Shout Out: Other Thanksgiving Books

Today, even though Thanksgiving has passed, we're regretting how much we ate and battling people in parking lots and deals we just can't live without, I thought I'd just give a shout out to some other Thanksgiving books I've used in the past.

Balloons Over Broadway by Melissa Sweet

Summary and cover image from Amazon:

Everyone’s a New Yorker on Thanksgiving Day, when young and old rise early to see what giant new balloons will fill the skies for Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Who first invented these “upside-down puppets”? Meet Tony Sarg, puppeteer extraordinaire! In brilliant collage illustrations, the award-winning artist Melissa Sweet tells the story of the puppeteer Tony Sarg, capturing his genius, his dedication, his zest for play, and his long-lasting gift to America—the inspired helium balloons that would become the trademark of Macy’s Parade.

I didn't plan ahead and think that, "Hey, other teachers might want to use this book, too!" and had a had time getting it from the library.  Oh well, there's always next year (or shoot, its a good book to read anytime!)

Ready, Freddy!  Thanksgiving Turkey Trouble by Abby Klein (illustrated by John McKinley)

Summary and image from Amazon:

It's a Thanksgiving disaster for Freddy Thresher! When his first-grade class begins planning the annual Thanksgiving play, everyone will have a role. Freddy's friends are all happy to be Pilgrims and Indians, but there is one part that nobody wants to be-the turkey! Freddy hopes he won't get the part, but-you guessed it-he gets the unlucky role. Now Freddy has to find a way to play the turkey while everyone is laughing at him.

Magic Treehouse #27: Thanksgiving on Thursday by Mary Pope Osborne

Summary and image from Amazon:

It's a time for giving thanks . . .
when the Magic Tree House whisks Jack and Annie back to 1621 on the first Thanksgiving Day. The Pilgrims ask them to help get things ready. But whether it's cooking or clamming, Jack and Annie don't know how to do anything the Pilgrim way. Will they ruin the holiday forever? Or will the feast go on?

I've used this book for years, and my kids always like it! 

Magic Treehouse Research Guide:  Pilgrims by Mary Pope Osborne and Natalie Pope Boyce

Summary and image from Amazon:

When Jack and Annie got back from their adventure in Magic Tree House #27: Thanksgiving on Thursday, they had lots of questions. What was it like to sail on the Mayflower? Why did the Pilgrims choose Plymouth? How did they survive in their new home? What did they really eat at the first Thanksgiving? Find out the answers to these questions and more as Jack and Annie track the facts. Filled with up-to-date information, photos, illustrations, and fun tidbits from Jack and Annie, the Magic Tree House Fact Trackers are the perfect way for kids to find out more about the topics they discovered in their favorite Magic Tree House adventures.

I like that this is the nonfiction companion, for those who want more facts, or just to have that nonfiction component included.  It's full of great information (that isn't boring, like more nonfiction Thanksgiving books tend to be!)

I hope you all had a safe and happy Thanksgiving!