Booksgiving List

Books and story time ideas to celebrate giving and gratitude

In the U.S., Thanksgiving is just around the corner. It’s a time to take stock of all the blessings in your life and express thanks and, for a lot of people, to give a little something back. In our book list today, we’re featuring books that celebrate not just gratitude, but also giving and sharing in your community. We hope these books encourage you to reach out to family, neighbors, and strangers in the coming weeks (and throughout the year).

Read: Any book that celebrates gratitude, giving, or both!

Discuss:

• Discuss the book’s story and characters. Can you relate to the characters in the book? If so, how?

• Who and what are you most thankful for?

• Who do you think is thankful for you?

• What are some good ways to show gratitude?

• What are some ways you can do good in your community?

Do:

• Send a card to someone, telling them why you are thankful for them. Check out this DIY thank you card inspired by the book Thank You, Omu! by Oge Mora.

• Do something as a family to serve your community. Some ideas: Have a diaper drive, fill a box with items for a local shelter, donate to (or volunteer at) a food pantry.

• Bake treats to share with your neighbors.

• Share a favorite book with someone.

And now, for the list!

Thanksgiving in the Woods by Phyllis Alsdurf and illustrated by Jenny Lovlie is a beautiful picture book that depicts a family and their friends celebrating Thanksgiving together among the trees. Everyone brings something to share with one another and the festivities last all day and into the night. My favorite part of this book is the illustrations. The dreamy quality makes you as the reader want to step into the scenes and join in the festivities. Who wouldn’t want to participate in a Thanksgiving hayride, bonfire, feasting and dancing, and togetherness? It is the perfect picture book to set the tone for your Thanksgiving celebration. It is based on a true story of a family who held a celebration like this in upstate New York. The book is part of a series called Countryside Holidays. Check it out!

The All-Together Quilt by Lizzie Rockwell is a picture book that depicts both children and adults gathering at a community center to create a quilt that they will hang on the wall. I love the theme of togetherness and unity as the book demonstrates the step-by-step process of creating a quilt. 

Fletcher and the Falling Leaves by Julia Rawlinson, Illustrated by Tiphanie Beeke  A kind fox tries to help a tree who he thinks is sick when its leaves begin to fall. He works hard to keep the leaves in place and when he can’t he guards the fallen leaves and tries to put them back on the tree. Will the tree be okay when snow flies? A comforting story about autumn and change. 

Little Tree by Loren Long. Autumn arrives, and a cool wind rattles Little Tree's leaves. Even though other trees drop their leaves, Little Tree does not. Year after year Little Tree remains unchanged, despite words of encouragement from a squirrel, a fawn, and a fox, his leaves having long since turned brown and withered. As Little Tree sits in the shadow of the other trees, now grown sturdy and tall as though to touch the sun, he remembers when they were all the same size. And he knows he has an important decision to make.

Ox-cart Man written by Donald Hall and illustrated by Barbara Cooney is a tried and true teacher favorite and Caldecott winner. It chronicles a man from New England and his annual cycle of taking his goods to market, buying provisions, and then working with his family to produce what he needs for the following harvest. This book is often used as an anchor text in elementary school classrooms. I love the soft, lyrical way the words roll off of the page accompanied by the beautiful illustrations that help you visually step back into simpler times. 

Saturday at the Food Pantry by Diane O’Neill, illustrated by Brizida Magro. Molly and her mom are in need of food and visit a food pantry. She learns that everyone needs a little help sometimes.

Always Room for One More by Sorchie nic Leodhas, illustrated by Nonny Hogrogian. This is an older book (and a Caldecott Medal winner) based on an old Scottish song of the same name, about a family who takes in more and more people in need until their very house bursts. If you want to know what happens then, you’ll just have to read it.

Feathers for Peacock by Jaqueline Jules, illustrated by Helen Cann. A charming original folktale about how birds got their feathers, with a theme of generosity. 

Finding Grateful by Dianne White, Illustrated by Faith Pray. This picture book reminds us to be thankful for each moment. The simple text and illustrations remind us not to take the simple things for granted. 

Horton Hears a Who! by Dr. Seuss. A classic Seuss book that is perfect for sharing this time of year. In this story, Horton the elephant takes it upon himself to someone—quite a lot of someones, it turns out—who are much more vulnerable than he is, even in the face of ridicule and threats from his fellow animals in the Jungle of Nool.

A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip C. Stead, illustrated by Erin E. Stead. This is a sweet story Amos McGee and his friends from the zoo, who come to his aid when he doesn’t show up for work, but is sick in bed. A simple story about the impact of simple acts of kindness and friendship.