Thanksgiving Read Aloud Books to Share With Kids

Thanksgiving read alouds are one of my favorite ways to slow down and enjoy the holiday with kids.

Sharing these stories together brings more than just fun, it sparks conversations about gratitude, family, and traditions while building a love for reading.

Some books make us laugh with silly turkeys, others open the door to history and thankfulness, but all of them turn story time into a memory we hold onto long after the holiday ends.

Collage of popular Thanksgiving read aloud books for kids, including picture books and chapter books that celebrate gratitude and holiday traditions.

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Thanksgiving Stories for Kids to Read Aloud

From silly turkey adventures to thoughtful historical tales, these Thanksgiving books for kids are perfect choices for read alouds.

They’ll keep younger children engaged with humor while opening up deeper conversations about thankfulness for older ones.

Below you’ll find our top picks to share at home or in the classroom this season.

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Turkey! by Lucille Colandro

This one always had my son in stitches when he was little. The rhythm and rhyme make it a fantastic read aloud, and kids love trying to guess what the Old Lady will swallow next. It’s silly, quick, and works well with preschool and early elementary kids who enjoy repetition and giggles.

A Plump and Perky Turkey by Teresa Bateman

We read this every November, and it never gets old. The turkey’s clever tricks keep kids engaged, and the playful language is perfect for interactive reading. I’d pause to ask, “Do you think the turkey will outsmart them?”, and my son always had a theory. Great for ages 4–8, especially in a classroom group read.

The Berenstain Bears Give Thanks

The familiar characters make this story comforting for young readers. It’s slower paced, so it’s better for winding down at the end of the day. My son liked pointing out the details in the illustrations while we talked about what the Bear family was grateful for. Works well with ages 3–7 if you want to start a gratitude discussion after reading.

Gobble Gobble Mr. Wobble by Becky Cummings

This is one of those books where kids laugh just at the name. Mr. Wobble’s clumsy adventures make it a lighthearted choice, and the short text means it won’t lose the attention of younger listeners. It’s great for preschoolers and kindergartners who love silly, colorful stories.

Thank You, Sarah: The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving by Laurie Halse Anderson

This one surprised us, it’s historical but still engaging as a read aloud. I remember my son asking why Sarah had to write so many letters, which turned into a great mini-lesson about persistence. It’s best for ages 6–10, and works well if you want to balance the funny turkey tales with something meaningful and true.

Balloons over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade by Melissa Sweet

This book instantly became one of our holiday favorites. The artwork is so rich that kids lean in just to take in all the details. When I first read it aloud, my son was fascinated by the idea that one person’s creativity started the Macy’s parade balloons. It’s a longer picture book about Thanksgiving, best for grades 2–5, and works beautifully if you want a mix of art, history, and inspiration.

Squanto’s Journey: The Story of the First Thanksgiving

This is a thoughtful read aloud, and I’ll admit, it sparked some big questions in our home. Reading it together gave us a chance to talk about the Native American perspective, which many Thanksgiving books skip. The story is more serious, so I’d suggest it for ages 7 and up, when kids are ready for a deeper conversation about history.

I Am Thankful: A Thanksgiving Book for Kids by Sheri Wall

This one is short, sweet, and just right for preschoolers. My son used to chime in with his own “I am thankful for…” as we read each page, which made it interactive and meaningful. The simple text makes it easy for little ones to follow, and it works well as a circle time read in early childhood classrooms.

Thanksgiving in the Woods by Phyllis Alsdurf

This book has such a cozy, gentle feel. The rhythm of the text almost feels like a lullaby when read aloud, and the illustrations really capture the warmth of community. I remember reading this on a cold afternoon while wrapped in blankets, it’s that kind of book. It works especially well for ages 5–9 and can spark discussions about different family traditions.

Turkey Trouble by Wendi Silvano

This one always gets big laughs. My son loved guessing which disguise the turkey would try next, and the suspense of “Will he get caught?” kept him hooked until the end. It’s a perfect read aloud for classrooms because kids can shout out predictions together. Great for ages 4–8 if you want a funny story that never fails to entertain.

Thanksgiving on Thursday by Mary Pope Osborne

Magic Tree House books were a big hit in our homeschool, and this one fit perfectly around Thanksgiving. Jack and Annie’s time travel adventure makes history feel exciting, and the short chapters make it an easy read aloud over a few days. My son liked imagining what it would be like to step back into that first Thanksgiving. Best for ages 6–9 who enjoy a little fiction mixed with history.

‘Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving by Dav Pilkey

This one is pure fun. The rhyming text makes it flow beautifully out loud, and kids love the twist ending where the turkeys are saved. I remember my son bursting out laughing at the silly illustrations, Dav Pilkey always knows how to capture kids’ humor. It’s a great group read for ages 4–8, especially right before the holiday meal.

How to Catch a Turkey by Adam Wallace

The “How to Catch” series was always a big favorite in our house, and this Thanksgiving edition is no exception. The silly traps keep kids guessing, and the playful rhymes are fun to read aloud with a lot of expression. My son liked acting out how he would catch the turkey. It’s best for preschool through grade 2, especially if you want something lively and interactive.

What Was the First Thanksgiving? by Joan Holub

This nonfiction pick is great if you have older elementary kids curious about the history behind the holiday. It’s more factual, but still approachable enough to read aloud in sections. When we read it, I paused often so my son could ask questions, he was especially interested in how the holiday traditions changed over time. Best for ages 7–10, and works well in classrooms for history tie-ins.

The Story of the Pilgrims by Katharine Ross

This is one of the more traditional Thanksgiving stories, and while it’s simple, it’s a nice introduction for younger children. We read it when my son was about 5, and it helped him picture what life might have been like for the Pilgrims. The text is short enough to hold attention, and the illustrations give kids a lot to look at while you read. A good fit for preschool to early elementary.

The First Thanksgiving by Linda Hayward

This book was a gentle introduction to the holiday when my son was in kindergarten. The text is clear and straightforward, and it gave us a simple way to talk about the Pilgrims and Native Americans without overwhelming him. It works well as a short read aloud for ages 4–7, especially if you want a nonfiction option that feels approachable for younger listeners.

Thanksgiving Read Aloud Books to Share With Kids

Thanksgiving Stories for Kids to Read Aloud

More Thanksgiving Reading Fun

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Thanksgiving Stories for Kids to Read Aloud

More Thanksgiving Reading Fun

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