The Best Thanksgiving Books To Buy This Season
A Buyer’s Guide to Thanksgiving Books
Thanksgiving books are a great way to teach your kids about the importance of the festival without boring them. This brief buyer’s guide will assist you in selecting a book for you or your children without having to browse each book in the market.
What Are the Different Types of Thanksgiving Books?
Even though there are quite a few different types of Thanksgiving books, we have classified them into main types. Check out the different types below:
Adults
Thanksgiving books designed for adults come in a few different genres. Some strictly highlight the origins of the festival without adding the element of comedy or fiction. These are ideal for those who love history and are looking for factual details but may be too boring for some adults. You can find a lot of fiction novels as well as comedic books that are suited for adults. These can be given as presents to your loved ones who have a passion for reading and would like to spend their holiday immersed in a book. Thanksgiving books offer a temporary escape from the usual family drama that a lot of adults seem to be dealing with.
Children
The purpose of most Thanksgiving books for children is to teach them about the holiday by making sure they do not get bored. Most children learn better when they hear or read stories that leave behind an important lesson. These books often come with a lot of colorful illustrations that will pique the interest of the children and help them visualize the story. Not only will this help them understand better, but they will also imagine themselves in the world of the book characters. Just make sure you are getting an age-appropriate book for your kid.
What Features Should a Thanksgiving Book Have?
Since there is a wide variety of Thanksgiving books available in the market, it is helpful to have a few tips in mind when you are browsing the different authors and genres. We have discussed these below for your ease.
High quality
Even though technological advancements in recent times mean that books are now available in electric versions that can simply be read on your phone or laptop, a lot of people still prefer the originality and coziness that a physical book brings. We recommend investing in a book that has high-quality pages and is printed well because a low-quality book can demotivate you to read it. It is worth spending a few extra bucks for hardcovers, especially if the book is a gift.
Catchy story
The story of the book must be catchy and interesting, especially if it is for kids. This is because young children have a smaller attention span than adults, and if something does not interest them, they will get tired of it quickly. Make sure that the book is not too wordy to make it difficult for the kids to keep up. It should not contain any unnecessary details and maintain the interest of kids till the end.
Value-oriented
One of the main purposes of Thanksgiving books is to instill a sense of gratefulness in individuals for what they have. Everyone wants more than what they already have, and these books should allow you to pause and reflect on the important things in life. This is true for both adult and children’s books. Look for stories that focus on values like respect and manners towards both elders and young people. After finishing a Thanksgiving book, you should feel like you have learned something new that will stay with you for the rest of your life.
Reviewing the Highest-Rated Thanksgiving Book of 2024
I Am Thankful – Best Overall
I Am Thankful is a Thanksgiving book for kids by Sheri Wall that is designed to instill a true sense of gratitude in children.
I Am Thankful is a Thanksgiving book for kids by Sheri Wall that is designed to instill a true sense of gratitude in children. The suitable age range for this book is from three to five years, but may also be enjoyed by older children. It is a rhyming storybook that includes stories of three different families that celebrate the festival by following their traditions. This will help kids in realizing that there is no one way of celebrating Thanksgiving and they should be tolerant of the ways others celebrate it.
There are a lot of fun and colorful illustrations which will keep kids interested until the end. An activity section is included at the end so that children can reflect on what they have learned. Due to its diverse stories and high-quality illustrations, we picked this Thanksgiving book as our first choice.
Pros
- Rhyming book with colorful illustrations for kids
- Promotes the values of diversity and gratefulness
- Activity sections help develop comprehension skills
Cons
- Only available in one language
Little Critter: Just a Special Thanksgiving – Most Hilarious
Little Critter: Just a Special Thanksgiving by Mercer Mayer is another Thanksgiving book for kids that is designed to help them understand the concept of the holiday.
Little Critter: Just a Special Thanksgiving by Mercer Mayer is another Thanksgiving book for kids that is designed to help them understand the concept of the holiday. Little Critter is a famous series and is a beloved character by many children. If your child loves him, you need to invest in this book. This book has a funny story, which means that your kids will love it, but it will also teach important Thanksgiving values and traditions. It is suitable for children ranging between one and four years, and it is just 24 pages long so older kids can read it independently as well.
This Thanksgiving book includes a sheet of stickers that will be loved by children and remind them of the message of the book. There are a lot of colorful illustrations on every page so kids can visualize what is going on in the story.
Pros
- Funny storyline featuring an important message
- Includes easy-to-comprehend language
- Includes a sheet of stickers
Cons
- Not available as an ebook
The Berenstain Bears Give Thanks – Most Informative
The Berenstain Bears Give Thanks by Jan and Mike Berenstain is another one of our favorite Thanksgiving books that are designed for children.
The Berenstain Bears Give Thanks by Jan and Mike Berenstain is another one of our favorite Thanksgiving books that are designed for children. It is one of the many books written in the Berenstain Bears series, most of which highlight an important message at the end. This book aims to remind children of the many blessings of God so that they are grateful for what they have.
The book comes with a lot of colorful illustrations that will help the children visualize the story. It is suitable for children between the ages of three to six, but a few older children may also like it. The 32 pages may be a lot for completing in one sitting, especially if the child is reading independently.
Pros
- Highlights the history and importance of Thanksgiving
- High-quality pages and printing
- Helps teach values like manners and respect
Cons
- Book is not inclusive of all beliefs
How to Catch a Turkey – STEAM-Based
If you are looking for a Thanksgiving book that will motivate your kids to learn more about STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) concepts, you should consider How to Catch a Turkey by Adam Wallace.
If you are looking for a Thanksgiving book that will motivate your kids to learn more about STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) concepts, you should consider How to Catch a Turkey by Adam Wallace. It is a funny story that begins with a turkey that is on the loose and the kids have to find a way to catch it. Since the story is a bit long, it is recommended for children above the age of four.
This book is a part of an entire How to Catch series, and you should check them out if you want to complete your collection. It has been written by an experienced cartoonist who is also a New York Times Bestselling author. Due to its STEAM concepts, this Thanksgiving book can also be incorporated into the kindergarten classroom.
Pros
- Includes useful STEAM concepts
- New York Times Bestselling author
- Includes colorful and interesting illustrations
Cons
- May be too wordy for young kids
A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving – Ideal for Older Kids
Last but not least, a Charlie Brown Thanksgiving by Charles M. Schulz made it to our list due to its interesting story and vibrant illustrations.
Last but not least, a Charlie Brown Thanksgiving by Charles M. Schulz made it to our list due to its interesting story and vibrant illustrations. If your child loves Snoopy, this is the book for you. It is a tale of how Charlie Brown, the main character, is faced with the challenge of having to make an entire Thanksgiving dinner without any prior cooking experience. The book revolves around this dinner, and the reader is left waiting to find out whether it will be a success or a huge failure.
Since it is 32 pages long, it is only recommended for children above four years who have the attention span to finish it in one setting. Your kids will love the characters that they have seen before.
Pros
- Includes some of the most beloved cartoons
- An interesting story will keep kids engaged
- Written by a renowned author
Cons
- Not available in hardcover
People Also Asked
A: While it is true that renowned and experienced authors are less likely to disappoint you when it comes to the storyline and the delivery, it should also be kept in mind that by giving a chance to new authors, you may discover hidden gems.
A: This will depend on what exactly you are looking for when it comes to Thanksgiving books. Other than learning about the history of the festival, you can look for fiction novels or ones that incorporate a comedic genre.
A: When it comes to books, it is important to realize that people will review them according to their expectations from the book. Since everyone has different expectations, you may not like a book that has been reviewed excellently by someone else.
