--- title: The Best Read Aloud Thanksgiving Books for Preschoolers and Early Elementary Age Kids description: Looking for Thanksgiving read-alouds? Explore the best picture books for preschool and early elementary kids about gratitude, family, and community. image: https://blog.beamingbooks.com/hubfs/Blog_Banner-1.jpg --- [![BB-logo](https://blog.beamingbooks.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Beaming%20Books/BB-logo.png?width=2042&height=676&name=BB-logo.png "BB-logo")](https://blog.beamingbooks.com/) - [Activities](https://www.beamingbooks.com/resources) - [Blog Posts](https://blog.beamingbooks.com/tag/resources) - [Shop Now](https://www.beamingbooks.com) ## [The Best Read Aloud Thanksgiving Books for Preschoolers and Early Elementary Age Kids](https://blog.beamingbooks.com/best-read-aloud-thanksgiving-books-for-preschoolers-and-early-elementary-kids) Nov 6, 2026, 2:16:08 PM / by [Beaming Books](https://blog.beamingbooks.com/author/beaming-books) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![BB Thanksgiving Blog Banner](https://blog.beamingbooks.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_Banner-1.jpg?width=684&height=399&name=Blog_Banner-1.jpg) For many families, Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude, togetherness, and cherished traditions. These Thanksgiving picture books for preschoolers, kindergarteners, and first and second graders make perfect read-alouds for the holiday season, featuring heartwarming stories about family, friendship, generosity, cultural traditions, and thankfulness. Whether you're looking for Thanksgiving picture books for the classroom, books about gratitude for kids, or diverse Thanksgiving stories to share at home, this list has something for every young reader.   [![BB thanksgiving in the woods flat](https://blog.beamingbooks.com/hs-fs/hubfs/BB%20thanksgiving%20in%20the%20woods%20flat.jpg?width=250&height=256&name=BB%20thanksgiving%20in%20the%20woods%20flat.jpg)](https://hubs.li/Q04DvbtS0) [Thanksgiving In the Woods](https://hubs.li/Q04DvbtS0) By Phyllis Alsdurf, illustrated by Jenny Lovlie Every year, a family and their friends gather in the woods to celebrate Thanksgiving among the trees. Everyone brings something to share and the day becomes a long celebration of family, faith, and friendship. This gentle Thanksgiving classic is perfect for sharing with young children. Toddlers and preschoolers will enjoy the cozy story and repetition of the refrain “Thanksgiving in the woods” before each page-turn.   [![Two List Thanksgiving cvr](https://blog.beamingbooks.com/hs-fs/hubfs/9781506497594.jpg?width=250&height=250&name=9781506497594.jpg)](https://hubs.li/Q04DvbkT0) [Two List Thanksgiving](https://hubs.li/Q04DvbkT0) By Christine Whan, illustrated by Sienna Youngsun Kim What does Thanksgiving dinner look like when both sides of the family come together? In this bicultural Korean American Thanksgiving story, a girl makes two shopping lists—one for the local market and one for the Korean market! Carrots for japchae and turkey stuffing. Whipped cream for the pumpkin pie. Shrimp for pajeon, short ribs for galbi, and cinnamon for the yams. Thanksgiving is going to be delicious! Read children this book to introduce the concept of cultural identity or to start a conversation about how all families have their own unique traditions.   [![Thanksgiving Is a Blessing](https://blog.beamingbooks.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Thanksgiving%20Is%20a%20Blessing.jpg?width=250&height=213&name=Thanksgiving%20Is%20a%20Blessing.jpg)](https://hubs.li/Q04DvdTP0) [Thanksgiving Is a Blessing](https://hubs.li/Q04DvdTP0) By Rachel Tawil Kenyon, illustrated by Udayana Lugo This lyrical book celebrates Thanksgiving’s many special qualities. Thanksgiving can be a blessing, a candle, a kindness, a promise, or a prayer. Because it shows that the holiday holds deeper meaning for many people, *Thanksgiving Is a Blessing* works for those looking for Christian Thanksgiving books, Thanksgiving reads for Jewish families, and more. No matter how one celebrates, Thanksgiving is a chance to reconnect, reminisce, and make new memories.   [![BB\_LittleMoleGivesThanks\_Cover\_9781506482521](https://blog.beamingbooks.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Beaming%20Books/Fall_2023/Covers/BB_LittleMoleGivesThanks_Cover_9781506482521.jpg?width=250&height=250&name=BB_LittleMoleGivesThanks_Cover_9781506482521.jpg)](https://hubs.li/Q04DvbPk0) [Little Mole Gives Thanks](https://hubs.li/Q04DvbPk0)  By Glenys Nellist, illustrated by Sally Anne Garland Little Mole's table is all set for his fancy fall feast, and he can't wait to welcome three important guests. But when each of the guests are not able to attend, Little Mole doesn't know what to do. Who will fill his table? This is a helpful story  for preparing kids that sometimes, holidays don’t go as planned. Young readers will enjoy watching Little Mole realize that in the end, family and friends are the most important part of the day.   [![Each Day Is a Gift](https://blog.beamingbooks.com/hs-fs/hubfs/9781506492520.jpg?width=250&height=250&name=9781506492520.jpg)](https://hubs.li/Q04DvbXV0) [Each Day Is a Gift](https://hubs.li/Q04DvbXV0) By Lisl H. Detlefsen, illustrated by Natalia Vasilica Adults who want to encourage kids to be thankful can open children's eyes to the beauty of the everyday with this thoughtful book. Full of wisdom and affirmations, the pages show how when we receive "a brand-new bike kind of gift" or "a trip-to-the-amusement-park kind of gift," it's easy to be grateful, but when we come across an "extremely un-asked-for" gift, gratitude doesn't always come easily. The kind of read that can be as moving for adults as is for kids, *Each Day Is a Gift* expands our list of what to be grateful for.    [![BB porcupines pie flat](https://blog.beamingbooks.com/hs-fs/hubfs/BB%20porcupines%20pie%20flat.jpg?width=250&height=271&name=BB%20porcupines%20pie%20flat.jpg)](https://hubs.li/Q04Dvb-W0) [Porcupine's Pie](https://hubs.li/Q04Dvb-W0) By Laura Renauld, illustrated by Jennie Poh   Porcupine can't wait to share Fall Feast with her friends. When everyone she greets is unable to make their dish due to a missing ingredient, Porcupine offers staples from her pantry. Eventually Porcupine discovers that she, too, is missing a key ingredient, so her friends work together to create a new Fall Feast tradition. *Porcupine's Pie* teaches generosity to children ages 4-8. A recipe for "friendship pie" can be found at the end of the book—[here’s a peek](https://ms.beamingbooks.com/downloads/PorcupinePie_Recipe_Download.pdf?redirected=true)!     We've suggested books for the kids . . . now, how about activities? These [ideas for children's Thanksgiving traditions](https://hubs.li/Q04DwzvD0) can help you prepare (and fill time) before the big meal.  Bracing yourself for the holiday season? Our adult book imprint put together a list of [reads to help you prepare emotionally for the holidays](https://blog.broadleafbooks.com/books-to-prepare-your-soul-for-the-holiday-season).  Looking for books for a different celebration? Check out our lists of [Picture Books for Valentine's Day](https://hubs.li/Q04DwBfb0)or [Easter books for Christian Kids](https://hubs.li/Q04DwBl70).  [More from Beaming Books](https://www.beamingbooks.com/) Topics: [Resources](https://blog.beamingbooks.com/topic/resources) ![Beaming Books](https://blog.beamingbooks.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Beaming%20Books/BB_sun_favicon-96x96.png?width=100&height=100&name=BB_sun_favicon-96x96.png) #### Written by [Beaming Books](https://blog.beamingbooks.com/author/beaming-books) Beaming Books publishes high-quality children’s books that help kids thrive socially, emotionally, and spiritually. ### Subscribe to Email Updates ### Searching for more inspiration? 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