Multicultural Thanksgiving Books for Kids

Thanksgiving is the perfect holiday to showcase picture books that reflect America's diverse population.

The children's Thanksgiving books on this list reflect a variety of approaches to celebrating Thanksgiving. They include stories about how immigrants have contributed to modern day traditions, the perspective of Indigenous Peoples, and invitations to express gratitude.

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I am of the belief that we can share with our children the relevance of modern-day Thanksgiving traditions without perpetuating the highly flawed "happy myth" about its origins. Children are smart cookies and we honor them by making sure we discuss hard truths about the relationship between the "founding" of this country and the land's indigenous populations.

Thanksgiving Picture Books

If You Lived During the Plimouth Thanksgiving by Chris Newell (Passamaquoddy), illustrated by Winona Nelson (Leech Lake Band of Minnesota Chippewa)

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

MORE: Native American Picture books by Native authors

Twelve Dinging Doorbells by Tameka Fryer Brown, illustrated by Ebony Glenn

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Inspired by the classic holiday song, "Twelve Days of Christmas," this is an non-specific holiday poem that that applies to any family gathering. The lively get-together includes all kinds of food dishes, an ever-increasing population of funny relatives, and "a sweet potato pie just for me." Delightful! Ages 3 and up.

Duck for Turkey Day by Jacqueline Jules, illustrated by Kathryn Mitter

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Tuyet is distressed that her Vietnamese family is having duck for Thanksgiving dinner! In school she learned that turkey is the traditional main course, but her mom and grandma insist that duck is tastier. Tuyet worries about what her friends and teacher will think! When she returns to school she discovers that her classmates all had different foods for dinner and it's not the feast, but the company that makes the holiday special. I love the sweet moment when Tuyet puts her handmade pinecone craft on the table to ensure there is a turkey on the table! Ages 4 and up.

Feast for 10 by Cathryn Falwell

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This isn't a Thanksgiving-specific picture book, but it certainly fits the theme! A family shops for, prepares, and sits down together for a meal. I particularly love books that show math in everyday situations such as shopping and cooking. It might even get your little one interested in counting next time you put her in the shopping cart at the grocery store! Plus, I'm all for books that show families having fun together. Ages 3 and up.

MORE: Thanksgiving poems for families

Balloons over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade by Melissa Sweet

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The signature spectacle of the Macy's Parade was spearheaded by British immigrant, Tony Sarg. Sweet's marvelous cut paper and mixed media collages illustrate the story of Sarg's life as a puppeteer, from his boyhood inspirations to his invention of the "upside-down marionettes" we've come to know and love as the iconic gigantic helium balloons in the Macy's Parade.

How Many Days to America? A Thanksgiving Story by Eve Bunting, illustrated by Beth Peck

Find it: Amazon

A family flees a Caribbean island because of political prosecution. The journey in a small boat is hard and dangerous and when they reach America it is Thanksgiving day. It's a great book to spark discussions about diversity in America, why people flee their homes, and the freedom and security they hope to find. Ages 5 and up.

Gracias, The Thanksgiving Turkey by Joy Cowley, illustrated by Joe Cepeda

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Just before Thanksgiving, Miguel's father, who is driving a truck across the country, sends the family a mysterious box with holes in it. Inside is a turkey! Miguel names his new "pet" Gracias, walks him around his urban neighborhood on a leash, and worries about his intended fate, even as Gracias follows him to mass. Spanish words are sprinkled throughout the text and I love how Miguel's Puerto Rican family provides a wonderful model of familial support and love. Ages 4 and up.

Rivka's First Thanksgiving by Elsa Okon Rael, illustrated by Maryann Kovalski

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Rivka, the daughter of Polish Jewish immigrants, comes home from school, excited to tell her family about the holiday of Thanksgiving. Her mother tells her, "It sounds to me as though this is a party for Gentiles." Rivka insists that Thanksgiving is for everyone and takes her case to the Rabbi who initially agrees with her mother. Rivka starts a campaign to change the Rabbi's mind. She writes a letter and presents her case before a gathering of Rabbis, drawing insightful parallels between her Jewish family's experience and the experience of the Pilgrims. Ages 4 and up.

The Thanksgiving Door by Debby Atwell

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Ed and Ann have burned their dinner! They head out to a restaurant, sighing, "It won't be the same." When they get there they don't realize it's closed for a private party but the grandmother in the kitchen decides the family will welcome the interlopers because in the "old country" they do not turn away hungry people. Ed and Ann celebrate with the large, extended family, including lively dancing and at the end of the evening declare the best thing that happened was burning the dinner. Ages 4 and up.

'Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving by Dav Pilkey

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Ok, so this Thanksgiving book is not exactly like the others on this list! It is an extremely silly and highly satisfying story about a diverse group of school children on a field trip to discover where their Thanksgiving turkey really comes from. When they find out, they smuggle the turkeys home and hilarity (and a vegetarian dinner) ensues. Ages 3 and up.

Milly and the Macy's Parade by Shana Corey, illustrated by Brett Helquist

Find it: Your Library

This is a fictional story based on a factual events surrounding the very first Macy's Parade. Milly is a Polish immigrant whose father works for Mr. Macy. Macy's employs legions of immigrants and when they all begin to get homesick and nostalgic for their homelands' holiday traditions, Millie convinces "the most important man in America" (aka Mr. Macy) to throw a giant party. And the parade is born. I love to think of the Macy's Parade as a party with roots based in celebrating the diversity of the people employed at the store -- not just as a way to advertise a retail giant. Ages 5 and up.