We are a week away from Thanksgiving, so why am I just writing this post? It has taken me forever to think what books I wanted to share with you. Why? Thanksgiving, the holiday, is complicated, really complicated. Thanksgiving as we were taught in school is a gross misinterpretation of history, an elevation of a murderer to a god-like status, and extremely hurtful to a beautiful nation of people. Last year, as a kindergarten mom I was appalled to find out that schools were still teaching this revisionist history.

So, I guess I’m answering my own question. Why am I just now writing this post? because it’s complicated and I needed to sort out my feelings, do my research and be very clear on why, with all of these mixed feelings I am STILL not cancelling Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving needs to be updated, truth needs to be told and healing needs to occur, but I still believe it’s a worthwhile tradition. I, myself, am not qualified to educate you on the wrong history on this holiday but I invite you to do your own research. You can start here at OYATE’s website, or check out the Columbus episode on the First Name Basis Podcast, even a google search will help to get you started on your journey to truth.

Growing up Thanksgiving was the one time of year my family could all gather, cook, play and celebrate life together. Thanksgiving was a week long vacation, a reunion for us, and it holds so many special memories. So rather than ignore the one holiday where we actually pause to acknowledge how blessed we are as a people and a country, I am pointing my children and this book list towards celebrating Native American Heritage month, toward slowing down gathering and cooking together and toward the very needed practice of giving thanks.

Feast For 10 by Cathyrn Falwell

A joyous counting book that follows a happy family as the shop, prepare and sit down to eat a large meal. It’s one of the first holiday books I bought for the girls and it’s followed up by a Feast For Christmas. (which we also own). It’s so wonderful to see a Black family enjoying each other and the holidays in a children’s book.

We are Grateful: Otsaliheliga by Traci Sorell

Otsaliheliga, means for all who came before us, those here now, and those yet to come. From a member of the Cherokee nation (meaning this is an OWN voices book) comes this beautiful look into offers readers a look at contemporary Cherokee life as she follows a family through the seasons of the year their ceremonies and festivals. It is a reminder to celebrate our blessings and struggles daily.

Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story by Kevin Noble Maillard

Winner of too many awards to count, this 2019 show stealer deep dives into the Native American tradition of fry bread which is a staple food that spans many DIFFERENT tribes and nations. This book which is as warm and delightful as fry bread itself, brings to life how this food brings people together and affirms Native American pride. Just go ahead and buy this one, It’ll be next year before you can check this one out at the library. The holds at the library are crazy bananas this year.

I Am Thankful: A Thanksgiving Book for Kids by Sheri Wall

(NEW) Follow three diverse families as they celebrate the thanksgiving season in their own unique ways. Family gatherings, shopping, hiking, giving back . This book also includes some ideas on a gratitude practice in the back.

My Heart Fills With Happiness by Monique Gray Smith

This is a beautiful full color board book that lists all the things that a Cree girl is thankful for. With simple text, it allows you to pause and reflect on each gift: singing, stories, drumming, bannock bread that fills her heart with happiness. Ending with the question: What fills your heart with happiness would make this a great interactive read-aloud.

Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message by Chief Jake Swamp

I’m old enough to remember and love the show Reading Rainbow. This book from the reading rainbow series is narrated by Chief Jake Swamp and is a Native American Thanksgiving address of peace and appreciation of mother earth, all her inhabitants, and her gifts of animals, weather, and the heavens. It is still spoken at ceremonial gatherings held by the Iroquois, or Six Nations.

Thank You, Omu! by Oge Mora

Hands down one of my favorite children’s books. Oge Mora’s illustrations are scrumptious and the repetitive language and the themes of sharing what you have, and giving back make this read-a-loud gold. Omu makes a wonderful delicious red soup, she can’t wait to eat it for dinner, but everyone in the community begins to smell it too. She keeps giving soup to all that ask for a bowl. Will Omu have any left for herself?

Thanks a Million by Nikki Grimes

16 sweet simple poems in both rhyme, haiku and riddle form. The illustrations are beautiful and artistic and would be great to recreate with a budding artist. This would also make a great addition to a Thanksgiving themed poetry tea-time.

Bear Says Thanks by Karma Wilson

I have read Bear snores on and Bear Says Thanks every season for AT LEAST the past 5 years. This bear series of books by Karma Wilson is so sweet and read-a-loud friendly, it is one of my go to’s for storytime. Bear wants to give his friends a big feast to say thanks, each of them brings something to the feast. There is only one problem, Bear’s cupboards are bare. What will he do? A universally needed message of bringing what you have to the table and acceptance make this book a winner.

Peppa Pig and the Day of Giving Thanks by Candlewick Press

We love Peppa Pig in this house, so a big thank you to Candlewick Press for sending this one our way. Peppa and her family explore fall and all of the things to be thankful for, even the rain. This one is holiday neutral and simply talks about thankfulness as a concept. No turkeys and no feasts here.

Gracias the Thanksgiving Turkey by Joy Cowley

Where do you keep a turkey in a new York City apartment? Miguel is about to find out. When his Papa sends him a turkey to fatten up for Thanksgiving, his brother, his Abuelo and Abuela have a big feathery problem on their hands. This bi-lingual story about a puerto-rican family is a charming story about community and thankfulness. (spoiler alert: this book saves the turkey too!)

Duck for Turkey Day by Jaqueline Jules

Every culture…every household celebrates Thanksgiving in it’s own way (the stuffing vs dressing debate is serious). Tuyet, a young Vietnamese girl is upset to learn that unlike her classmates her mother is serving Duck instead of turkey for thanksgiving. When she returns to school will her classmates laugh at her or will they accept her differences?

God Gave Us Thankful Hearts by Lisa Tawn Bergen

I have come back to this series of books by Lisa Bergen over and over again to explain the more complicated things about our faith and the holidays to both my kids and my prek classes. A glum fox and his wise mom go on a walk and look at all of the wonderful ways that God gives us things to be thankful for, even when we don’t feel it. (hello 2020). The changes of the season in the forest, fall harvest celebrations, the animals preparations to hibernate and a warm home make this one of my favorite of the series. .

Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving by Day Pilkey

Okay so I almost wasn’t going to include this because I can imagine a sensitive child being really upset by the visual of Farmer McNugget with his ax, but it’s a really funny and cute take on how a diverse class of school kids saves a flock of turkeys on the night before Thanksgiving. It is told in the style of Clement C. Moore’s classic poem and will definitely get some laughs, especially if you are a vegan family. #savetheturkeys

Giving Thanks by Katherine Paterson

I heart this library discovery. It is a collection of poems, prayers and blessings from several cultures and faiths. From Native American, to African-American, to Celtic to Christian. From Gandhi, Bishop Desmond Tutu, to the Dali Lama our world and our varied cultures all celebrate a practice of Thanksgiving in different ways and it is beautiful to behold in one collection. With die-cut paper illustrations this one is a keepsake.

A Few Honorable Mentions…

Don’t Let Auntie Mabel Bless the Table by Vanessa Brantley Newton

Oh my goodness, what a hilarious and accurate portrayal of the tradition of Sunday dinner. Auntie Mabel has taken it upon herself to bless the table, and she begins to thank God for EVERYTHING. Her blessing is so long, food gets cold, children are playing and some family members have fallen asleep. I’ve only known Vanessa Brantley Newton as an illustrator but she should definitely write more.

Around the Table That Grandad Built by Melanie Heuiser Hill

Rhyming story that follows the familiar pattern of “This is the House that Jack Built”. A family, friends and neighbors gather around a table decked with things that everyone has brought to share. Community, gathering, food and fun. This one is short and sweet and cute!

Balloons Over Broadway: The story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade by Melissa Sweet

This book is sold out and checked out, but I wanted to include it in my roundup because my love of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade is DEEP. I have been several times, and actually being in it is on my bucket list. This is the story of Tony Sarg, and his inspired gift to America in the designing of the iconic balloons that anchor the parade. For our family, Thanksgiving Day starts with the parade. It is for me one of the highlights Thanksgiving day!