Books Lists
10+ Best Thanksgiving Books for 3-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)
As Thanksgiving approaches, you might be on the lookout for the perfect way to introduce the holiday spirit to your little one. Thanksgiving books for 3-year-olds are a fantastic way to spark that festive joy and teach them about gratitude, family, and the history of Thanksgiving in a fun, engaging way. Keep reading to discover a variety of Thanksgiving books for 3-year-olds that are sure to captivate their imagination and get them excited for the holiday season!
Table of Contents
Fun Thanksgiving Books for 3-Year-Olds
- Thanksgiving Is for Giving Thanks by Margaret Sutherland, illustrated by Sonja Lamut
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Holiday
- Synopsis: This book focuses on a young child learning about the importance of being thankful for what they have, especially during the Thanksgiving holiday.
- Why we recommend this book: It's simple and heartfelt, making it easy for young children to grasp the concept of gratitude.
- Perfect for: Toddlers and preschoolers beginning to understand the themes of thankfulness and family.
- Bear Says Thanks by Karma Wilson, illustrated by Jane Chapman
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Animal Stories
- Synopsis: Bear wants to throw a feast to say thanks to his friends, but his cupboards are bare. As each friend arrives with food to share, Bear realizes he has a lot to be thankful for.
- Why we recommend this book: The rhythmic text and charming illustrations make it a delightful read that emphasizes sharing and gratitude.
- Perfect for: Young children who enjoy stories about animals and friendship.
- The Night Before Thanksgiving by Natasha Wing, illustrated by Tammie Lyon
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Holiday
- Synopsis: This book is a fun, rhyming story about a family's Thanksgiving preparations and celebration, inspired by the classic poem "The Night Before Christmas."
- Why we recommend this book: It captures the excitement and joy of Thanksgiving in a way that's engaging and fun for young readers.
- Perfect for: Preschoolers who love festive stories and rhyming texts.
- Thanks for Thanksgiving by Julie Markes, illustrated by Doris Barrette
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Holiday
- Synopsis: This book offers a series of warm, simple expressions of gratitude for the many things a child might be thankful for, set against the backdrop of a family Thanksgiving celebration.
- Why we recommend this book: It encourages children to think about the many aspects of their lives for which they can be thankful.
- Perfect for: Young children learning about gratitude and family traditions.
- Turkey Trouble by Wendi Silvano, illustrated by Lee Harper
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Humor
- Synopsis: A turkey finds a clever way to avoid becoming Thanksgiving dinner in this humorous and creative story.
- Why we recommend this book: It's full of fun and giggles, perfect for keeping young readers entertained while subtly introducing the theme of problem-solving.
- Perfect for: Kids who enjoy a good laugh and creative storylines.
Educational Thanksgiving Books for 3-Year-Olds
- Thanksgiving in the Woods by Phyllis Alsdurf, illustrated by Jenny Lovlie
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Holiday
- Synopsis: This book tells the story of a family who celebrates Thanksgiving outdoors, surrounded by friends, family, and nature.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Understanding of Thanksgiving traditions, community, and nature appreciation.
- Why we recommend this book: It introduces a unique Thanksgiving tradition, encouraging children to appreciate the outdoors and the joy of community gatherings.
- Perfect for: Young children who love nature and exploring new traditions.
- A Turkey for Thanksgiving by Eve Bunting, illustrated by Diane de Groat
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Holiday
- Synopsis: Mrs. Moose wants a real turkey for her Thanksgiving feast, but Mr. Moose brings home a live one who is relieved to find out he's a guest, not the main course.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Empathy, friendship, and the concept of Thanksgiving.
- Why we recommend this book: It offers a humorous twist on the traditional Thanksgiving meal theme while teaching values of kindness and friendship.
- Perfect for: Preschoolers who enjoy stories with animals and a bit of suspense.
- Over the River: A Turkey's Tale by Derek Anderson
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Holiday
- Synopsis: Based on the classic song, this book follows a turkey's adventurous journey to escape being eaten for Thanksgiving dinner.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Rhyming skills, musical rhythm, and creative problem-solving.
- Why we recommend this book: It's a playful and lively adaptation of a familiar tune, filled with fun and adventure.
- Perfect for: Kids who love singing along and enjoy vibrant, action-packed illustrations.
- Thanksgiving Rules by Laurie Friedman, illustrated by Teresa Murfin
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Holiday
- Synopsis: Percy Isaac Gifford explains his ten rules for making the most out of the Thanksgiving holiday, from smiling at your sister to saving room for dessert.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Social skills, holiday customs, and strategic thinking (especially about desserts!).
- Why we recommend this book: It's humorous and provides a kid-friendly set of guidelines that make Thanksgiving even more enjoyable.
- Perfect for: Children who thrive on structure and those looking to get the most out of holiday celebrations.
- Sharing the Bread: An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving Story by Pat Zietlow Miller, illustrated by Jill McElmurry
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Historical Fiction
- Synopsis: Set in the 19th century, this story depicts a family working together to prepare their Thanksgiving feast, highlighting the importance of sharing and gratitude.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Historical context, teamwork, and the values of sharing and thankfulness.
- Why we recommend this book: It offers a glimpse into historical Thanksgiving celebrations and emphasizes family cooperation.
- Perfect for: Young readers interested in history and stories about family traditions.
Challenging Thanksgiving Books for 3-Year-Olds
- Gracias The Thanksgiving Turkey by Joy Cowley, illustrated by Joe Cepeda
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Holiday
- Synopsis: Young Miguel receives a turkey from his father, who instructs him to fatten it up for Thanksgiving. As Miguel cares for the turkey, named Gracias, they form a bond, making it hard for Miguel to think of Gracias as just a meal.
- Why this book is challenging: The story introduces complex themes of responsibility and ethical dilemmas, which are advanced topics for three-year-olds.
- Why we recommend this book: It provides an emotional narrative that teaches empathy and the value of life, encouraging young readers to think deeply about traditions and relationships.
- Perfect for: Children who are ready for more emotionally engaging stories.
- Thanksgiving Day Thanks by Laura Malone Elliott, illustrated by Lynn Munsinger
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Holiday
- Synopsis: Sam the bear is preparing for a Thanksgiving play at school while also trying to find the perfect way to express his gratitude for all the wonderful things in his life.
- Why this book is challenging: The book includes themes of self-expression and gratitude, woven into a narrative that requires understanding of abstract concepts like thankfulness.
- Why we recommend this book: It encourages creative expression and helps children articulate their feelings of gratitude through a relatable and engaging story.
- Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy school stories and are learning to express their own feelings of thanks.
- Thanksgiving Mice! by Bethany Roberts, illustrated by Doug Cushman
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Holiday
- Synopsis: A group of mice put on a play about the first Thanksgiving, providing a fun and lively introduction to the history of the holiday.
- Why this book is challenging: The play within the book introduces historical elements and the concept of staging a play, which are sophisticated ideas for toddlers.
- Why we recommend this book: It's a playful way to introduce historical facts through a medium that engages young children, encouraging them to learn through performing arts.
- Perfect for: Kids who love acting and storytelling.
- One Little, Two Little, Three Little Pilgrims by B.G. Hennessy, illustrated by Lynne Cravath
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Historical Fiction
- Synopsis: This book counts up to ten little Pilgrims and ten little Wampanoag boys and girls getting ready for a Thanksgiving feast, teaching numbers and a bit about the first Thanksgiving.
- Why this book is challenging: It combines counting with historical context, challenging young readers to learn about history while practicing their counting skills.
- Why we recommend this book: It offers an educational twist on counting by integrating it with a historical narrative, making learning numbers more interesting and meaningful.
- Perfect for: Preschoolers who are beginning to learn numbers and have an interest in history.
- The Firefighters' Thanksgiving by Maribeth Boelts, illustrated by Terry Widener
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Holiday
- Synopsis: A group of firefighters tries to prepare a Thanksgiving dinner at their fire station amidst numerous emergency calls that keep interrupting their feast preparations.
- Why this book is challenging: The story introduces the concept of community helpers and the sacrifices they make, which are complex ideas for very young children.
- Why we recommend this book: It teaches about community service and gratitude in a context that young children can find exciting and relatable.
- Perfect for: Young children fascinated by firefighters and those learning about community roles and responsibilities.
Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit
Reading with your little ones can be a delightful way to celebrate Thanksgiving and instill a love of books early on. Here are some fun and educational exercises designed for 3-year-olds that can accompany Thanksgiving-themed books. These activities will not only engage them but also help develop good reading habits.
- Picture Walk
- What it is: A pre-reading activity where you flip through the pages of a Thanksgiving book and discuss the pictures.
- How it helps: Encourages storytelling skills and helps children make connections between pictures and words.
- Tips: Ask questions about the pictures like "What do you think is happening here?" to stimulate imagination.
- Match the Sound
- What it is: Find objects around the house that match sounds from the Thanksgiving story.
- How it helps: Enhances phonemic awareness by connecting sounds to physical objects.
- Tips: Start with simple sounds from the book and gradually introduce more complex ones.
- Story Role-Play
- What it is: Act out scenes from the Thanksgiving book with costumes or props.
- How it helps: Boosts comprehension and memorization of the story's plot and characters.
- Tips: Let your child choose their favorite character to role-play and help them with simple costume ideas.
- Reading Circle
- What it is: Create a special reading time where family members read parts of the Thanksgiving book aloud.
- How it helps: Promotes listening skills and introduces new vocabulary in a fun setting.
- Tips: Encourage different family members to participate, making it a fun and inclusive activity.
- Create a Storyboard
- What it is: Draw and color a sequence of events from the Thanksgiving book on pieces of paper.
- How it helps: Aids in understanding the sequence of events and reinforces story recall.
- Tips: Use large sheets of paper and bold colors to make the activity more engaging for your child.
These exercises are not just fun; they're stepping stones to building a lifelong habit of reading. By incorporating these activities into your reading routine, you're setting the stage for a lot of great storytelling and learning, making this Thanksgiving not just fun but educational too!