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As the weather turns cold and the evenings arrive sooner, we love cozying up with some great books. We learn and grow and are changed through story. These are some of our family’s favorite books to read around Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving Books for Kids
Give Thanks to the Lord :: Well-loved author, Karma Wilson (of the Bear Stays Up books), tells this story through the eyes of a young child as relatives and friends come to visit for Thanksgiving. Psalm 92 is referenced, and I love that the phrase repeated throughout the book is, “It is good to give thanks to the Lord!”
An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving :: by Louisa May Alcott – need I say more? :) This is a story of the Bassett family who are “poor in money but rich in love” and what happens when the parents are called away to help another family and the Bassett children set to work preparing Thanksgiving dinner on their own!
1621: A New Look at Thanksgiving :: for older kids and packed with information and real photographs of a Thanksgiving reenactment
Thanks for Thanksgiving :: for toddlers and preschoolers
Squanto and the Miracle of Thanksgiving by Eric Metaxes :: This entertaining and historical story shows that the actual hero of Thanksgiving was neither white nor Indian but God. In 1608, English traders came to Massachusetts and captured a twelve-year-old Indian, Squanto, and sold him into slavery. He was raised by Christians and taught faith in God. Ten years later he was sent home to America. Upon arrival, he learned an epidemic had wiped out his entire village. But God had plans for Squanto. God delivered a Thanksgiving miracle: an English-speaking Indian living in the exact place where the Pilgrims landed in a strange new world. {from the product description}
Mary’s First Thanksgiving: An Inspirational Story of Gratefulness :: Mary is new to America but when her family has a hard time finding food, Mary has a hard time finding something for which to be thankful. We can all learn a lesson or two from this book!
The Legend of Squanto {Radio Theatre by Focus on the Family} :: We are huge fans of Focus on the Family’s Radio Theatre productions. We haven’t yet listened to this one, but after reading the description, we are excited to listen and learn! From product description –> “Discover the incredible story of one of American history’s least known, yet most compelling, figures as it unfolds in The Legend of Squanto. This Focus on the Family radio theatre drama is more than just a tale about an honest man who triumphed over tragedy. It is also a tribute to honor, integrity, and the God-given ability to look beyond the color of one’s skin . . . and into the heart.”
The Berenstain Bears :: I never really read the Berenstain Bears books when I was a kid, but my kids love them. I think we may actually have read every. single. Berenstain Bears book out! We have enjoyed all three of these ::
Thanksgiving: A Time to Remember :: from Family Life’s Barbara Rainey, this is a must-have book for your family. This beautiful resource helps your family establish a meaningful tradition of “remembering the past, recognizing God’s hand in our history, and expressing thankfulness to Him for His goodness today.”
Looking for more books?
Check out these books on teaching kids to be grateful.
Question for You?
Which books are your reading to your kids for Thanksgiving?
Resources for You ::
- 10 Verses to sow Truth about gratitude into the hearts of our kids
- Scripture-based prayers for raising grateful kids
- Thankfulness: Kids Books that Teach Gratitude
Thank you for this list!! I love having as many Thanksgiving resources as possible! I was floored to find almost ALL of these in our little local library network! So… placed a ton of holds :) Also – I remember listening to The Legend of Squanto as a kid! We loved it :)
Yay!!! So glad it’s helpful — and how awesome that you found them at the library – the BEST!!