Picture Books about Turkeys for Kids (+ Thanksgiving Unit Study)
What would the fall be without reading some fun picture books about turkeys with the kiddos?
Gobble gobble! Are your children excited about all of the Thanksgiving festivities like mine? I find that my sons sneak in extra turkey books from the library around this time of year because he just loves animal books!
You can find these fun books for kids at your local library or purchase through the links provided for your convenience.
This post contains affiliate links.
For a fun tie-in, add this FREE Turkey Coloring Page, How to Catch a Turkey activities or Printable Thanksgiving Hats to the mix.
For more reading ideas, visit our extensive list of childrens books for kids!
Can Turkeys Fly
Yes, turkeys can fly, but the extent and capability of their flight vary depending on the species and age of the turkey.
Wild turkeys, particularly North American wild turkeys, are capable of flight. They are relatively large birds with strong wing muscles, and they can fly short distances at speeds of up to 55 miles per hour (89 kilometers per hour) for short bursts.
They often use their wings to escape predators or to roost in trees at night, but wild turkeys are not known for long-distance flight.
Domesticated turkeys, which are bred for meat production, are generally heavier and less capable of sustained flight compared to their wild counterparts.
Thankful Place Cards
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They are often referred to as “Broad Breasted” turkeys and are not typically able to fly more than a short distance.
Can Turkeys Swim
Turkeys are not known for their swimming abilities.
Unlike some waterfowl species like ducks and swans, turkeys are not adapted for aquatic life.
Turkeys are primarily terrestrial birds and are more comfortable on land.
They lack the specialized adaptations for swimming, such as webbed feet and waterproof feathers, that many waterfowl possess.
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While turkeys may encounter water sources such as streams, ponds, or puddles in their natural habitats, they typically avoid swimming and instead may wade or walk through shallow water.
Thanksgiving Activities for Kids
Teach your child gratitude with a fun and interactive Thanksgiving Turkey Sensory Bin, giving them an opportunity to reflect on what brings joy to their world.
These Thanksgiving worksheets and activities are perfect for the class party, school work, after school fun or occupational therapy!
Why not get the kids involved in a food drive? Learn about the best non perishable food for a Thanksgiving food drive.
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Easy Printable Thanksgiving Fun!
Get ready for a cornucopia of printable Thanksgiving fun that will make this holiday one to remember!
Children’s Books about Turkeys
Every time Thanksgiving rolls around, my kids get excited about reading the latest children’s picture books about turkeys.
But of course, we always have our old favorites, too.
A Plump and Perky Turkey is a personal favorite but we were also excited to find some new books for the year, including Where’s the Turkey?
PICTURE BOOKS ABOUT TURKEYS FOR KIDS
Turkeys around Squawk Valley just don’t jump into pots anymore — they are way too smart for that. So the townspeople hatch a clever plan.
They host a turkey-themed arts and crafts fair and lure a vain bird into town by advertising for an artist’s model.
Peter the Turkey, proud of his well-stuffed form, takes the bait but doesn’t fall for the trap.
The old lady is at it again, and this time she’s swallowing a Turkey . . . she’s always been quirky!
You won’t believe why this old lady swallowed a turkey, a ball, a hat, a balloon, a boat, some wheels, and a horn of plenty!
Read this book and find out why!
Turkey is in trouble. Bad trouble. The kind of trouble where it’s almost Thanksgiving . . . and you’re the main course.
But Turkey has an idea–what if he doesn’t look like a turkey? What if he looks like another animal instead?
After many hilarious attempts, Turkey comes up with the perfect disguise to make this Thanksgiving the best ever!
Although Mel and his family have lived in America for several years, they have never celebrated Thanksgiving, just the Jewish holidays.
But this year, after Papa wins a live turkey at work and brings it home on the subway, Mama invites all their relatives to their Brooklyn tenement for dinner.
There’s just one thing ― Mel has a soft spot for the turkey!
It’s time for a warm holiday gathering, and traditional family favorites are making their way to the Thanksgiving table. But where is the turkey?
Find out in this richly illustrated picture book about a vegan family’s Thanksgiving.
Children will delight in searching for the turkeys hidden throughout the book.
Toddlers will love the silly Thanksgiving turkeys in this fun counting book full of silly turkeys doing very silly things!
From twirling on a dance floor to being chased by a bee to tanning in the sun, these are no ordinary Thanksgiving turkeys.
This shiny fabric–tabbed book is a holiday treat that is sure to be gobbled up quickly.
Turk’s parents are proud of him, the biggest, strongest, most graceful bird at Wishbone Farm. “He’s a dancer,” says his mother. “He’s an athlete,” says his father. “He’s a goner,” says his little brother, Runt.
But no one ever listens to Runt — even after people with seasonal plans and roasting pans begin showing up at Wishbone Farm, or even after the juiciest turkeys are chosen, one by one. “Chosen for what?” Turk asks.
No one wants to hear Runt’s answer. But you will laugh at what he has to do to get his family’s attention. They are, after all, turkeys.
Veteran author Tony Johnston has written a joyful text, which first-time illustrator Richard Deas brings to life as wild and wacky fun!
This silly rhyming story about ten turkeys teaches children how to count backwards.
Girls and boys will gobble up this hilarious story about ten goofy turkeys and their silly antics: swinging from a vine, strutting on a boar, doing a noodle dance, and more.
This hilarious companion to Turkey Trouble and Turkey Claus is filled to the brim with holiday fun.
Everyone loves Halloween candy—even Turkey.
But how can he and his barnyard friends get any when the farmers give it out only to children? With a costume, of course!
A fun, Thanksgiving-themed twist on the classic nursery rhyme “This Little Piggy”! These little turkeys have a lot of work to do to prepare for Thanksgiving!
One goes to the market, one sweeps the floor, one draws pictures, one knits a sweater, and sets the table.
Now they’re all ready to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving!
A Thanksgiving story featuring a large turkey with a big problem… he’s been invited to everyone’s home for dinner!
With five homes to visit — Horse’s, Pig’s, Sheep and Goat’s, Cow’s, and Mouse’s — Turkey knows there’ll be a ton of food to eat.
But there’ll also be friends and their families who can’t wait to celebrate the holiday with Turkey!
Can this very plump bird make it through every meal without bursting?
A silly, read-aloud story featuring food, friends, and one hilarious turkey!
Over the river Mama, Papa, and Baby Turkey embark for their vegetarian Thanksgiving Feast.
But when a hungry boy and his dog start sniffing around, the turkeys have got to think fast before they become the main course!
Acclaimed artist Derek Anderson’s glorious autumn artwork adds heaps of holiday humor to Lydia Maria Child’s classic Thanksgiving song.
Readers of all ages will be wondering who gobbles up whom until the dessert finale.
This Thanksgiving, there’s a turkey to shout about ― and Max is the one who picked it out!
Join him and his family on this wonderful day, when cousins come to play, neighbors come carrying pumpkin pie, and there’s plenty to be thankful for. Everything’s perfect, until…
Thanksgiving Unit Study
In addition to offering children’s books about turkeys, I’ve teamed up with some fellow bloggers to offer you homeschool and classroom unit study resources to teach kids about the Thanksgiving season, including thankfulness and turkeys.
For further Thanksgiving study unit resources and ideas, consider the following affiliate links:
- The Thanksgiving Feast Unit Study
- A Guide for Using Molly’s Pilgrim in the Classroom
- Native Americans Thematic Unit
Thanksgiving Oreo Cookie Turkey Pops
Kids (and adults) are going to flip over these absolutely adorable Turkey Cookie Pops.
