Thanksgiving Books and DVDs for Children

Weekly Trip to the Library for Nannies and Au Pairs

Thanksgiving is an American holiday rich in history and traditions, and these Thanksgiving books and DVDs are wonderful tools to teach children about the spirit of thankfulness while introducing them to the formation of our nation.

Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful and truly happy with our many blessings. While it is common for young children to want more, it is so important for them to be grateful for what they already have, and to remember others who are less fortunate. Thanksgiving books provide the perfect opportunity to read together and reflect upon this valuable life lesson.

Thanksgiving books also educate children about the history behind this beautiful holiday. The characters and events in Thanksgiving books provide children with important historical background which will be explored at several levels of their school Social Studies curriculum.

Thanksgiving is for Giving Thanks
By Margaret Sutherland
Sure, Thanksgiving is about pilgrims and history-and turkey, of course! But, most importantly, it's a holiday all about everything that we are thankful for. Cheerful, colorful illustrations accompany the simple text in this celebration of family, friends, and the holiday that brings them all together.

P is for Pilgrim a Thanksgiving Alphabet
By Carol Crane
From the lives of our early settlers, who established the foundations for American freedoms and ideals, to today's celebrations, P is for Pilgrim colorfully examines the history and lore of Thanksgiving. Educators will find the inclusion of the Core Democratic Values of valuable use for the classroom while kids of all ages will enjoy the bright, engaging illustrations and fascinating sidebar text.

Thanks for Thanksgiving
By Julie Markes
At Thanksgiving time, children express their gratitude for the people and things in their lives. From the turkey on the table to warm, cozy cuddles, life is full of small things and bigger pleasures. But what is most important is being able to share them with family! Julie Markes reminds kids and adults alike about the little details that make each day enjoyable, while Doris Barrette's beautiful and striking illustrations bring her thoughtful words to life.

Winnie the Pooh -- Seasons of Giving

DVD

A collection of Winnie the Pooh's memorable holiday adventures, as Winnie, Piglet, and Tigger set out to find the right ingredients for Winter, Rabbit learns how to manage a complicated Thanksgiving dinner, and everyone gets a special visit from a new friend. Featuring a number of delightful songs for singing along.

Mouse on the Mayflower
VHS
This is a Thanksgiving tale that begins with the ship Mayflower being caught up in a big storm. A church mouse named William tells the story from a mouses viewpoint. He begins with the decision by the pilgrims preacher to move to America, and the packing of the Mayflower. A disaster at sea threatens to sink the ship, but William the pilgrim mouse has an idea to save the ship. The pilgrims land safely and write the Mayflower Compact. They begin to build their new colony and church, but it is already Fall and they do not have enough food stored. The winter is so harsh and food so limited that many pilgrims do not live through the winter. The pilgrims learn to plant crops in the Spring, and in the Fall celebrate with a big feast, the first Thanksgiving. William also scuttles a plan to blame the Indians for an attack on the pilgrims.

An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving
DVD by Sony
Based on the beloved story by Little Women author Louisa May Alcott, director Graeme Campbell's holiday-themed family drama tells the tale of a headstrong teenager who seeks to rescue her family from financial ruin by writing to her long lost grandmother, a wealthy New York socialite. Mathilda Bassett is a quick-witted young writer who just lost her father in an untimely tragedy, and now her mother is struggling just to make ends meet. Though she has never met her grandmother Isabella, Mathilda secretly puts pen to paper in a desperate bid to keep her family afloat financially. By Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide.

Don't forget to stop by next Saturday for another weekly trip to the library for nannies and au pairs.