While there are many inaccurate and silly children's books about Thanksgiving, there are also excellent children's Thanksgiving books: some that stress giving thanks, some that are humorous, and some that provide a historically accurate picture of the first Thanksgiving. Here are the children's Thanksgiving books that I particularly recommend.
1. 1621, A New Look at Thanksgiving
This Thanksgiving book for 8-12 year olds provides an accurate account of Thanksgiving in 1621. It was written in collaboration with Plimoth Plantation, a living history museum. 1621, A New Look at Thanksgiving is illustrated with photographs of museum reenactments. The text and photographs present the Thanksgiving story from the viewpoints of both the English colonists and the Wampanoag people. (National Geographic, 2001. ISBN: 0792270274)
2. In Every Tiny Grain of Sand
Reeve Lindbergh's book is subtitled A Child's Book of Prayers and Praise. In Every Tiny Grain of Sand is divided into four sections: For the Day, For the Home, For the Earth, and For the Night, each with a different illustrator. The selections are from a variety of authors, cultures, and religions. The illustrations are wonderful and the selections a delight. While not a children's Thanksgiving book, it certainly emphasizes giving thanks and is a book to be enjoyed by the all ages. (Candlewick Press, 2000. ISBN: 0763601764)
3. Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message
According to the author, Chief Jake Swamp, the text of this picture book is "based on the Thanksgiving Address, an ancient message of peace and appreciation of Mother Earth and all her inhabitants" that comes from the Iroquois. The striking illustrations, acrylic paintings on canvas by Erwin Printup, Jr., capture the beauty of nature with drama and simplicity and complement the message of Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message This is another book the entire family will appreciate. (Lee & Low Books, 1995. ISBN: 1880000156)4. Gracias The Thanksgiving Turkey
Joy Cowley’s Thanksgiving picture book is illustrated with colorful oil paintings by Joe Cepeda. A young Hispanic boy, Miquel, lives with his grandparents in a city apartment. His father sends him a turkey to fatten up for the holiday. Instead, the bird becomes Miquel’s pet. Its life is spared when it is unexpectedly blessed by the priest. Gracias The Thanksgiving Turkey is an engaging story that will appeal to four- to eight-year-olds. (Scholastic, 1996. ISBN: 0590469770)5. Giving Thanks
The illustrations, oil paintings on linen, that fill each double page with nature's beauty are what sets this oversize (11.64" x 10.20") picture book apart. The simple story by Jonathan London is a boy's description of a hike through the woods with his father, who shares his gratitude and love of nature with his son. The exceptional artwork by Gregory Manchess will make Giving Thanks a family favorite for all ages. (Candlewick Press, 2003. ISBN: 076361680X)6. The Perfect Thanksgiving
Artist JoAnn Adinolfi used colored pencil and collage to create a colorful accompaniment to the rhyming text of Eileen Spinelli in The Perfect Thanksgiving, a delightful picture book. The story and illustrations are full of humor, with an important underlying message. A girl compares a "perfect" neighbor family's "perfect Thanksgiving" with her own imperfect family's "less-than-perfect Thanksgiving." Despite the marked differences, she realizes the two families are also alike: "alike in just how loving our different families are." (Henry Holt, 2003. ISBN: 080506318)7. Thanks for Thanksgiving
In this joyful and and humorous Thanksgiving picture book, a boy and girl celebrate and give thanks for the love of family and friends. Doris Barrette'd detailed and funny illustrations complement the rhyming text by Julie Markes. Each double page contains one sentence and an illustration, generally one crowded with family members, toys, pets, and more. The last page of Thanks for Thanksgiving is blank except for the heading: "A place to write our thankful thoughts, year after year." I recommend it for ages 3-6.(HarperCollins, 2004. ISBN: 006051096X)8. Thelonius Turkey Lives! (on Felicia Ferguson’s Farm)
This wacky tale, with its even wackier mixed media illustrations, will delight four- to eight-year-olds. Thelonius Turky is afraid that farmer Felicia Ferguson plans to eat him for Thanksgiving. After all, he's the only turkey left on the farm. With the help of the other farm animals, Thelonius tries to thwart Felicia’s plan with all kinds of mischief. Happily, Felicia Ferguson has something very special in mind for him, and it’s not to turn him into Thanksgiving dinner. Because of the humor and the illustrations, this book is a good read-aloud for ages 4-9. (Alfred A. Knopf, 2005. ISBN: 0375831266)