The countdown is on: in just a couple of weeks, we’ll be frantically baking pies, cramming birds into ovens, and feverishly trying to remember how to make gravy from drippings. When pre-meal craziness is at its peak, keep your little guests busy (and out of the kitchen) with one of these fun Thanksgiving-themed books, and you’ll have one less thing to worry about. Now, how do you make a roux, again?

The Night Before ThanksgivingThe Night Before Thanksgiving
This charming picture book is a T-day twist on “The Night Before Christmas,” with a story told in verse and cute, cartoony illustrations depicting the familiar rituals: baking up a storm the night before, watching the parade on TV, and greeting an endless stream of visiting relatives.

 

 

 

Thanksgiving Stained Glass BookThe Little Thanksgiving Stained Glass Coloring Book
If you’ve never seen Dover’s “stained glass” coloring books before, they’re pretty neat: the bold black-outlined designs are printed on a translucent vellum-type paper, so when you color it in with markers and hold it up to the light, it creates a vivid, colorful glow. At just $1, these mini-books are so inexpensive that you can give each kid their own and let them display their creations in the window when they’re done.

 

 

 

First Thanksgiving StickersFirst Thanksgiving Sticker Activity Book
This mini sticker book offers plenty of imaginative play (and a fun history lesson). The laminated pages feature an illustrated scene of Pilgrims and Indians; add the stickers of food, animals, and people to complete the scene and tell a story. The removable stickers can be used again and again, and you can pair it with the Pilgrim House Sticker Activity Book for more possibilities.

 

 

 

 

 

The Very First AmericansThe Very First Americans
So we don’t get too Pilgrim-centric, here’s a book that puts the emphasis on Native American peoples and their traditions. Lovely, detailed watercolor illustrations by Bryna Waldman show the clothing, houses, and tools of various tribes. This has more text than a picture book and is intended for slightly older readers, or you can get Great-aunt Maude to read it to the little ones.

 

 

 

 

Magic scratch leavesColorful Paper Magic Color Scratch Leaves
OK, this isn’t exactly a book, but it’s so cool that I think you should see it anyway. These “magic leaves” are really rainbow-colored scratch board. Use the included wooden tools to scratch out designs or words into the paper, then attach the ribbons and you have some beautiful handmade ornaments for the holidays! You get 24 leaves, ribbons, and wooden tools, which should be enough to keep a houseful of kids busily scratching away until dinner. (Or head directly to Xmas with the gingerbread man ornaments.)

 

 

 

For more ideas, see our previous Thanksgiving Books for Kids list. Or try Creepy Classics for Young Readers for independent readers.

Stephanie Perry
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