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Eight Thanksgiving Books I’m Thankful For

ByDiana Barto

Outside my window, hot pink geraniums are blooming happily like summer is still here. But just behind the flowers, the sugar maple tree is ablaze with orange-yellow leaves and isn’t fooled. Soon all the fall color in my backyard will fade away, leaving the trees thin and bare. Days will grow even shorter, and that lonesome north wind will howl in the night.

Beauty in nature is hard to find in a Minnesota November. It’s easy to slip into complaining and feeling discontent. But then the calendar reminds me that Thanksgiving is coming. Is it too corny to say I am thankful for Thanksgiving?

Counting blessings helps me see that God’s grace still abounds with every breath I take, and God’s word reminds me yet again that I need to keep speaking the language of thanks. Praise and gratitude should forever be on my lips, not just because it makes my soul joyful, but also because giving thanks glorifies Jehovah Jireh, the LORD Who Provides. He is indeed the Giver of every good and perfect gift. (James 1:17)

To help embrace the month of Thanksgiving with that attitude, here’s a list of eight Thanksgiving-themed books that I have loved reading aloud with my family.

Almost Home: A Story Based on the Life of the Mayflower’s Mary Chilton by Wendy Lawton
This is a well-researched, 140-page chapter book in the “Daughters of the Faith” series. It relays the story of 13-year-old Mary Chilton, who also sailed on the Mayflower and bravely began a new life in Plymouth. I especially appreciate how this story begins with the persecution these believers endured before leaving for America, as that puts their situation into context. I also appreciate the brief yet helpful glossary of unfamiliar terms at the back. This book would be suitable for youth in upper elementary grades and up.

Over the River and Through the Wood: A Thanksgiving Poem by Lydia Maria Child, illustrated by Christopher Manson
I immediately fell in love with this picture book when my sweet friend read it during a November story time at the library years ago. Of course, a few lines of the poem were already quite familiar to me, as they likely will be to you. But how delightful to have the entire poem as well as fantastic woodcut art to illustrate it! This is a treasure for all ages.

A Light Kindled: The Story of Priscilla Mullins by Tracy M. Leininger, illustrated by Kelly Pulley and Lisa Reed
This nicely illustrated, 60-page chapter book tells of the faith and courage of Priscilla Mullins, who was 18 years old when she sailed to America in the Mayflower in 1620. As one of only four women who survived the Pilgrims’ first winter, Priscilla endured many hardships and relied on God for strength through loss and trials. I suggest this one for school-aged kids and any younger person who will listen to chapter books. I am sad to say this one is out of print, but check your library or used book sites like Thriftbooks.com.

The Thanksgiving Story by Alice Dalgliesh, illustrated by Helen Sewell
This charming picture book on Thanksgiving was published in 1954, and it received a Caldecott Honor. Alice Dalgliesh is one of my favorite children’s book authors, and I like that she includes a tidbit about the wash day the Mayflower women had shortly after arriving at Plymouth. Clean clothes are indeed something to thank God for! Can you even begin to imagine how disgusting those clothes must have smelled after that lengthy ocean journey and all the illness on board?

Thank You, Sarah: The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving by Laurie Halse Anderson, illustrated by Matt Faulkner
When my dear friend Julie read this picture book two years ago, she right away knew that I would love it because it is a true story about the first female magazine editor in America. With an informal and humorous tone, the book explains how Sarah Hale used her pen to “save” Thanksgiving by arguing for it to be a national holiday. Like me, you may have to forgive Mrs. Hale for also arguing against pie for breakfast. (I mean, why should we not eat pie for breakfast?) This one is great for all ages.

The First Thanksgiving by Linda Hayward, illustrated by James Watling
When my daughters were learning to read on their own, this “Step into Reading” series was a great fit because the stories and illustrations are well done. I like that this early reader about Thanksgiving was well-researched and informative.

Give Thanks to the LORD by Karma Wilson, illustrated by Amy June Bates
Written in rhyming verses, this picture book is about a family feasting at Thanksgiving and celebrates Psalm 92. It is short and delightful to read. The illustrations are so warm and cozy that I can almost smell the turkey in the oven.

An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving by Louisa May Alcott, illustrated by James Bernardin
The text for this 32-page picture book comes from what originally was a longer story published in 1882, so the content has been significantly abridged and adapted. Usually, that would deter me. But the illustrations by James Bernardin are so captivating that I could not resist this version of the book, and I found the story is still quite worthwhile. [Editor’s note: You can find the full text of the story right here.]

Diana Barto
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