27 Best Thanksgiving Books for Kindergarten

Thanksgiving books for kindergarten are a wonderful way to bring the holiday into your child’s learning and play.

Whether it’s a silly turkey tale that makes them laugh or a gentle story about gratitude, these read-alouds capture the season in ways young children can understand.

I’ve found that mixing picture books with simple activities helps kids connect more deeply with the themes of thankfulness, family, and fall traditions.

Collage of Thanksgiving books for kindergarten including Pete the Cat, 10 Fat Turkeys, and The Leaf Thief.

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Top Thanksgiving Kindergarten Books

Spend some quality time with the kids this November with these fun picture books about Thanksgiving.

Reading together at this age does more than just entertain, it builds vocabulary, listening skills, and a sense of connection.

Kindergarteners especially benefit from stories that balance humor with gentle lessons about gratitude, sharing, and holiday traditions.

Some of these titles work beautifully for a quick classroom circle time, while others make cozy bedtime reads at home.

Many also spark natural follow-up activities, like counting turkeys, writing thankful lists, or acting out the story with simple props.

Pete the Cat: The First Thanksgiving

Pete the Cat brings history to life in a way kindergartners can actually sit through. The play-style format is short enough for circle time, and the bright illustrations kept my son engaged even when the story touched on the Pilgrims. I’ve found it works best as a read-aloud, with time to pause and let kids share what they notice about the traditions.

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Turkey!

This book never fails to make us giggle with its silly storyline. The unexpected antics of the old lady swallowing a turkey, and a series of other Thanksgiving oddities, had my child howling with laughter. It's the kind of book that sticks in their minds, perfect for a lighthearted family read.

Elmo’s Best Thanksgiving Ever!

There’s something so comforting about reading a familiar Sesame Street story. Elmo’s journey of gratitude makes this a heartwarming choice for young readers. The book emphasizes family and kindness in a way that resonates with kids, making it a lovely bedtime option during the holiday season.

10 Fat Turkeys

This silly counting book is perfect for early math reinforcement. The rhyme and repetition make it easy for kindergartners to join in, and my son loved shouting out the next number as each turkey toppled off the fence. If you want to stretch it further, it pairs nicely with a simple Thanksgiving counting worksheet or a quick “act it out” game where kids pretend to be the turkeys.

The Leaf Thief

Even though it isn’t strictly Thanksgiving, The Leaf Thief is a great seasonal choice for November. The simple storyline keeps kindergartners laughing, and the bold illustrations spark curiosity about fall changes. When we read it, my son immediately wanted to go outside and collect leaves to compare. It’s a nice bridge between story time and a hands-on science activity. Learn more about leaves with a worksheet activity when you have finished the book.

The Story of the Pilgrims

We turn to this book when we want to connect with Thanksgiving's origins in a way that’s approachable for young learners. It’s a simple but meaningful introduction to the Pilgrims’ journey, and my son found Squanto’s story especially interesting.

The Giving Snowman

This bedtime favorite teaches kindness without being preachy. It’s one of those stories that leaves everyone feeling cozy. The snowman’s message about gratitude carries through the season, making it ideal to read together in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving.

Turkey Trouble

This book had us all chuckling as we followed Turkey’s many attempts to avoid becoming dinner. My son found the costumes hilarious, and it’s become a yearly tradition to read it before we dive into our own Thanksgiving meal.

How to Catch a Turkey

The anticipation in this story really draws kids in. My child loved brainstorming his own ideas for turkey traps, and the humorous tone kept us laughing the whole way through. Plus, the turkey scavenger hunt activity pairs perfectly with it.

The Berenstain Bears Give Thanks

The Berenstain Bears’ Thanksgiving adventure feels familiar and comforting. The way it highlights gratitude and family values makes it a gentle reminder of what the holiday is all about. It’s a great conversation starter around the dinner table.

I Am Thankful

This book’s simple text and sweet illustrations encouraged my son to reflect on the small things he’s thankful for. We followed it up with an acrostic poem activity, using the letters in “THANKFUL” to create a personalized poem.

Fancy Nancy: Our Thanksgiving Banquet

Nancy’s flair for the dramatic brings a touch of sparkle to the holiday. My child loved the stickers and planning her own fancy banquet inspired by Nancy’s adventures. It’s a playful way to introduce the idea of hosting and sharing with others.

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

This beautifully illustrated story explains the origins of the Macy’s Parade. It’s a bit wordy for some kindergartners, but works well as a read-aloud. My son loved the balloon designs, and we drew our own parade floats afterward.

Happy Thanksgiving, Biscuit!

Biscuit’s simple adventures are perfect for young readers. My child loved following Biscuit’s small but meaningful celebrations, reinforcing the importance of spending time with loved ones during the holidays.

The First Thanksgiving of 1621

A simple introduction to the Pilgrims and Native Americans. The text is longer than most kindergarten books, but with pauses to talk about the pictures it makes a meaningful read-aloud for the holiday.

Taylor the Tooting Turkey

This book was an instant favorite, thanks to its silly humor. My son couldn’t stop laughing, and it gave us an opportunity to talk about acceptance and embracing differences, wrapped in fun, of course.

Turkey Goes to School

Turkey’s adventures at school had my child hooked. The disguises added humor, and the playful storytelling made it a hit. It’s a great way to keep the fun going throughout the season, beyond Thanksgiving Day.

A Little Thanksgiving SPOT

This book introduces the concept of gratitude in a fun and accessible way. Spot’s journey encourages kids to think about being thankful daily, not just on Thanksgiving, which is a message we try to reinforce at home.

The Pilgrims’ First Thanksgiving

We love reading this together to connect with the true meaning of Thanksgiving. It offers an accessible retelling of the Pilgrims’ experience, sparking curiosity and discussions about the holiday’s origins.

A Turkey for Thanksgiving

This story quickly became one of our Thanksgiving favorites. The message of inclusion and friendship comes through in a heartwarming way, and my child enjoyed the surprising twist at the end.

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

We always return to this classic for a bit of nostalgia. My child loves the Peanuts gang’s funny mishaps, and it’s a nice way to explore themes of friendship and gratitude with a familiar set of characters.

Gratitude is My Superpower

This book inspires kids to see thankfulness as a superpower, which resonated well with my son. The illustrations are vibrant, and the positive message made it a great pick for reinforcing gratitude.

Run, Turkey, Run!

This lively story had us cheering for the turkey all the way through. It’s fast-paced and funny, keeping kids engaged, and it’s a perfect reminder to slow down and enjoy the little things during the busy holiday season.

Just a Special Thanksgiving

Little Critter’s relatable experiences made this a hit in our home. The mix of mishaps and sweet moments reflect real-life holiday preparations, making it a cozy and enjoyable read for kids.

Bad Kitty Does Not Like Thanksgiving

This book brings a chaotic but funny twist to Thanksgiving preparations. My child found Bad Kitty’s antics hilarious, and the story wraps up with a lovely message about appreciating the spirit of the holiday.

Thanksgiving Is for Giving Thanks!

We love how this book focuses on the core message of the holiday, giving thanks. It’s simple, yet meaningful, making it a great way to introduce young children to the idea of gratitude.

The Night Before Thanksgiving

The build-up to Thanksgiving Day in this book mirrors the excitement we feel at home. My child enjoyed following the preparations, and it got us all in the holiday spirit. It’s a delightful way to kick off the festivities.

No matter which titles you choose, these Thanksgiving books for kindergarteners bring the holiday to life in ways young children can enjoy.

From silly turkey tales to stories of gratitude and tradition, they’re a wonderful way to spark conversation and create memories together this November.

For even more seasonal fun, pair your read-alouds with our free Thanksgiving printables for kids, perfect for extending the learning beyond the story.

Last Updated on 3 September 2025 by Clare Brown

Top Thanksgiving Kindergarten Books

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