Best Fiction Picture Books for Thanksgiving

This post is my final one on Thanksgiving for the year.  I was hoping to include one on holiday chapter books, but it will have to wait until next year.  There are dozens of fiction stories that take place during the holiday.  These are my favorites. 

The Firefighters' Thanksgiving (ages 4-9) by Maribeth Boelts
The firefighters at Station 1 try all day to prepare for their Thanksgiving meal.  A steady flow of calls prompt them to stop preparations mid-stream which ends with the food spoiling each time. Fortunately, some people in the community leave them a feast of food and note of thanksgiving.  

Why I Chose It:  It tugged at my heart strings when the people came by with food for the firefighters.  I love that this story highlights an important group of community helpers and their sacrifice (daily and on holidays).  This picture books captures a snapshot of life at a fire station (working together, constant interruptions, fighting fires, cleaning the equipment, and so forth) which I appreciate because it helps us think of others during the holidays (and might even prompt some to show some generosity toward our community helpers working during the holdiays).

Thanksgiving Mice (ages 2-6) by Bethany Roberts
A group of four delightful mice put on a play for the animals in the forest.   Using a simple story within a story narrative, the mice work on the set and props.  Then, they re-enact the Pilgrims’ landing in America, their first year, and their bountiful harvest the following year.  Overall, the essence of the Pilgrims experience is shown with some slight mice sized differences. 

Why I Chose It: The illustrations and the simple text are ideal for younger readers.  The basic facts of the first Thanksgiving are presented with vibrant colors. Delightful mice are more familiar to preschools than Pilgrims which makes it more accessible to the audience.  The narrative is also an introduction to theater since it shows briefly the preparation and production of a play. 

The Perfect Thanksgiving (ages 4-9) by Eileen Spinelli
A young girl describes Thanksgiving at her friend’s house and at her house.  Her friend has a “perfect” Thanksgiving with lace napkins, lit candles, and a golden turkey.  In contrast, the narrator’s Thanksgiving includes a burnt turkey, spills, and a smoke alarm going off.   She contrasts the reactions to the meal by family members, their mothers’ appearances, post meal activities, and more.  The theme is whether a holiday celebration is fancy or funky, it can still be memorable and loving.  

Why I Chose It:  The pictures are a creative use of multi-media art (gouache, colored pencils, and collage on craft paper).  The story is well-told.  The theme is worthwhile.   It is conducive to teaching how to compare/contrast using one-to-one correspondence. 

Oh, What a Thanksgiving! (age 5-9) by Steven Kroll
A young boy learns about the first Thanksgiving feast in school.  When he comes home, he imagines (often in parallel scenes) how the Pilgrims prepared and celebrated.  For instance, while he is at the store picking out vegetables (modern world), he pictures himself picking vegetables from a garden (colonial world).  Also, as his family is meeting some neighbors (modern world), he visualizes his family meeting Indians (colonial world). David imagines life being “better” at the first Thanksgiving throughout the narrative, but in the end he realizes they are the same:  an appreciation of family, friends, and home.  

Why I Chose It:  I liked how the author did a then/now comparison of Thanksgiving.  A discussion or activity with that focus is an excellent way to broaden students’ understanding of the original Thanksgiving celebration by relating it to what we do now. 

The Can Do Thanksgiving (ages 5-9) by Marion Hess Pomeranc
Dee’s class holds a canned food drive for the needy during the Thanksgiving holiday.  Dee carefully selects a can from the market and pays for it with her own money.  She is anxious to find out where her can will end up, so she writes on it:  “Dee’s Peas, Oak St. School.”   The church who ends up with the canned goods contacts the school.  Dee’s class helps to serve a Thanksgiving meal to the disadvantaged.  

Why I Chose It:  It is the only book I have come across that was not egocentric (all about MY family).  Instead, this book is about joyfully helping others in the community.  I hope it prompts a family or class to adopt a similar project. 

Thanksgiving Rules (ages 5-11) by Laurie Friedman
Using 10 simple rules, Percy helps children navigate this family and food-filled holiday.  Primarily written in fun poetic quatrains, Percy gives some excellent advice to children in an entertaining manner.  Percy encourages them to cooperate, to help out, and to greet guest as they arrive. He urges them to try all the foods on the buffet, even the one that looks like wood.  The day is finished off with sampling all the desserts and giving hugs to everyone.  

Why I Chose It:  Percy is a fun and amusing character.  The pictures do a great job not only accompanying the text but adding to its meaning, like his reference to an “overeaters special.”   Through his simple rules, Percy learns the best recipe for Thanksgiving. 

Mary’s First Thanksgiving (ages 6-11) by Kathy Jo Wargin
Mary feels lonely and gloomy.  She does not think she has anything to be thankful for. When she shares her feelings with her parents, her father describes the hardships the Pilgrims faced even after the first Thanksgiving feast.  He emphasizes their prayer and gratitude during those first grueling years.  He tells her that the Pilgrims placed five kernels of corn on their plates to remind them of their blessings: beauty and bounty of autumn, love for one another, love for their families, friendship with the Indians, and finally, their freedom to worship God without fear.  As Hannah’s hope is renewed with the Pilgrim’s story, she chooses an attitude of gratitude.  

Why I Chose It: This colonial story has a timeless message that will give hope to many families today.  Even though the family does not have a lot this year, there is hope and gratitude in their hearts.   

The Thanksgiving Door (ages 6-11) by Debby Atwell   
An elderly couple burn their Thanksgiving dinner, so they decide to check if a new restaurant down the street is open.  When they notice the door open, they go in.  The owners are disappointed because they are planning a family celebration, but the grandmother reminds them to be hospitable.   The elderly couple quickly become like family as they feast and dance the evening away.    

Why I Chose It:  Honestly, I got choked up reading this story.  The elderly couple reminisce that the best part of their day was burning their food.  This story emulates the importance of random acts of kindness.   

You Might Also Enjoy These Thanksgiving Fictions

One is a Feast for Mouse: A Thanksgiving Tale (ages 4-8) by Judy Cox
Leftover turkey, cranberries, peas, and gravy are abandoned on the table after the Thanksgiving feast.  A little mouse sneaks out to gather a discarded green pea for his perfect holiday meal.  As he sees all the wonderful foods, he gathers more than he can carry.  He is so distracted that he does not notice a cat sneaking up on him.  When he loses everything except the pea, the mouse learns to give thanks for the little things. 

Turkey Pox (ages 4-7) by Laurie Halse Anderson
The Chatfields are rushing around to leave for Thanksgiving dinner at grandma’s house.  As they are driving there, they realize that Charity has the Chicken Pox.  They turn around and resolve to celebrate the holiday at home.  Despite a snow storm, grandma shows up with guests and a unique turkey. 

Turkey Bowl (ages 6-11) by Phil Bildner
Ethan grows up watching the older boys and adults play in their family’s annual Thanksgiving football game (the Turkey Bowl), anxiously awaiting the year he can join them.   When Ethan is finally old enough to play, there is a big snowstorm preventing the arrival of his extended family.  He gets the neighborhood boys together to play when he ends up with an unexpected surprise.

Best Halloween Picture Books (Primary to Intermediate)

I believe I am burned out on Halloween books!  I have been reading dozens of them over the past couple weeks in an effort to highlight the best books from the largest number possible.  This post is the last on the subject, at least for 11 months!  Since there can be large discrepancies in what is considered appropriate based on age and family values, please peruse them in advance to reading to children. 

The Hallo-Wiener (ages 5-10) by Dav PilkeyI love this book!  Oscar is a wiener dog (dachshund), so he has a hard time keeping up with the other dogs.  As a result, he is incessantly teased by the other dogs.   Then, to make matters worse his mother makes a costume for him that fuels the ridicule fire.  He wears it though because he doesn’t want to hurt her feelings.  Despite having a discouraging Halloween night experience, he saves his friends through bravery and cleverness.  There are puns and other play on words in this story that would be fun to discuss.  For instance, it says he is looking “frank.”   Discuss how it is a reference to a hot dog and to looking serious.  In another example, it states the dogs “hounded every treat.”  They are dogs, so they are “hounding.”  It also means to badger or bother.  Not only is it a good Halloween story, but it also includes lessons in friendship, teasing, being scared, courage, cleverness, and family. 

  The Skeleton in the Closet (ages  7-11) by Alice SchertleAt first, the tone of this story is a bit frightening though fortunately the illustrations are not creepy.  There is a skeleton at the door, trying to get into the house.  After the boy runs and hides in his room, the skeleton gets into the house and slowly makes his way up the stairs.  When he gets into the room though, he merely wants to borrow the clothes in the boy’s closet.  Then, the tone becomes silly.   This story is a good read for older kids who are not easily alarmed.

  Shake dem Halloween Bones (ages 5-10) by W. Nikola-LisaAfter the city is quiet and the lights go down, music begins at a hip-hop Halloween party.  Using a rhythmic, playful verse, people dance at the party dressed up as various characters from popular fairy tales, such as Snow White, Goldilocks, and Little Red Riding Hood.  Interspersed repeatedly between the descriptions of the boogying characters is a chorus about shaking them bones.

    The Halloween Kid (ages 5-10) by Rhode Montijo
The Halloween Kid keeps trick or treating safe for the children.  Each time villians come along to spoil it, such as toliet paper mummies or pumpkin suckin' vampires, he saves the day dressed part cowboy, part regular kid while riding on his stick horse.  When a group of goblins wreak havoc, he returns once again.  This time it is with the help of some tricker or treaters that he saves Halloween.  The orange-hued cartoon pictures are mature enough that older children will enjoy it, but not at all scary so younger ones can too.  This interesting mix of reality and fantasy is sure to induce yearly readings of this holiday tale.

Room on the Broom (ages 5-10) by Julia DonaldsonIf you do not object to books about witches, this tales is a sweet must read!  As an affable witch flies around on her broom, various animals ask for a ride.  She willingly allows them on, but the broom gets crowded and eventually breaks.  Then, a dragon attacks the witch, but the animals rescue her from his clutches!  The witch designs a creative, new broom that accommodates everyone more comfortably.   The pictures are colorful and cheery.  Motifs for discussion are friendship, generosity, and bravery.
  Honorable MentionsPorkenstein(ages 6-10) by Kathryn LaskyIt is a creative retelling of the story Frankenstein using pigs and the big bad wolf.  It is worth checking out.

The Costume Copy Cat (ages 5-9) by Maryann MacdonaldEach year Angela picks her costume based on what her sister wore the previous year with less than desirable results.  When she finally picks a costume based on her unique personality, she has the ideal Halloween night. 





Did I miss any of your favorites?  Let me know!  I’ll check them out for next Halloween season! 

Best Fall Picture Books: Pumpkins (Fiction)

I can’t imagine buying a pumpkin at a grocery store!  I have always used pumpkin picking as a memory making tradition.  Every year we go to a farm to pick ours.  At some of the farms, we actually pick them off the vines while at others we pick them from a field.  There are usually lots of other activities at the farms, such as corn mazes, tire swings, petting zoos, and so forth.  Not everyone is fortunate enough to live in the vicinity of farms for picking pumpkins.  I encourage you venture out to one at least once to a farm to pick a pumpkin while your children are young or with your class of students.  The book selections today all capture the joys and memories of pumpkin picking, and in some cases, even growing pumpkins. 

Pumpkin Day, Pumpkin Night (ages 3-7) by Anne Rockwell (realistic fiction)

In this fictional narrative, an eager, young boy observes the various changes in nature that indicate it is fall which signifies that soon it will be “pumpkin time.”  Along with his mother, they take their traditional trip to a farm to pick pumpkins for carving and for cooking.  Together, mother and son experience an uplifting memory carving the perfect jack-o-lantern and watching it glow in the night.  The bright backgrounds with appealing paper cut outs give the illustrations a 2-dimensional appearance to this story about fall, family, and tradition. 

The Very Best Pumpkin (ages 4-8) by Mark Kimball Moulton (realistic fiction)

Watercolor illustrations in warm hues offer a country setting for the story of Peter who lives with his grandparents on a farm.  One of their fall crops is pumpkins.  One day Peter discovers a pumpkin vine that has trailed off from the others and is growing alone.  Meanwhile, a new family with a girl his age moves in next door.   She shyly watches him from afar as he tends his special lone pumpkin.  After the community has all come to pick their pumpkins from the farm, the girl and her family arrive to chose theirs.  Peter gives her his special pumpkin.  He knew all along she had been watching him.  This first act of kindness begins a sweet friendship between them. 

Pumpkin Jack (ages 5-9) by Will Hubbell  (realistic fiction)

After Tim’s beloved and enchanting jack-o-lantern begins to expire, he discards it in the backyard garden.  Over time, he watches as the face wrinkles and the pumpkin shrinks into the ground.  In the spring, a tiny sprout peers up from the soil which multiples and grows as Tim cares for the new pumpkin plants.  When the pumpkins are ripe, he generously gives them away to other children.  He saves one though.  It becomes his new Pumpkin Jack.  Anyone who has reluctantly thrown away his jack-o-lantern after the holiday will appreciate this story. 

The Legend of Spookley the Square Pumpkin (ages 4-8) by Joe Troiano (fantasy fiction)

Spookley is a square pumpkin in a patch of round pumpkins.  He is teased and ridiculed for his unique shape.  When there is a storm, several pumpkin break loose from the vine and roll out of the garden through a hole in the fence, resulting in their destruction.  Spookley moves to block the hole, which prevents any other pumpkins from being destroyed.  The farmer discovers what happened, so the following year he only plants Spookley's seeds.  As a result, pumpkins of all shapes and sizes are produced, bringing joy to the boys and girls of the community as they all pick out a unique one just for them.  This book celebrates individual differences.  The poetic language is full of rhyme and alliteration.   The Legend of Spookley is sure to be a favorite holiday read! 

Honorable Mentions

Pumpkin Day (ages 4-8) by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace (realistic fiction)

This book is a sweet narrative of a family of bunnies visiting a pumpkin patch, making pumpkin pancakes, and carving jack-o-lanterns.  Riddles and fast facts on pumpkins are interspersed.  It includes the family’s recipes for toasted pumpkin seeds, perfect pumpkin muffins, and pumpkin pancakes. 

Pumpkin Moon (ages 6-10) by Tim Preston (fantasy fiction)

Following the a similar format as David Weisner’s Tuesday, this predominately wordless book tells the magical tale of what happens on October 31 after all the trick-or-treaters are in bed.  I have mixed feelings about this one.  It has some noteworthy illustrations, but there are real witches, skeletons, and other ghouls.  It is an interesting premise.  On the other hand, the “story” did not seem to have a real point.   Check it out to see for yourself.  Then, let me know what you think!

Extension Activities

• For Pumpkin Fun ideas, visit the Learning Ideas blog
• Visit a pumpkin patch or farm with pumpkins
• Allow students to tell about their experience at a pumpkin patch by drawing a picture or writing about it
• Carve pumpkins together
• Students can write their own fictional story about pumpkins (either realistic or fantasy)
• Read about the pumpkin life cycle
• Compare a fictional story of growing pumpkins to a non-fiction book on the topic
• Pumpkin crafts
• Pumpkin Lessons
• Sing pumpkin/fall songs
• File Folder Game
• Science Connections
• Recipes (Halloween, Pumpkin, and Apples)
• Color Pumpkin Pictures