Gobble Gobble Good Thanksgiving Read Alouds

Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday full of family, friends and food.  So much food!  Whether you are teaching about the first Thanksgiving, or just having some turkey themed fun, there is a Thanksgiving read aloud perfect for the occasion.  These fun Thanksgiving read alouds are great for discussion and each one can be paired with a cute Thanksgiving craft.  

This page contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, we will get a small commission with no additional cost to you.

Teacher reading the children's book How to Catch a Turkey

Turkey Read Alouds

It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without the turkey . . . books I mean.  Below are some fun and adorable books about turkeys.

Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving written and illustrated by Dav Pilkey

Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving book

This fun and silly book is about how 8 children on a field trip to Farmer Mack Nugget’s farm react when they find out what is going to happen to the 8 adorable turkeys they have befriended.  Not to worry, no turkeys are harmed in this book.

A Plump and Perky Turkey by Teresa Bateman, illustrated by Jeff Shelly

This Thanksgiving turkey story is about a clever turkey named Pete.  Pete has to outwit the people of Squawk Valley or else he will become the main course for their Thanksgiving dinner. 

A Plump and Perky Turkey book

Turkey Trouble by Wendi Silvano, illustrated by Lee Harper

Turkey Trouble childrens's book.

Turkey was in trouble.  It was almost Thanksgiving and he didn’t want to be the main course, so he makes costumes to disguise himself as other animals.  “His costumes weren’t bad.”  This enjoyable book is both clever and funny, just like Turkey.  Marc Maron does a very entertaining online read aloud for Storyline Online.

How to Catch a Turkey written by Adam Wallace and illustrated by Andy Elkerton

This turkey read aloud is from the bestselling series, How to Catch a . . .  It will take your class on a wild turkey chase through the school, all because the turkey has a bad case of stage fright.  Will they catch the turkey in time to save the Thanksgiving show?

How to Catch a Turkey book

Being Thankful

The following books will inspire children to remember all the things they have to be thankful for.  Afterall, isn’t that what Thanksgiving is about?

Thanks for Thanksgiving by Julie Markes, illustrated Doris Barrette

Thanks for Thanksgiving picture book

Children will relate to this beautiful rhyming book and the many things the characters are thankful for, whether it’s school, turkey or cuddles from mom.  This book will get your children thinking about and discussing what they are thankful for.

Giving Thanks A Native American Good Morning Message by Chief Jake Swamp, illustrated by Erwin Printup, Jr.

This gorgeous book has a simple and beautiful message of thanks for all that Mother Earth provides.  According to the Author’s Note this book is based on the Thanksgiving Address, “an ancient message of peace and appreciation for Mother Earth and all her inhabitants.”  

Giving Thanks A Native American Good Morning Message picture book

Giving Thanks by Jonathan London, paintings by Gregory Manchess

Giving Thanks-a picture book

In this sweet story a father teaches his son how to see the beauty all around and give thanks to it.  The paintings are beautiful.  Jonathan London has given us a wonderful book to help us appreciate and be thankful for nature.

The First Thanksgiving

In the United States when we think of the first Thanksgiving, we think of the harvest feast in 1621 celebrated by the Plymouth colonists (Pilgrims) and the Wampanoag (Native Americans).  Here are two cute books about the first Thanksgiving that kindergartners will enjoy.

The Very First Thanksgiving Day by Rhonda Gowler Greene, illustrated by Susan Gaber

This lyrical book reminds me of the nursery rhyme The House that Jack Built.  It tells the story of the journey of the Mayflower, the plight of the Pilgrims and the helpfulness of the Native Americans.  The story ends as it begins with the Thanksgiving feast.  This is a very pretty rhyming picture book. 

The Very First Thanksgiving Day picture book

One Little, Two Little, Three Little Pilgrims by B.G. Hennessy, illustrated by Lynne Avril Cravath

One Little, Two Little, Three Little Pilgrims picture book

This adorable counting book tells the story of ten little Pilgrim and ten little Wampanoag children working very hard to get ready for the harvest feast they will share.    This fun Thanksgiving read aloud includes an author’s note with questions and answers about how this book relates to the first Thanksgiving.

nine Thanksgiving picture books

List of the Best Thanksgiving Read Alouds for Kindergarten

The following books contain affiliate links.  If you make a purchase, we will get a small commission with no additional cost to you.

More Helpful Resources from 4 Kinder Teachers

We hope you find this blog helpful.  If you are looking for some more teacher approved resources and great activities to do with your kindergartners read Thanksgiving Activities for Kindergarten, Veterans Day Activities for Kindergarten, and Blast Off with Great Resources and Moon Activities for Kindergarten.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More Blog Posts

4-kinder-teachers

Hi, we're Jackie, LeighAnn and Jessica

We are a team of kindergarten teachers turned educational consultants.  We help teachers like you with:

  • easy to implement resources
  • kindergarten curriculum
  • fantastic ideas and tips to start in your classroom immediately

Our goal is to help you achieve success in your classroom while having fun with your students!

Subscribe to get the latest updates and all the freebies!

On the blog...