Thanksgiving Books To Read With Your Preschooler

Thanksgiving is a time for practicing gratitude and learning about a piece of our country’s history. There are many ways that parents can accomplish this with their children, even the preschooler. Children at this age are quick learners and are able to grasp concepts better than we think. One of the best ways to teach preschoolers is through reading, which helps develop their brains as well as their character.

Read on for a brief list of book suggestions to teach the concepts of Thanksgiving to your three- or four-year-old.

How To Read To Your Preschooler

For children with limited attention spans, books are a great way to occupy them. You can read each book straight through, but another way to keep children engaged is to point at various objects on the pages and identify them. You can also ask them to name the colors that they see, or count how many turkeys or plates they see at the illustrated table. As you read each page, ask your child what he or she thinks is going to happen next. You can also have them act out their favorite part.

Preschool-Appropriate Books About Thanksgiving

Below is a brief list of children’s books that explore both the history and important themes of Thanksgiving. Not only will you enjoy spending quality time with your preschooler, but you will also enjoy seeing them make connections and learn practices of gratitude that they can use in everyday life.

I am Thankful: A Thanksgiving Book for Kids By Sheri Wall

This delightful book is written for a young audience, but older family members can enjoy reflecting on what they are thankful for, taking in the colorful illustrations. The rhyming makes it even more fun for kids, who may be able to commit verses to memory. The book follows three families preparing for the Thanksgiving meal as they reflect on what they are grateful for. This is a wonderful concept to adopt in your home year-round!

Sharing the Bread: An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving Story By Pat Zietlow Miller

From an author whose work focuses on other character themes such as being kind comes a book about sharing. Written in delightful rhymes that kids will love, Miller shows us a 19th-century family preparing for Thanksgiving dinner, told from the perspective of a young child. This book is excellent for the insight it provides into the past and how people used to live, which young children will be fascinated by (have them imagine life without electricity!).

Bear Says Thanks By Karma Wilson

Part of the beloved Bear series, this book isn’t specifically about Thanksgiving. However, it does focus on a group of animal friends preparing a feast. As they do so, they express gratitude for each other and the gifts they have received. Children of all ages will love reading about these delightful animals.

The First Thanksgiving: A Lift-the-Flap Book By Nancy Davis

Recreate the excitement of the very first Thanksgiving with this lift-the-flap book, engaging minds and little fingers. This story recounts how the Pilgrims came to America, where they encountered Native Americans who taught them to plant food in unfamiliar soil. The simple text paired with bright illustrations makes for a wonderful reading experience for preschoolers.

Squanto’s Journey: The Story Of The First Thanksgiving By Joseph Bruchac

Children will be fascinated to learn that the titular Squanto was a real person: a part of the Pokanoket tribe, who welcomed the pilgrims and taught them survival skills. This book tells how the Pilgrims and Native Americans harvested and then ate together, which is why families have turkey feasts every year to this day: four hundred years later!

How Reading Supports Early Literacy

Good reading habits start early – long before children are old enough to start learning letters. Reading is far more than a bonding experience between parents and children, although that is very important. Early reading supports literacy, which is a lifelong skill. Reading is an activity that sharpens the mind while also helping children learn valuable life lessons and concepts, such as empathy, resilience, kindness, and much more.

Children who see themselves in their favorite characters can feel seen and validated, while learning to emulate the values communicated through the story. Local libraries are a wonderful place to develop a love of books, as well as many reading programs that provide books to children for free.

Find The Right Child Care Program For Your Preschooler

Providence Children’s Academy is a renowned facility for young children in Coconut Creek, Florida. Our curriculum focuses on many areas of growth, such as fine and gross motor skills, literacy, language, social-emotional development, and much more. All of this happens in a safe, nurturing environment with the finest staff in smaller classrooms than what you’ll find in public schools: this ensures more individualized attention for children.

To learn more about our curriculum, schedule a tour, or find out if your child is ready to start school, call today at 954-570-6914. We hope to see your child enrolled next fall!