Thanksgiving is the perfect time of year to slow down and appreciate the young nieces and nephews in our lives.  A great way to spend some quality time with your little ones is to snuggle up with a good Turkey Day picture book.  

We have picked out the most humorous books about the trials and tribulations of the beloved turkey. These books tickle the funny bone as the center of the Thanksgiving feast does everything in its power to avoid a terrible fate!   




Thelonius Turkey Lives!
By Lynn Rowe Reed

Thelonius is one determined turkey who refuses to follow in the footsteps of the others who previously disappeared on Thanksgiving Day.  Watch out because this adorable story of one spunky turkey may just change your mind about digging into a delicious Thanksgiving dinner!  But not to worry because a twist at the end will leave readers surprised and relieved for the bird whose personality shines through.




Over the River: A Turkey’s Tale
By Derek Anderson
 
Over the river and through the woods, a family of turkeys set out for an appropriately meatless Thanksgiving dinner. In the midst of their journey, they must avoid the trap of those out to make THEM the center of the feast.  Vibrant artwork and humorous pictures make this a highly entertaining Thanksgiving read.




Ten Fat Turkeys
By Tony Johnston
Illustrated by Richard Deas

Little nieces and nephews learning to count will love this colorful book about ten very silly turkeys.  Our feathered friends drop in numbers (think 10 Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed) with each daring and utterly preposterous feat. A perfect Thanksgiving read-aloud for toddlers!



Turk and Runt: A Thanksgiving Comedy
By Lisa Wheeler
Illustrated by Frank Ansley

In a turkey’s world, being an over-achiever is a surefire way to land your rump in the roaster.  Unfortunately, the only one who can clearly see talented Turk’s future is his little brother Runt, whose predictions are ignored time and again.  While Mom and Dad are busy boasting about their eldest son’s accomplishments, the younger one is hard at work trying to save his brother’s life.  Kids love this hysterical story about turkeys oblivious of their Thanksgiving Day fate. Gobble, gobble!


A Plump and Perky Turkey
By Teresa Bateman
Illustrated by Jeff Shelly

Finally, a gaggle of turkeys that have learned a lesson or two from their predecessors!  The witty birds of Squawk Valley have made it difficult for its residents to enjoy a succulent Thanksgiving Day feast.  And so, in an effort to catch the most attractive turkey, the people advertise for an “artist’s model” for a local fair.  Vanity almost gets the plumpest victim into deep water, but the clever turkey manages to outwit the townsfolk and avoid the chopping block.

What are your favorite Thanksgiving books for children? Please yours in the Comments section below!