Thanksgiving is one of my favorite times of the year. I always look forward to spending time feasting with family and giving thanks for all of our many blessings. As I got out our basket of Thanksgiving books, I thought I would share some of our favorites. Many of these can probably be found through your local library. Click on the book photo to get a preview of each book on Amazon.
This first book, Thanksgiving: A Time to Remember, has been a family favorite for quite a few years now. It is so beautifully done and also includes a CD of instrumental music. The readings about Thanksgiving are so nice to read together during the month.
Here are some of our favorites for the children:
The book below is a lovely picture book version of Louisa May Alcott’s An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving (illustrated by James Bernardin—there are other versions available that we don’t like parts of…this is the only one we recommend). The illustrations are so warm and homey, and the story is sweet.
Apparently the version of this book that we have (Over the River and Through the Wood, pictured above, illustrated by Iris Van Rynbach) is out of print (but you can find them used very inexpensively). I am linking to the one that states it is illustrated by Iris Van Rynbach, but I noticed that all of the reviews are talking about books illustrated by others. So, just disregard the reviews on Amazon if they mention other illustrators. I don’t know anything about the other books, just the one we have, pictured above. I love the cute illustrations. We found ours originally at the library, and then we found a used library discard book to purchase.
It’s always so nice to have Thanksgiving music playing during the month of November. The two CD’s below are ones we have really enjoyed.
Perhaps you have noticed an abundance of posts here lately? 🙂 Well, I knew that I was planning to take some time off in November and I had all these posts just begging to be shared before that time! So, now that I have all of those posts taken care of, I’ll probably be posting less frequently.
My heart’s desire is just to take some time to enjoy family and this season of thankfulness. Earlier this year (in February) my husband gave me this book for my birthday (I had hinted that I would like to read it!):
I decided the month of November would be a great time to focus on gratitude. There’s a 30-day devotional guide at the back of the book that I plan to use this month, also, in addition to my regular daily Bible reading (I’m still reading through the whole Bible this year–and I’m almost there!).
Before I go, I found a few great free resources for Thanksgiving that I wanted to share:
- Here’s a free e-book from Marilyn Moll of The Urban Homemaker, called Traditional Thanksgiving: Stress Free Plans and Easy Recipes for Busy Moms. It’s full of recipes and tips, including several recipes for using up leftover turkey.
- Make a beautiful “Thankful Tree.” There are two versions that I like: This one by Simply Vintage Girl is beautiful! This one by Playful Learning is geared toward children, and is probably what I will end up with this year. 🙂 I think the younger children would probably really enjoy doing this activity.
- Lots of preschool Thanksgiving activities at this link, including some cute hand print turkeys.
- Carolyn Mahaney’s Turkey Recipe. At the bottom of this post there is also a link to a PDF containing recipes for all the favorite side dishes her family makes. Makes me hungry just reading it. 🙂
I hope your week is abundantly blessed!
Hi Anne!
Isn't thanksgiving great? We just made our thankful tree today, and also some yarn pumpkins…so much fun! Hope your day is blessed!
Hi Joy!
Thanksgiving is one of my favorite celebrations. We have lots of the same books too. Some of them I'm reading to my little grandson now. 🙂 I don't know who enjoys them more! He really just appreciates the pictures right now. 🙂
Blessings to you,
Trish,
Thanks for your lovely comment! We have some friends who announce that they are going to have a day of "Thanksgiving" any day of the year. They do this whenever they feel the urge…not just in November. They have created their own traditions (such as serving ice cream sundaes for the main meal!), and their children think it is so special and fun. Maybe someone in another country would find it worthwhile just to celebrate their own form of "Thanksgiving" even though it wasn't tied in to the American history and traditions. Just a thought!
Rowan,
It is a great idea to study other cultures and customs…I thought I would mention that there are some other books that are similar to the pilgrim girl and boy one. One is called "On the Mayflower," by Kate Waters, and the other one is called "Pilgrims of Plymouth," by Susan E. Goodman.
Thanks, Deanna! I need to get started on my Thankful Tree soon!
Kelly,
How neat that we've used some of the same books!
Heather,
Thank you so much for your comment! I agree with you, October seemed to just fly by, didn't it?! I also need to get started on my thankful tree. I think I'll go look for the tree this afternoon. 🙂
Sarah,
I imagine it is really beautiful in Virginia! We've had some really beautiful fall color this year, too. How great that you're starting a new Bible reading plan that is encouraging you! I have really enjoyed reading straight through this year, although I'm going to plan for more in-depth study next year. 🙂
Joyfilleddays,
How nice! Thank you so much for sharing the link, and for your encouraging comment! 🙂
Hi Joy! One of my friends just asked me for my opinion about picture book ideas for her kids for Thanksgiving. I was mulling that over when I got this post, and we have used MANY of the same books and resources…so now I am just sending her this URL. 🙂 Lovely post.
Hi Joy, this IS a lovely time of year! Thanks for sharing all your exciting resources with us. It has turned much colder here in Virginia and the leaves are breathtaking!
By the way, I stumbled upon your post about reading the Bible in a year (with the links to versions of it) and determined that even though it was August, I'd start. I chose the Bible Story one and have been diligently making my way thru. I had tried before, starting in Genesis and felt overwhelmed. This version has helped me so much and I'm enjoying God's word as never before – thanks for sharing!
Bless you!
Joy,
Thank you so much for sharing all of these great resources! I have some of them already and a couple of others I have added to my Amazon cart. ;o) I have been enjoying your blog and I think this is my first time to comment.
We are going to have a thankful tree too. I better get my leaves cut out! Where did October go? ;o)
Blessings on your day!
Good Morning Joy!
Thank you for sharing the wonderful Thanksgiving resources. Some we own, some we've used and some are new, how fun!
Joy,
What a wonderful post full of resources!
I will check them out! Enjoy your month of gratitude – I have already decided to do a thankful tree as well!
Deanna
We don't have Thanksgiving in the UK but I still like the look of some of the books that you mention. My two grandsons are homeschooled and my DIL likes to teach them about other cultures and customs so I think I shall look for the two books about the Pilgrim children. Enjoy your month and the holiday.
Hi Joy,
it looks like you have a lot of wonderful resources for celebrating Thanksgiving.
I wish we had an equivalent holiday here in Australia.
I do so enjoy seeing how everyone "up north" is giving thanks and decorating their homes at this time of the year.
Enjoy your family gatherings 🙂
blessings..Trish