Thanksgiving is a wonderful opportunity to share stories that teach gratitude, celebrate family traditions, and explore honest, age-appropriate history. Whether you’re homeschooling or teaching in the classroom, having a balanced mix of nonfiction, historically accurate reads, fun stories, and educational fiction can help your learners gain a fuller understanding of the season.

Here is a curated list of Thanksgiving read-alouds for Preschool through 6th Grade, organized by type so you can easily build lessons your students will love!

HONEST HISTORY & NONFICTION

⭐ 1621: A New Look at Thanksgiving (Grades 3–6)

A powerful resource that uses primary sources and modern Wampanoag perspectives to explain what actually happened during the 1621 harvest gathering.

⭐ Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message (Grades K–4)

Written by Chief Jake Swamp, this book is based on the Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address and honors Indigenous perspectives and gratitude.

⭐ If You Lived During the Plimoth Thanksgiving (Grades 2–6)

A child-friendly, fact-based book that contrasts Pilgrim and Wampanoag life while dispelling common myths.

⭐ The People Shall Continue (Grades 3–6)

Not a Thanksgiving-specific book, but perfect for providing historical context about Native history before, during, and after European settlement.

⭐ The First Nations of North America series (Grades K–6)

Choose titles focusing on the Wampanoag to provide accurate information about their culture, history, and modern life.

EDUCATIONAL FICTION

🍁 The Very First Americans (Grades 1–4)

A simple, illustrated introduction to different Native cultures across North America—great for grounding Thanksgiving in real history.

🍁 Squanto’s Journey (Grades 2–5)

Told from Squanto’s point of view, this book strives to honor his story with more accuracy and depth than many traditional tales.

🍁 The Story of the Pilgrims (Grades K–2)

A gentle introduction appropriate for younger kids, focusing on community and cooperation while leaving room for deeper discussion as students grow.

🍁 The Circle of Thanks: Native American Poems and Songs (Grades 1–6)

A mix of poetry, cultural understanding, and beautiful illustrations that expand students’ idea of gratitude.

FUN & SILLY THANKSGIVING STORIES

These make great warm-ups, end-of-day reads, or brain breaks while still tying into the holiday theme.

🦃 Turkey Trouble (Preschool–3rd)

A laugh-out-loud story where Turkey tries disguises to avoid becoming Thanksgiving dinner.

🦃 How to Catch a Turkey (Preschool–2nd)

Silly, rhyming, and full of energy—great for keeping little ones engaged.

🦃 The Great Turkey Race (K–3)

Three turkeys compete in a goofy contest to see who will become the Thanksgiving bird of honor.

🦃 A Plump and Perky Turkey (Preschool–3rd)

A fun rhyming story with a clever twist ending.

🦃 10 Fat Turkeys (Preschool–1st)

Short, funny, and perfect for emergent readers.

HEARTWARMING GRATITUDE & FAMILY STORIES

🍂 Gracias / Thanks (K–4)

A bilingual gratitude story celebrating the big and small moments children appreciate.

🍂 Thank You, Sarah: The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving (Grades 2–6)

A fun, feminist, fact-based story about how Sarah Hale worked to establish Thanksgiving as a national holiday.

🍂 Balloons Over Broadway (Grades 1–6)

Not about Pilgrims or Native Americans—but a wonderful seasonal read aloud about the creator of the Macy’s parade balloons.

🍂 Over the River and Through the Wood (Preschool–3rd)

A charming holiday classic about family gatherings.

🍂 The Thank You Book (Preschool–1st)

A sweet picture book on gratitude perfect for younger learners.

FOR PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN (GENTLE, AGE-APPROPRIATE PICKS)

These books avoid heavy or inaccurate Pilgrim–Native narratives while introducing concepts like gratitude, sharing, and fall traditions.

• Bear Says Thanks

• Thanks for Thanksgiving

  

• Sharing the Bread: An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving Story

• Llama Llama Gives Thanks

• Thankful (Eileen Spinelli)

How to Use These Read-Alouds in Your Homeschool or Classroom

• Pair nonfiction titles with simple discussion questions (e.g., “What’s something new you learned about the Wampanoag?”).

• Use silly books as warm-ups before transitioning into deeper lessons.

• Add a writing prompt after historical reads.

• Incorporate gratitude stories into morning meetings or journaling.

• Create a mini-unit: 1 nonfiction, 1 honest-history, 1 fun story, and 1 gratitude story per week.

This Thanksgiving read-aloud guide brings together a thoughtfully curated collection of books for preschool through 6th grade, blending honest history, engaging nonfiction, meaningful educational fiction, and fun seasonal stories. From titles that highlight accurate Native American perspectives to silly turkey adventures that keep younger learners laughing, this list provides a balanced approach to learning about the holiday. Whether you’re a homeschool parent or classroom teacher, these read-alouds will help you spark meaningful conversations, build cultural understanding, and enjoy the warmth and gratitude of the season.