey Trouble” make kids laugh. “The Great Turkey Heist” is funny too. These books keep reading fun for everyone.
How do I choose the right Thanksgiving book for my child?
Look at the age range and reading level first. Ask your child what topics or characters they like. Check the pictures and story before you pick. Epic’s Thanksgiving Collection helps you find safe books for kids.
Can I start a Thanksgiving reading tradition?
Yes, you can start a new tradition. Pick a favorite book to read every year. Make a “Thankful Book Basket” for your family. Share stories with relatives on video calls. Reading together helps you make memories.
