Read Aloud Books for Kids from Smart Kidz Club

Thanksgiving Books for Kids

Thanksgiving books help children understand what the holiday is really about: gratitude, family, sharing food, and the history of the first feast. This list mixes the story of Thanksgiving itself with stories about being thankful, so you can read one a night through November and finish at the Thanksgiving table.

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The Thanksgiving story

Three books that explain the holiday itself, from a first introduction to the history behind it.

Thanksgiving Day cover
Read Along BookThanksgiving Day by Smart Kidz Club

Thanksgiving Day

Ages: 7 to 9 years, 5 to 7 years | Grade: Grade 3 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 10 pages, 990 words, about 8 minutes

A clear introduction to Thanksgiving for ages 5 to 9, to talk about together after. 8 minutes.

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Daniel's Day at the Thanksgiving Parade cover
Read Along BookDaniel's Day at the Thanksgiving Parade by Meagan J. Meehan

Daniel's Day at the Thanksgiving Parade

Ages: 9 to 11 years, 7 to 9 years | Grade: Grade 4 | Level 4 - Advanced Readers | Read Along Book | 18 pages, 1285 words, about 11 minutes

Daniel has watched the Thanksgiving Parade on TV, but this is his first time out in the cold, among the crowds, watching it live in New York. For older kids, Grade 4, 11 minutes.

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Early North American Settlers cover
Read Along BookEarly North American Settlers by Edward Alan Kurtz

Early North American Settlers

Ages: 9 to 11 years, 7 to 9 years | Grade: Grade 5 | Level 4 - Advanced Readers | Read Along Book | 15 pages, 1295 words, about 10 minutes

The history behind the holiday: early settlers, farms, towns, seaports, and culture. Grade 5, 10 minutes.

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Gratitude stories

Four stories about being thankful, giving back, and noticing the good stuff. Read one a night through November and finish at the Thanksgiving table.

The Grateful Crane cover
Read Along BookThe Grateful Crane by Smart Kidz Club

The Grateful Crane

Ages: 7 to 9 years, 5 to 7 years | Grade: Grade 3 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 13 pages, 620 words, about 5 minutes

A heartwarming Japanese folktale about kindness, gratitude, trust, and secrets. When an old man rescues a crane trapped in the snow, an unexpected visitor arrives with a gift that changes their lives. 5 minutes.

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The Circle of Help cover
Audio BookThe Circle of Help by Sippi S.

The Circle of Help

Ages: 9 to 11 years, 7 to 9 years | Grade: Grade 4 | Level 4 - Advanced Readers | Audio Book | 18 pages, 1790 words, about 18 minutes

A chain of selfless acts across a small town shows how giving back comes full circle and how people create a harmonious community by supporting one another. The audio edition runs 18 minutes, and the hearable edition lets your child listen with no screen at all.

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Also available as hearable book

The Monkey and the Boar cover
Read Along BookThe Monkey and the Boar by Samrath Singh

The Monkey and the Boar

Ages: 5 to 7 years, 3 to 5 years, 7 to 9 years | Grade: Grade 2 | Level 3 - Intermediate Readers | Read Along Book | 8 pages, 360 words, about 3 minutes

An ancient Japanese tale that shows the significance of cleverness and gratitude. Just 3 minutes, and a hearable edition for listening without a screen.

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Also available as hearable book

Fall cover
Read Along BookFall by Smart Kidz Club

Fall

Ages: 3 to 5 years, 5 to 7 years | Grade: Pre-K | Level 2 - Easy Readers | Read Along Book | 10 pages, 50 words, about 1 minutes

A tiny, gentle easy reader about the fall season, about 1 minute long. Just right for a very sleepy toddler who still wants one more book.

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How to use this list at home

  1. Read one book a night through November, starting with the Thanksgiving story books.
  2. After each story, ask one question: what are we thankful for today?
  3. On Thanksgiving week, read The Grateful Crane or The Circle of Help at the table, and let everyone name one kindness they received this year.

Questions parents ask us

What age should we start with?

For toddlers, start with Fall, a one-minute read. For ages 5 to 9, Thanksgiving Day is the clearest introduction. For older kids, Daniel's Day at the Thanksgiving Parade and Early North American Settlers go deeper.

Can we listen without a screen?

Yes. The Circle of Help and The Monkey and the Boar both come as hearable editions, audio only, with nothing on the screen. Downloaded books also work offline.

What is the difference between Thanksgiving Day and Daniel's Day at the Thanksgiving Parade?

Thanksgiving Day explains the holiday: its history, foods, and traditions. Daniel's Day is a story about one boy's first time watching the parade live in New York.

Is there a gratitude book for younger kids?

Yes. The Monkey and the Boar is 3 minutes and works for ages 5 to 9, and Fall works for toddlers. The Grateful Crane fits ages 5 to 9.

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