5 Fall and Thanksgiving Picture Books That Provide Family Activities

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If you're anything like me, Thanksgiving snuck up on you. As of Friday I thought we had at least one more week before the holiday. If you need some last minute Amazon Prime options for your road trips, plane rides, or to fill the days at home I've compiled some beautiful titles that come along with hassle-free activities and ideas. We are also still enjoying these earphones for iPad games and audio books.

A Fine Dessert by Emily Jenkins - This book tells the story of four families throughout four different centuries who serve the same dessert for Thanksgiving. The book does not gloss over what Thanksgiving looked like during our more sad and difficult times in U.S. history and allows for quality conversations with young children. At the end of the book the author shares the recipe of the fine dessert, which could make a fun activity for families to do together.

 

Sharing The Bread: An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving Story by Pat Zietlow Miller - This story is told in the early 19th century with rhyming words and old-fashioned illustrations. It shows the work and effort taken by a family to prepare a full Thanksgiving meal.  The book creates a wistful and simple tone. Reading this story each year could make a sentimental Thanksgiving tradition. Or if you're feeling industrious you might consider making paper pilgrim hats or baking bread. 

 

Giving Thanks: Poems, Prayers, and Praise Songs of Thanksgiving by Katherine Paterson - Paterson beautifully curated a book of verses of gratitude. The pages of thanks include poems and songs from various authors and cultures and are accompanied by intricate paper-cut illustrations. Families could share a poem or verse together each day at mealtime or possibly even through the Advent season.

 

 

Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade by Melissa Sweet - An interesting true story, this book takes a unique perspective on one of the most celebrated Thanksgiving traditions. The colors and collage images are vibrant and engaging. Families could create their own collages with simple construction paper cut-outs or even torn paper. 

 

 

In November by Cynthia Rylant - You can't go wrong by reading Rylant's poetry for any situation. This book in particular is cozy and heartwarming. "In November, at winter's gate, the stars are brittle. The sun is a sometime friend. And the World has tucked her children in, with a kiss on their heads, till spring." Families might want to collect leaves or paint leaves as an activity for the holiday.