We’ve read through stacks of Thanksgiving books looking for children’s stories where the holiday is celebrated without harming any animals, and as you can imagine, they’re not the majority. But we have found some! Rather than focusing on the historical tale of the Pilgrims and Wampanoags, these books encourage the reader to examine how we enjoy Thanksgiving today and perhaps how we might do it more compassionately. The titles on this list cover all of the wonderful things about the holiday–family, gratitude, food, tradition–AND they’re what we consider “turkey-friendly.”
Our list is absolutely not complete because we are still searching for:
- a history of the presidential pardoning of a turkey
- an explanation of how Sarah Hale’s efforts led to the creation of a national holiday
- a nonfiction text on turkeys that covers facts about both wild and domesticated varieties without referring to either as food
Please do comment below if you know of any of these or have other recommendations. Also, don’t miss the next post in our “Holiday Books Where No One Gets Hurt” series! We’ll be highlighting the Christmas stories that do not include a tree being cut down.
⭐A star next to a title in this list indicates the book is part of our Inspiration In Print collection that we bring to public spaces for children to read and have community members gift to teachers upon request.
🦃 Picture Books
‘Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving ⭐ — Written and Illustrated by Dav Pilkey
A classroom of students is on a fall field trip when they come across a little turkey farm. They have fun meeting and playing with the birds until one little girl asks Farmer Mack Nuggett about his axe. The farmer tells them the truth, and they become very upset. The farmer and teacher go to get water to help calm the kids down, and while they are gone, the children hide the turkeys under their shirts and sneak them back onto the bus. That Thanksgiving, the students feast on veggies and toast with their very thankful, rescued turkey guests.
- Cleverly done in the rhythm and rhyme of the poem “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas”
- Although misleading as to what a typical turkey farm looks like, features fantastic illustrations–the joyful hugs, passionate tears, waddling stuffed kids, and peace symbol earrings on the teacher are all too good to miss
- Great for discussions about how people sometimes make different choices after discovering more information or having a new experience–the students do start the story riding on the bus while “visions of drumsticks danced in their brains,” but they obviously have a change of heart after meeting the turkeys
- Has a happy ending, but be prepared to answer questions from readers wondering what happens to the turkeys next because they can’t stay in city apartments after the holiday
- Could also be used with older children as a way to introduce real cases where animal rights activists have broken the law by stealing/liberating animals from factory farms and the ethical dilemma they faced
Turkey Surprise — Written by Peggy Archer; Illustrated by Thor Wickstrom
At the request of their parents, two Pilgrim brothers set out to find a turkey to stuff for Thanksgiving, but the younger one is hesitant. A wild turkey sees them coming, panics, and tries to get help from a bird in a tree, a gopher in a hole, and then a fish in a pond. None of their suggestions for hiding work out. Luckily, the younger brother with the spyglass always redirects his brother away from the turkey. Meanwhile, he questions whether they actually want a turkey or are just getting one for their parents. Aren’t there other things to eat? The younger boy helps the turkey hide while he and his brother choose a huge pumpkin to take home instead.
- Historically inaccurate with stereotypically-dressed Pilgrims celebrating the modern Thanksgiving holiday
- A little repetitive, but the multiple attempts to hide the turkey give him a chance to voice his fears and express his desire to live
- Final illustration shows the family happily sitting down to a table full of vegetables, fruits, breads, and pie and could lead to a discussion about examining meal-related traditions and choosing which ones to continue
A Turkey For Thanksgiving — Written by Eve Bunting; Illustrated by Diane de Groat
The Moose couple is setting out decorations for their Thanksgiving dinner, and they are very glad to have all of their friends coming over. But Mrs. Moose is disappointed that everyone has a turkey for Thanksgiving except them, and so her husband goes out to get one. Along the way he collects their other dinner guests who help him look for a turkey. When they find one hiding, Turkey tries to escape but is too fat to fly. The group escorts him back to the house where he is terrified until he finds out that he is getting a chair and a place at the table as an honored guest and friend.
- Animal characters wear clothes and live in human-like dwellings but then do eat species-appropriate acorns, sprouts, bark, grass, and leaves at their dinner party
- Includes one overly aggressive scene where instead of just inviting him to dinner, Mr. Moose holds down Turkey’s head with his boot before forcing him back to the house because the reader is still being lead to believe they are going to eat him
- Effective at presenting Turkey’s emotions for kids to consider and a good read for those on their way to a “Thanksgiving With the Turkeys” event at a farm sanctuary
Borrow a digital copy for free from Open Library
Where’s the Turkey? — Written and Illustrated by Caroline Jones
The child narrator arrives at a family holiday gathering at the grandparents’ farm after traveling for a long time. The Thanksgiving table is set, but where’s the turkey? The gravy, mashed potatoes, and candles are all there. Grandpa is sitting next to the fire with his socks full of holes, but where’s the turkey? There’s pumpkin pie, dinner rolls, salad, peas, and cranberry sauce. Some people are watching football. Finally the stuffed squash is ready, and everyone sits together in gratitude before eating. “Where’s the turkey?” is asked one more time and then finally answered. She’s outside eating with her family!
- Very simple text and pictures perfect for younger children who will enjoy looking for a turkey of some sort hidden on most pages
- Shows what Thanksgiving could be like for all families in a kinder future where the main dish is changed but the rest of the holiday traditions like enjoying time with extended family, eating plenty of tasty food, watching football, etc. continue
- Peaceful tone where the turkey is not afraid and does not spend her time trying to escape from humans because they never intended to eat her is a nice change from the typical story
- Kitchen includes evidence of the family’s vegetarian way of life in the illustrations of the canned gravy and soy whip for the pie but vegan readers will have to disregard an old-fashioned “Oeufs Frais” cabinet on the wall (which is easy to do because it is not obvious)
- Author created a small activity packet to go with the story that is available as a free download on the TPT site.
Turkey Trouble — Written by Wendi Silvano; Illustrated by Lee Harper
Turkey knows he is in danger because it is almost Thanksgiving. He tries to dress up like different farm animals that he thinks the farmer’s family would never eat for the holiday, but someone always points out that he is obviously wearing a costume. He finally settles on a rooster disguise because he already looks a lot like one, but then he overhears the farmer talking about how he can’t find the turkey so maybe they should eat the rooster instead. He looks around in desperation for one final idea and sees all the plants and fungi growing in the garden. In the final scene, an unexpected vegetarian pizza is brought to the family’s door (by the turkey in a delivery costume) which they happily eat instead.
- Illustrations further the myth that animals live happily on farms with red barns, lots of space, and a farmer in overalls
- Does deal with the idea of a turkey not wanting to be killed and leaves the reader with the realization that Thanksgiving dinner to humans is just one quick meal not worth the cost of a life (certainly there are other things that families can eat together and still have a great day)
- Story line repeats as Turkey attempts to fit in with the horses, cows, pigs, sheep, and then rooster, but the funny costumes make it anything but boring
- Pizza in the end has peppers, onions, mushrooms, tomatoes and perhaps some cheese although none is specifically mentioned, so the yellow filler could definitely be plant-based cheese, but the onion plant has been killed
Borrow a digital copy for free from Open Library
Turk and Runt — Written by Lisa Wheeler; Illustrated by Frank Ansley
Turk’s parents are so proud of him and are sure that, as such a perfect turkey, he will be getting a dance or football contract soon. His younger sibling, Runt, is not much to look at but is very observant. When the humans start visiting the farm to pick apples and pumpkins, he knows turkeys are next. His family remains oblivious to what is going on. When they assume that the dance instructor and football coach are there to select Turk for the show and team, Runt insists that they are picking him for their turkey dinner, and he does everything he can to chase them off. When a little old lady shows up and thinks Runt is just her size, finally Turk comes to his rescue. The family of turkeys happily eat together on Thanksgiving and celebrate all that they have to be thankful for, but Runt warns them that the humans will be back for their winter holiday meals. They agree to listen to his plan to disguise themselves as snowmen.
- Cute story but not at all a realistic portrayal of turkeys or farms (where unfortunately everyone does get “chosen” each holiday season)
- Good for starting a discussion about whether farmed turkeys are aware of what is happening to them and how humans can give the birds something to be thankful for
- Could be used in a lesson on making inferences
The Thank You Book — Written by Mary Lyn Ray; Illustrated by Stephanie Graegin
A wonderful overview of being grateful using simple occurrences over the course of a year. The book starts with the explanation that “thank you” is not just for manners; it’s for anything that wakes up a little happy hum inside of you that you want to answer back. It goes on to celebrate everyday items like swings, mittens, and bubble baths, but also includes more abstract ideas like things that make you wonder, learning something new, when sad turns to better, and being glad we are each unique.
- Includes a whimsical mix of humans and other clothed animals in delightful illustrations as they move through all four seasons (fall focus is on things that keep us warm, harvested food, family, and home with a large table gathering featuring only plant foods)
- Loses a few points for eco-friendliness due to the balloons, glitter, and picked flowers and for health-consciousness regarding the ice cream, cake, and candy
- Tone of the book models how practicing gratefulness for life’s gifts can make us feel good
- Perfect to read before starting a gratitude craft that requires a grateful-for list because pages make it easy for kids to look around and notice all the things that inspire them to say “thank you”
🦃 Children’s Nonfiction
Balloons Over Broadway — Written and Illustrated by Melissa Sweet
This biography of Tony Sarg shows how his childhood love of making things move leads to a career of engineering marionette puppets, elaborate window displays for Macy’s, and eventually costume and float designs for the first Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1924. When the department store wants to replace the animals in the parade, they ask Sarg to create something even more spectacular. He figures out how to make large creatures out of blimp material held up by wooden poles, and as the parade becomes more popular, he transitions the idea to helium-filled puppets with control strings hanging below so that everyone can see. What a celebration of art, imagination, persistent problem-solving, joyful work, and American traditions!
- Does mention horse-drawn floats, captive wild animals, and a dog sled in the original parade but also shows that humans can create wonderful alternatives to animal entertainment
Borrow a digital copy for free from Open Library
🦃 Easy Readers
We Are Thankful — Written by Margaret McNamara; Illustrated by Mike Gordon
Reza’s teacher asks the students to make a list of what they are thankful for as a Thanksgiving homework assignment. The next day, as his classmates each share something, Reza becomes concerned that he won’t be able to contribute a unique idea. Instead, when he goes last, he summarizes that he is “thankful that we have so much to be thankful for.”
- Takes place in a classroom setting decorated with hand turkey crafts, but the only food mentioned is pumpkin pie
- Easy discussion starter to get readers to write or draw their own gratitude lists
- Labeled as Ready-To-Read Level One: “easy sight words and words to sound out; simple plot and dialogue; familiar topics and themes”
🦃 Board Books
Llama Llama Gives Thanks — Based on characters by Anna Dewdney; Illustrated by J.T. Morrow
Llama’s family and friends are gathering for Thanksgiving. There are lots of new plant foods to try. Thanks is given for the meal, blue skies, and loved ones with the reminder that being grateful is something we can do year round.
- Uses very simple phrases on each page, but has no real story, which works as a quick read for a toddler audience
- Animals pictured are completely acting like humans, but the kitchen/dining table setting and leaf raking are relatable and sweet
Dr. Seuss’s Thankful Things — Based on characters by Dr. Seuss; Illustrated by Tom Brannon
In a fall setting, Thing One and Thing Two are celebrating everything they have to be thankful for from things to learn and make to stories, games, and pies. They are grateful for each other, creatures of all shapes and sizes, trees, and a friend like you. The final page asks: “What are YOU thankful for?”
- Perfect for the board book crowd with limited words and vivid, fun illustrations of familiar fall decorations and activities like riding bikes past autumn trees, making turkey art, reading bat stories, playing games at a pumpkin patch, jumping in leaf piles, watching geese migrate, and eating pies
- All of the food items pictured are of the nonviolent harvest variety except for the maple syrup, and there is also a bouquet of cut flowers gifted in one scene
- Includes one disappointing rhyme of “four” and “for” (Thing One and Thing Two first appeared in The Cat in the Hat in 1957, but this book was published in 2021 long after Seuss’ death, and the writing reflects that it is not his work)
What’s missing from this list? Comment below!
