Halloween gets lots of hoopla. There are the costumes and the candy. It's a fun holiday to be sure but I really love Thanksgiving. I always hope that it brings my family into a frame of mind for the reason of the season for Christmas. I hope that beyond all of the turkey and trimmings, we are all becoming more mindful of our blessings. One of the ways that we can begin our journey with young children towards the reason for the season is to stock up with more than stuffing ingredients. Children's books can open doors to talk about more than just talking turkey. Here are just a few of favorite Thanksgiving children's books.
'A Turkey for Thanksgiving' by Eve Bunting
Eve Bunting is a favorite children's book writer. We love the funny surprise ending in "A Turkey for Thanksgiving." Just what did Mrs. Moose mean when she told Mr. Moose she'd like to have a turkey for Thanksgiving? You might be relieved. The turkey sure was.
''Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving' by Dave Pilkey
This fun rhyming book is the Thanksgiving version of classic 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. Author Dave Pilkey gets us in the mood as "all through the trees, the fall leaves fell spinning aloft in the breeze."
'Thank You for Thanksgiving' by Dandi Daley Mackall
This is the first year I found "Thank You for Thanksgiving" and I really love it. The watercolor pictures are really attractive but my favorite part of this story is the family's Thanksgiving prayer.
'Cranberry Thanksgiving' by Wendi and Harry Devlin
This is an oldie but goodie. It was written in 1971, when I was a mere infant, but to children, those are ancient times. Still, they like this Thanksgiving story, too. Grandmother doesn't want Mr. Whiskers to come to her Thanksgiving and she's not happy that he was invited -- something all kids can relate to at one time or another. As a bonus, you'll find Grandmother's Cranberry Bread recipe in the back.
'P is for Pilgrim: A Thanksgiving Alphabet' by Carol Crane
"P is for Pilgrim" was a thoughtful Thanksgiving gift for my son several years ago that we really enjoy reading all year long. It reads like a rhyming alphabet book on one side of the page as in "On Ocean seas, an overcrowded ship, a baby's first cry is heard. Oceanus Hopkins is born, a life for the new world occurred." The other side offers more in depth history.
Clifford, Dora, Franklin, Arthur and many of your children's favorite book characters all have a story to tell at Thanksgiving. This Thanksgiving as we all take time to be thankful, be sure to include time reading some old and new favorite children's books that remind us all to be thankful for more than just turkey. Reading aloud to children is just much more than just stuffing. We all get the "wishbone" when we snuggle up and read a Thanksgiving books together.
More Thanksgiving family fun from this Yahoo! Network Featured Contributor:
Native American Crafts & Activities
Handmade Gifts for the Thanksgiving Hostess
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