Time is a thief, isn't it? No matter where we are in our parenting journey, I think we can all agree on that. That's why one of my favorite things about the start of a new month is seeing the joy on my children's faces when I switch out our monthly bins. Each bin is filled with seasonal books, stuffed animals, and a handful of toys that get to take their turn in the rotation. My kids are old enough now to help pack up the previous month's treasures while I unpack the new ones. I used to change the bins quarterly, but as our book collection continues to grow, we've switched to monthly. For November, we'll, of course, have books about Thanksgiving and gratitude, but also ones celebrating fall, harvest, and even elections.
This article was written with the assistance of ChatGPT, an AI language model developed by OpenAI.
Ranging from picture books to young adult, here’s a list of highly recommended fall and Thanksgiving-themed books, so you’ll find options for a wide variety of readers.
📙 "Llama Llama Gives Thanks" by Anna Dewdney
Age Range: 2-5 years
Synopsis: Llama Llama learns about the importance of gratitude during Thanksgiving. As he prepares for the holiday with his family, Llama reflects on all the things he is thankful for, from family and friends to the food on the table. With its rhyming text and familiar characters, this story is a perfect way to introduce young children to the concept of thankfulness.
📙 "I Love to Gobble You Up!" by Sandra Magsamen
Age Range: 2-5 years
Synopsis: This sweet and playful book celebrates the love between a parent and child with a Thanksgiving twist. Through a fun, turkey-themed story, the parent expresses how much they love their little one, using charming, rhythmic language and adorable illustrations. Perfect for toddlers, this heartwarming book makes a great read during the holiday season, focusing on love and gratitude.
📙 "The Thankful Book" by Todd Parr
Age Range: 3-6 years
Synopsis: A colorful picture book about all the things we can be thankful for, from family to nature. Todd Parr's vibrant illustrations and positive message make this a great choice for young readers.
📙 "Apple Cider Time" by Margaret McNamara
Age Range: 3-6 years
Synopsis: A group of children visit an apple orchard and learn about the fall harvest, apple picking, and making cider. It’s a delightful book about seasonal traditions.
📙 "Bear Says Thanks" by Karma Wilson
Age Range: 3-6 years
Synopsis: Bear is throwing a party for his friends, but he has no food to share. His friends generously help, and Bear learns that giving thanks is the best gift of all.
📙 "Thank You, Thanksgiving" by David Milgrim
Age Range: 3-6 years
Synopsis: A little mouse says “thank you” for all the wonderful things about Thanksgiving. It’s a perfect introduction to gratitude for young children.
📙 "Being Thankful" by Mercer Mayer
Age Range: 3-6 years
Synopsis: In this charming Little Critter story, Little Critter learns the importance of being thankful for the people and things in his life. Through everyday moments and simple acts of kindness, the book teaches young readers about gratitude in a relatable and heartwarming way. With Mercer Mayer's signature illustrations, this book is a wonderful introduction to the concept of thankfulness for young children.
📙 "The Littlest Pilgrim" by Brandi Dougherty
Age Range: 3-6 years
Synopsis: A little pilgrim feels left out during Thanksgiving preparations, but she finds her own special way to contribute and share her thanks with others.
Do you do Boo Baskets for Halloween or Turkey Totes for Thanksgiving? If so, I’d love to hear what items you’re including! Need some ideas? Take a look at some of our past baskets for inspiration.
📙 "The Leaf Thief" by Alice Hemming
Age Range: 3-7 years
Synopsis: In this whimsical fall story, Squirrel notices that the leaves on his tree are disappearing and suspects that someone is stealing them. As he embarks on a mission to catch the "leaf thief," he learns about the natural changes that happen in autumn, such as leaves falling and turning color. With its gentle humor and charming illustrations, the book is a fun way to explore the seasons and teach young readers about the beauty of fall.
📙 "Thanksgiving is for Giving Thanks" by Margaret Sutherland
Age Range: 3-7 years
Synopsis: A simple, heartwarming story that teaches children about the spirit of gratitude and giving thanks. The book highlights all the things we can be thankful for during the Thanksgiving season.
📙 "Balloon Tree" by Phoebe Gilman
Age Range: 3-7 years
Synopsis: In this enchanting fall story, a boy and his grandmother discover a magical tree that grows balloons, setting off a delightful adventure full of fall colors and seasonal charm.
📙 "Thankful Things" by Dr. Seuss
Age Range: 3-7 years
Synopsis: This fun, rhyming story encourages children to appreciate the everyday blessings in their lives. Through the whimsical world of Dr. Seuss, young readers are reminded of the many small, joyful things to be thankful for, from nature to the people around them. With its classic Seussian style and playful illustrations, the book offers a lighthearted way to introduce gratitude to young readers.
📙 "Fletcher and the Falling Leaves" by Julia Rawlinson
Age Range: 3-7 years
Synopsis: Fletcher the fox is sad when the leaves begin to fall from the trees. This book beautifully captures the changing seasons and the importance of change and gratitude.
📙 "The Night Before Thanksgiving" by Natasha Wing
Age Range: 3-7 years
Synopsis: A Thanksgiving version of the classic "Night Before Christmas" rhyme. It’s a fun and festive read for the night before Thanksgiving, as families prepare for their feasts.
📙 "There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Turkey" by Lucille Colandro
Age Range: 3-7 years
Synopsis: In this festive twist on the classic rhyme, an old lady swallows a turkey, and soon after, she keeps gobbling up more Thanksgiving items, from pie to a pumpkin. The hilarious, repetitive text and vibrant illustrations make it a fun, engaging read for young children, perfect for the Thanksgiving season. The silly chain of events is sure to entertain and is ideal for a read-aloud.
📙 "The Great Turkey Race" by Steve Metzger
Age Range: 3-7 years
Synopsis: A funny and exciting race between turkeys in this Thanksgiving story. It's a fast-paced read with lots of humor, perfect for a holiday read-aloud.
📙 "Turkey Trouble" by Wendi Silvano
Age Range: 3-8 years
Synopsis: A humorous story about a turkey trying to avoid becoming Thanksgiving dinner. The turkey tries different disguises, but will he be able to fool the farmer?
📙 "In November" by Cynthia Rylant
Age Range: 4-7 years
Synopsis: A lyrical, peaceful exploration of the sights and sounds of November. The poetic text and illustrations evoke the beauty and reflective mood of the fall season.
📙 "A Plump and Perky Turkey" by Teresa Bateman
Age Range: 4-7 years
Synopsis: A humorous Thanksgiving story about a turkey who uses his wits to avoid being the main course at Thanksgiving dinner. It’s playful and fun.
📙 "Thanksgiving in the Woods" by Phyllis Alsdurf
Age Range: 4-8 years
Synopsis: A family celebrates Thanksgiving in the woods, far from the typical feast. The story celebrates the blessings of nature and family in a unique and simple way.
📙 "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving" by Charles M. Schulz
Age Range: 4-8 years
Synopsis: A beloved Peanuts classic where Charlie Brown and his friends celebrate Thanksgiving in their own unique way. Themes of friendship, gratitude, and simplicity shine through.
📙 "The Pumpkin Patch Parable" by Liz Curtis Higgs
Age Range: 4-8 years
Synopsis: A Christian-themed fall story about a farmer who plants a pumpkin patch. The story of the pumpkin’s growth parallels themes of faith, love, and gratitude.
📙 "Thanksgiving at the Tappletons’" by Eileen Spinelli
Age Range: 4-8 years
Synopsis: A family of animals prepares for Thanksgiving in this charming story. It's a celebration of family and the joy of gathering together.
📙 "Fall Mixed Up" by Bob Raczka
Age Range: 4-8 years
Synopsis: A fun, interactive book that invites readers to spot the seasonal changes that are out of place in a fall setting. A playful introduction to fall for young readers.
📙 "How to Catch a Turkey" by Adam Wallace
Age Range: 4-8 years
Synopsis: In this playful, humorous story, a group of kids tries to catch a wild turkey before Thanksgiving dinner. With funny, creative attempts and lively illustrations, the story shows the chaos and fun that ensue as the kids go to great lengths to catch their feathery target. Perfect for Thanksgiving, this book is full of laughs and a great read-aloud for younger children.
📙 "We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga" by Traci Sorell
Age Range: 4-8 years
Synopsis: We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga is a beautifully illustrated book that introduces children to the Cherokee culture and the importance of gratitude. Through a year’s cycle of seasonal celebrations and experiences, the book explores how the Cherokee people express thankfulness for nature, family, and community. Written in both English and Cherokee, it offers a meaningful perspective on gratitude while celebrating Indigenous traditions.
📙 "Pumpkin Soup" by Helen Cooper
Age Range: 4-8 years
Synopsis: This story about a cat, a squirrel, and a duck who make pumpkin soup together offers a cozy, heartwarming theme of friendship and working together.
📙 "The Thanksgiving Story" by Alice Dalgliesh
Age Range: 4-8 years
Synopsis: This book offers a simple yet captivating retelling of the first Thanksgiving. It tells the story of the Pilgrims' journey to America, their struggles during the first winter, and the harvest celebration that led to the Thanksgiving holiday. Through engaging prose and warm illustrations, the book introduces young readers to the history of the Pilgrims and their relationship with the Native Americans who helped them. It’s an excellent choice for introducing children to the roots of the Thanksgiving tradition.
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📙 "The First Thanksgiving" by Jean Craighead George
Age Range: 5-8 years
Synopsis: A retelling of the story of the Pilgrims and Native Americans coming together to celebrate the first Thanksgiving. This informative story explores the history of the holiday in a kid-friendly way.
📙 "The Story of the Pilgrims" by Katharine Ross
Age Range: 5-9 years
Synopsis: This beautifully written and illustrated book tells the true story of the Pilgrims' journey from England to America in 1620. It follows their difficult voyage aboard the Mayflower, their struggles during the first winter, and their eventual friendship and cooperation with the Wampanoag people, which led to the first Thanksgiving. The story is told with clear, simple language that is accessible for younger readers, making it a great choice for teaching children about the history behind the holiday.
📙 "Thanksgiving on Plymouth Plantation" by Diane Stanley
Age Range: 6-9 years
Synopsis: This detailed and informative book gives young readers a closer look at the history of the Pilgrims and the first Thanksgiving with rich illustrations and engaging facts.
📙 "Thanksgiving on Thursday" by Mary Chamerlain
Age Range: 6-9 years
Synopsis: Part of the Magic Tree House series, this book explores the history of Thanksgiving through a time-travel adventure, blending fiction with educational content.
📙 "The Scarecrow's Secret" by Susan D. Sweet
Age Range: 6-9 years
Synopsis: A story about a young girl who spends Thanksgiving at a farm where she uncovers the mystery of a scarecrow and the lessons of harvest time.
📙 "The Thanksgiving Wish" by Mike Lockett
Age Range: 7-10 years
Synopsis: A heartfelt story about a young girl who makes a special Thanksgiving wish and learns valuable lessons about gratitude, family, and hope.
This collection includes books suitable for different age groups, from toddler-friendly stories to early chapter books, offering both fun and educational content about fall and Thanksgiving. Do you have any other favorite books your family enjoys reading this time of year? Share them with us, and we'll add them to our list!
Even if monthly gift baskets aren't your thing, doing a toy/book rotation has helped save our sanity by reducing clutter and the number of items we have out at any given time. In addition to books and stuffed animals, we also rotate our sensory items, something to build with (think blocks, magnetic tiles, Lincoln logs, etc.) and even select Tonies. Do you have any toys that only come out once a year or depending on the season? Let me know!
