Looking for some great kid-tested, librarian-approved books for Thanksgiving? The children's librarians at the Free Library have put together a list of their favorites. Their comments about some of the books are included below.
Fiction
Gus the Pilgrim Turkey by Theresa Bateman
Gracias the Thanksgiving Turkey by Joy Cowley
One is a Feast for Mouse by Judy Cox
Feast for 10 by Cathryn Falwell - "It's not a Thanksgiving book per se, but the rhyme is terrific and it's about a family preparing a meal, from shopping for ingredients to eating it together."
One Little, Two Little, Three Little Pilgrims by B.G. Hennessy - "Tells the pilgrim/Indian story, values contributions of both."
I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie by Alison Jackson
Happy Thanksgiving by Margaret McNamara - "In the Robin Hill School Ready-To-Read series."
Setting the Turkeys Free by W. Nikola-Lisa - "Though not a traditional 'Thanksgiving' story it is a highly imaginative adventure story that features turkeys and is a nice addition when doing a Thanksgiving-themed story time. In this fun story, a young boy creates 'handprint' turkeys that come to life and he must protect them. It's a fun read aloud and I always have everyone's attention when I read this one!"
Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving by Dav Pilkey
Thanksgiving Day by Anne Rockwell - "It shows how the Native Americans helped the new settlers and has great illustrations. This is a Native American friendly book that tells the story of the first Thanksgiving via a group of multi-cultural children performing a holiday play. It celebrates the spirit of friendship, sharing and being thankful."
Turk and Runt by Lisa Wheeler
The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams - "Interactive with hand motions and sounds! The little old lady runs into pants, shirts, shoes, a hat, gloves and a pumpkin head and puts them all together for a scare (a scarecrow)."
Non-Fiction
Feeling Thankful by Shelley Rotner and Sheila Kelly - "This is a non-fiction book that depicts pre-school and school-age children recounting the things in their life they are most thankful for."
Pumpkin Circle: The Story of a Garden by George Levenson - "Nonscary book with great pictures about the lifecycle of a pumpkin including the jack-o-lantern stage."
Thanksgiving Day at Our House: Thanksgiving Poems for the Very Young by Nancy White Carlstrom - "I like to intersperse Thanksgiving story times with a few selections from this book. Can be used with Preschool up to Grade 4 or so."
Thanks a Million by Nikki Grimes - "Mostly for an older audience, but some poems may appeal to a preschool audience."
Of course, story time at the Free Library isn't just about sitting and listening to a great book. Here are some terrific Thanksgiving songs and rhymes, courtesy of the children's librarians, for kids to sing and recite. Some of them have actions, too - try them out, if you don't mind acting like a turkey!
Sing “If you’re happy and you know it,” substituting the word “thankful” for “happy.” Instead of shouting “hooray” at the end, shout “thank you!”
Turkey Jurky
(Sung to the tune of "Hokey Pokey")
You put your right wing in
You put your right wing out
You put your right wing in and you shake it all about
You do the Turkey Jurky and you turn yourself around
That's what it's all about!
The Turkey Dance
(Sung to the tune of "Turkey in the Straw")
Oh, you turkey to the left (two steps to the left)
And you turkey to the right (two steps to the right)
Then you heel and toe (do motion with foot)
And you scratch with all your might. (scratch with foot)
Now you flap your turkey wings (put thumbs in armpits and flap)
While your head goes bobble,bobble. (wobble head)
Turn around and then you say, (turn around)
"Gobble, gobble, gobble!"
Turkey Dinner
(Sung to the tune of "Frere Jacques")
Turkey dinner, turkey dinner,
Gather round, gather round,
Who will get the drumstick?
Yummy, yummy drumstick,
All sit down, all sit down,
Cornbread muffins, chestnut stuffing,
Puddin’ pie, one foot high,
All of us were thinner
Until we came to dinner;
Me oh my! Me oh my!
The Turkey
The turkey is a funny bird.
[Hook thumbs together and spread fingers to create turkey tail.]
Its head goes wobble, wobble.
[Wobble head back and forth.]
And all it knows is just one word:
[Hold up one finger.]
"Gobble, gobble, gobble."
[Make mouth shape with hand, opening and closing it while sounding like a turkey.]
The Turkey II
I'm a turkey, big and fat.
[Spread arms out.]
I spread my tail. I walk like that.
[Fan fingers like a turkey's tail; Waddle.]
Each day's corn I will not miss,
[Rub stomach.]
And when I talk, I sound like this:
[Point to lips; Cup hand next to ear.]
GOBBLE! GOBBLE! GOBBLE!
[Shout.]
Run Turkey Run
(Sun to the tune of “Farmer in the Dell”)
Run turkey run (running motion)
Run turkey run (running motion)
It’s almost Thanksgiving time
Run turkey run (running motion)
Roll pumpkin roll (roll hands)
Roll pumpkin roll (roll hands)
It’s almost Thanksgiving time
Roll pumpkin roll (roll hands)
Grow corn grow (jump up)
Grow corn grow (jump up)
It’s almost Thanksgiving time
Grow corn grow (jump up)
Mash potatoes mash (pound fists)
Mash potatoes mash (pound fists)
It’s almost Thanksgiving time
Mash potatoes mash (pound fists)
Eat your apple pie (eating motion)
Eat your apple pie (eating motion)
It is now Thanksgiving time
Eat your apple pie (eating motion)
Run turkey run (running motion)
Run turkey run (running motion)
It’s almost Thanksgiving time
Run turkey run (running motion)
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