Giving Thanks...with great books!

With Thanksgiving just two days away, I'm looking forward to spending time with family and friends.  Unfortunately, I won't be seeing any of my younger nieces and nephews but if I were here a few of the picture books we would be reading together. 

Turkey Trouble
by Wendy Silvano (illus. Lee Harper)
Publisher: Marshall Cavendish Reference (2009)
Ages: 3-9
(description from Amazon.com)
Turkey is in trouble. Bad trouble. The kind of trouble where it's almost Thanksgiving . . . and he's 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!

A Plump and Perky Turkey
by Theresa Bateman (illus. Jeff Tilley)
Publisher: Turtlebeck (2004)
Ages: 4-9
(description from Amazon.com)
"The people in Squawk Valley/ were downhearted and depressed./ Thanksgiving was approaching,/ but without its special guest." All the turkeys have fled town except for one fowl named Pete who responds to a ploy a "model wanted" ad for the local art show. After posing for various sculptors, painters and collage artists, Pete steals off with a turkey made from oatmeal as payment and joins up with his other feathered pals.

A Turkey for Thanksgiving
by Eve Bunting (illus. Diane de Groat)
Publisher: Clarion (1991)
Ages: 4-8

(description from Amazon.com)

Although a paper turkey decorates Mrs. Moose's Thanksgiving table, she longs for the real thing--so her obliging husband sets out to find her one. He is joined by his soon-to-be dinner guests: Rabbit, in his quilted down vest; poky Porcupine, in his furry earmuffs; and ravenous Mr. Goat, who devours everything in sight, including Sheep's plaid hat. They find Turkey hiding in his nest, surrounded by signs that discourage visitors. Trying to console the terrified bird, Mr. Moose explains: "We just want you for Thanksgiving dinner," which only confirms Turkey's fears.

This First Thanksgiving Day: A Counting Story

by Laura Krauss Melmed (illus. Mark Buehner)

Publisher: HaperCollins (2003)

Ages: 3-7

(description from Amazon.com)

Through a simple, rhyming text of 12 short poems, young readers will experience 10 Wampanoag and 10 Pilgrim friends getting ready for the first harvest feast in the New World.  This story adds the enjoyment of hidden pictures on each page. There is a turkey to find in each colorful spread and lots of small creatures to count. The feast scene has at least 10 critters, maybe more, frolicking, even making off with food. Lots of smiles and counting practice result in a super read-aloud.

I hope your Thanksgiving is filled with lots of friends, family and of course...reading!  Happy Thanksgiving!