In this blog post, I am sharing our favorite living picture books for children to learn about the First Thanksgiving, plus a free, printable book list. These books include historical stories about the Wampanoag tribe, Squanto, the Pilgrims, and more.

The Thanksgiving season is a great opportunity to pause to make history more meaningful, linger on Scripture about thankfulness, or connect with children through meaningful stories and picture books. A Treasured Thanksgiving was created to bring these ideas to life, teaching the history of the First Thanksgiving and encouraging children to develop gratitude in their hearts during this season.

See all of our favorite picture books below.

In this blog post:

• Favorite living picture books for Thanksgiving [Free printable PDF booklist]
• A Treasured Thanksgiving holiday unit study

Favorite living picture books for Thanksgiving [Free printable PDF booklist]

I love to sit and read new books and old favorites with tea or a treat as I read aloud and have my children narrate the story back to me. I love reading picture books that share different stories and viewpoints about the Thanksgiving holiday, so my children can learn and grow together.

Here are some of my favorites we revisit each year:

The Thanksgiving Story, by Alice Dalgliesh

I love this retelling of the First Thanksgiving and the classic illustrations. It shares the challenges and difficult journey the Pilgrims encountered as they voyaged to a new land aboard the Mayflower, and how they survived with help from the Native Americans.

People of the Breaking Day, by Marcia Sewall

This book shares the story of Wampanoag people, the tribe that lived in southeastern Massachusetts at the time the Pilgrims landed. This story brings the world of the Wampanoags to life through beautiful illustrations and shares what it was like when two cultures came together in the time period surrounding the First Thanksgiving.

Squanto’s Journey: The Story of the First Thanksgiving, by Joseph Bruchac

This is the true story of Squanto, a member of the Wampanoag tribe, and how he welcomed the Pilgrims and helped them survive.

For a full list of my favorite Thanksgiving books, grab the free booklist below. This list includes books about Pilgrims, the Mayflower, Native Americans, Squanto, and other historical figures connected to the holiday. It includes both picture books and chapter books. This book list is designed to supplement and coordinate with A Treasured Thanksgiving or can be enjoyed on its own.

A Treasured Thanksgiving holiday unit study

A Treasured Thanksgiving is a Charlotte Mason-inspired curriculum designed with your whole family in mind. It’s an invitation to study the historical Thanksgiving story in a hands-on way. Through Scripture, poetry, art studies, picture books, projects, baking, geography, and narration, your family will spend the two weeks before Thanksgiving connecting together and focusing on the meaning of the holiday. Dive deep into themes like the Pilgrim’s voyage to America, the Wampanoag people, the First Encounters, the First Thanksgiving, and the relationship between the Pilgrims and Native Americans in the first year. Featuring a robust book list of picture books and chapter books, this study provides resources for the whole family.

I hope you love this free book list! Let me know your favorites in the comments below. See all of my favorite homeschool books and resources on my Amazon storefront. Check out all of our free book lists here.

Lyndsey Mimnagh is a homeschool mom of four, founder of Treehouse Schoolhouse, and lifelong believer in the power of stories, play, and creativity. Lyndsey lives in North Carolina with her husband and children and can usually be found reading aloud, crafting, hiking, or enjoying good espresso. Connect with her on Instagram @treehouse_schoolhouse.