Round-Up: Thanksgiving

 

Hi everyone,

If you have young children visiting for Thanksgiving, you know you need something to keep them entertained! Try some of these Thanksgiving-themed picture books!

 

There seems to be a common trend among Thanksgiving books, where the truth about turkey is revealed and somehow the terrified animal is saved. Here are two options that fit into that category!

 

A Turkey for Thanksgiving by Eve Bunting

Illustrated by Diane deGroat

Publisher: Clarion Books, 1991

Genre: Thanksgiving, Animals

Format: Hardcover, Picture Book

Source: Public Library

Mr. Moose insists on bringing Turkey to Thanksgiving dinner, despite Turkey’s misgivings. However, Turkey finds that he’s been invited to share dinner, instead of being part of it!

For more information:

http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/contributor/eve-bunting A biography of Eve Bunting

http://www.dianedegroat.com/ Diane deGroat’s official website

 

‘Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving by Dav Pilkey

Publisher: Orchard Books, 1990

Genre: Thanksgiving

Format: Hardcover, Picture Book

Source: Public Library

After a field trip to a turkey farm, a bus-full of compassionate students save the turkeys from Thanksgiving dinner! Told in silly rhyme with creative illustrations, this book will make both children and adults laugh as they look for the hidden turkeys!

For more information:

http://www.pilkey.com/ Dav Pilkey’s official website

 

Another common theme is what I think of as “increasing objects,” where the main character gathers more and more increasingly ridiculous objects.

 

I Know an Old Lady who Swallowed a Pie by Alison Jackson

Illustrated by Judith Byron Schachner

Publisher: Dutton Children’s Books, 1997

Genre: Thanksgiving

Format: Hardcover, Picture Book

Source: Public Library

The classic I Know an Old Lady who Swallowed… story with a Thanksgiving twist!

For more information:

http://www.alison-jackson.com/ Alison Jackson’s official website

http://www.judithbyronschachner.com/ Judy Schachner’s official website

 

One is a Feast for a Mouse: A Thanksgiving Tale by Judy Cox

Illustrated by Jeffrey Ebbeler

Publisher: Holiday House, 2008

Genre: Thanksgiving

Format: Hardcover, Picture Book

Source: Public Library

A hungry mouse sneaks out to find the perfect Thanksgiving leftovers. While a pea may be a feast, he can’t resist taking a little bit of everything…until the cat has a few ideas of its own!

For more information:

http://www.judycox.net/ Judy Cox’s official website

http://www.jeffillustration.com/Home.html Jeffrey Ebbeler’s official website

 

And last, a Thanksgiving list wouldn’t be complete without a little history.

 

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

Illustrated by Matt Faulkner

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2002

Genre: Thanksgiving, Biography, History

Format: Hardcover, Picture Book

Source: Public Library

This picture book biography tells the story of Sarah Hale, who was instrumental in establishing Thanksgiving as an annual national holiday.

For more information:

http://madwomanintheforest.com/ Laurie Halse Anderson’s official website

http://www.mattfaulkner.com/ Matt Faulkner’s official website

 

Out of these picture books, I particularly like One is a Feast for a Mouse and think Thank You, Sarah is a great addition to traditional Thanksgiving stories. If you’re looking for more activities and reading suggestions, check out our latest Pinterest board.

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Julia