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?
In addition to offering recommendations for picture books about turkeys that kids will love and learn from, I’ve teamed up with some fellow bloggers to offer you homeschool and in-class resources to teach kids all about Thanksgiving for a complete Thanksgiving unit study! You can find these fun books for kids at your local library or purchase through the affiliate links provided for your convenience.
Picture Books About Turkeys for Kids
A Plump And Perky Turkey: 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.
There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Turkey!: 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 Trouble: 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!
Not This Turkey!: 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!
Where’s 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.
Five Silly Turkeys: 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 and Runt: A Thanksgiving Comedy: 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.
10 Fat Turkeys: 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. Veteran author Tony Johnston has written a joyful text, which first-time illustrator Richard Deas brings to life as wild and wacky fun!
Turkey Trick or Treat: 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! As his pals look on, Turkey comes up with one clever costume after the next. Each trick gets better and better…but will Turkey and his friends end up with any treats? This hilarious companion to Turkey Trouble and Turkey Claus is filled to the brim with holiday fun.
This Little Turkey: 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!
The Very Stuffed Turkey: 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: 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. And readers of all ages will be wondering who gobbles up whom until the dessert finale.
This Is the Turkey: 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…
The Little Brown Turkey: The Little Brown Turkey’s friends Dog, Pig, and Duck are too busy the help out. The gritty Little Brown Turkey is determined to get his pies baked for Thanksgiving! He picks sweet potatoes. He gathers ingredients. He mixes, mixes, and mixes the pie filling and is so tired, he falls asleep while the pies bake. After all of Little Brown Turkey’s hard work, his friends come in just in time to save the pies from burning. Will he share his pies or not? Little Brown Turkey teaches his friends the true meaning of Thanksgiving in this beautifully illustrated story.
Like these picture books about turkeys for kids? Find even more engaging book lists for kids with more than 100 book-themed reading lists!
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 in-class 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
- Study Guide For Magic Tree House # 27 Thanksgiving on Thursday Novel Unit Study
- A Guide for Using Molly’s Pilgrim in the Classroom
- Native Americans Thematic Unit
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