I shared a few Thanksgiving picture books last year, and I’ve plowed through even more with my kids trying to find good options. It’s not easy to find books that represent Native Americans fairly or aren’t focused solely on turkeys. When my kids are a bit older, I’d love to read this History Smashers book about The Mayflower with them. Right now, though, we focus on gratitude, family traditions, and Native American culture.
Ready to tuck into some pumpkin pie and turkey next week? Here are some books to ring in the season with your family.
Peyton Picks the Perfect Pie by Jack Bishop. This brand-new America’s Test Kitchen picture book is darling! Peyton is a “particular” eater (not “picky”) and sticks to a limited selection of foods. Anything lumpy, sticky, gooey, or flaky is out — which means she has never tried pie. Peyton decides to be more adventurous at Thanksgiving, and her family and friends bring lots of pies to sample. What really makes this stand out is all the cultures and ethnicities. Peyton herself is part of a mixed-race family, and they have friends from France, India, and all different parts of the United States. I love that each person describes why their pie is special, too.
Thank You, Omu! by Oge Mora. I never really thought of this as a Thanksgiving book until my mom (an elementary school librarian) suggested it, but it’s a wonderful story about generosity. Omu (“queen” in the Igbo language) makes a big pot of stew, and everyone in the neighborhood keeps knocking and asking for a bowl. She happily serves everyone and never gets to eat a bowl of stew herself. Luckily, the people come back with food and surprises of their own. I adore everything Oge Mora does, and this is so heartwarming.
One Family by George Shannon. Maybe it’s because COVID-19 makes it really hard to be with families right now, but this book had me a bit teary. As it counts from one to 10, the beautiful illustrations show how different families look. Some kids live with their grandparents. Others live with one parent or with lots of siblings. It’s very inclusive and features characters of many skin colors. One page shows an old woman holding a basket full of puppies, and my kids LOVED that. This is a great book for showcasing all the different families who celebrate together.
Duck for Turkey Day by Jacqueline Jules. Anybody else think turkey can be dry and unappetizing? My husband has begun smoking ours instead of roasting it in the oven, and I much prefer it. But who says you have to have turkey for Thanksgiving anyway? In this cute story, Tuyet learns about the holiday and school and tries to convince her family they need to have a turkey for Thanksgiving. Her mom and other Vietnamese-American family members help her realize that their tradition is eating duck. When Tuyet returns to school, she learns that other classmates eat different foods for Thanksgiving, too.
Sharing the Bread: An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving Story by Pat Zietlow Miller. Sometimes it’s comforting to look back at American traditions from 150 years ago. This story shows a 19-century family working together to make dinner. The brother and sister make bread together, the father adds wood to the fire, and other family members hold different tasks. I really like the illustrations in this book, and it would be beautiful displayed on a shelf for the holiday.
Thanksgiving in the Woods by Phyllis Alsdurf. I couldn’t find this in any of my libraries, so I bought it last year and really like it. The pictures are stunning and tell the true story of a family in New York that hosts an outdoor Thanksgiving gathering every year. Even though it’s a modern story, I always think of Laura Ingalls Wilder when I read this book. The author makes me want a little cabin in the woods where I can host parties.
Not This Turkey! by Jessica Steinberg. I’m always interested in how people celebrate Thanksgiving if the holiday isn’t part of their culture. When the father of a Jewish family wins a live turkey for Thanksgiving from his work raffle, he has no idea how to get it home (he normally rides the train) or whether to cook it. His son grows to love the turkey, but they discover it’s too old and tough to eat anyway. They also discover that the kugel they normally have for Thanksgiving is just fine.
Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story by Kevin Noble Maillard. This is a fantastic story about how fry bread has an impact on Native American culture and brings people together. It also illustrates many Native American tribes and gives a lot of historical context about the food. Juana Martinez-Neal (who wrote and illustrated Alma and How She Got Her Name) does an amazing job on the pictures in this book. I can guarantee you will want a Navajo taco by the end (I want one just writing about the book).
Around the Table That Grandad Built by Melanie Heuiser Hill. There are many iterations of The House That Jack Built, and most of them do not keep the rhythm. This one does and beautifully builds to a family gathering around the table to eat. It also focuses on how everyone plays a part. The cousins pick the sunflowers, the mother makes the napkins, and of course the grandad built the table. I realized this is one I need to buy for our collection.
We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga by Traci Sorell. My family and I took a trip to Mount Rushmore this summer, and the Crazy Horse monument was a highlight. I’m so grateful my kids got to experience Native American culture and watch the beautiful dancers and see exhibits of their artwork. This book captures some of that magic with Cherokee words (including a glossary that explains pronunciation) and traditions. It also has colorful and engaging illustrations that complement the text.
I would love to hear how you’re celebrating Thanksgiving during this weird year. Any new traditions you’re implementing? Any pies I have to try?
