This year, we’ve been focused on American History, including the study of indigenous American tribes. Here are the top 6 books about Thanksgiving in America, gleaned from various booklists on my blog.
AND we’ve been continuing our country studies (currently central Africa), so finding the last book about harvest days around the world has been perfect! That would be book number 7, but I’m keeping the title a “Top 6” list and not counting this one as an American Thanksgiving book.
Indigenous Books about Thanksgiving in America
Nickommoh!
From my booklist: Stories from the New England Algonquian Tribes
Nickommoh!
Nickommoh means “a celebrational gathering.” This is also a Thanksgiving story focused on the harvest festival of the Narragansett tribe before colonization. We found the illustrations interesting, with the removal of paint giving the pictures more texture. There is an author’s note and glossary at the end.
The authors and illustrators are from various North American indigenous tribes
Itse Selu
From my booklist: Cherokee Nation
Itse Selu: Cherokee Harvest Festival, read it for free online at archive.org
“Step back in time for a captivating glimpse of Cherokee life in pre-Columbian North America. Join Little Wolf and his family as they prepare to celebrate Itse Selu, the harvest festival. As night approaches the village, the magic of anticipation fills the air. The luscious feast, Grandfather’s storytelling, and the sacred corn dance weave a magical tapestry of tradition.
“ITSE SELU celebrates the rich and expressive spirit of the ancient Cherokee culture. The inclusion of Cherokee vocabulary introduces readers to their language and creates a unique texture. A pronunciation key, alphabet, and glossary are included. The remarkable realism of Don Stewart’s illustrations transports us effortlessly to Little Wolf’s peaceful world.” (from Amazon)
Giving Thanks
From my booklist: The Mayflower and Pilgrims at Plymouth
Giving Thanks: The 1621 Harvest Feast, read it for free online at archive.org
“Told by Dancing Moccasins, a 14-year-old Wampanoag boy, and Resolved White, a 6-year-old English boy, a fascinating historical book brings to life the harvest celebration between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag people in 1621.” (from Amazon)
Keepunumuk
From my booklist: Stories from the New England Algonquian Tribes
Keepunumuk
This Thanksgiving story is a conversation between the spirits of the corn (Keepunumuk), beans, and squash. Fox watches how the Pilgrims flounder through their first year. The three sister spirits decide that the Wampanoag should help the Pilgrims, in keeping with their beliefs. The grandmother’s story ends with the “Many Americans call it a day of thanksgiving. Many of our people call it a day of mourning.” The book does not go into details for why this is, but it is a jumping-off point if parents wish to discuss further.
The endnotes contain more information about the Wampanoag tribes and a recipe for Nasamp, a Wampanoag dish. The authors and illustrators are from various North American indigenous tribes.
“The Thanksgiving story that most Americans know celebrates the Pilgrims. But without members of the Wampanoag tribe who already lived on the land where the Pilgrims settled, the Pilgrims would never have made it through their first winter. And without Weeâchumun (corn), the Native people wouldn’t have helped.” (from Amazon)
We Are Grateful
From my booklist: Cherokee Nation
We Are Grateful, read it for free online at archive.org
“The word otsaliheliga (oh-jah-LEE-hay-lee-gah) is used by members of the Cherokee Nation to express gratitude. Beginning in the fall with the new year and ending in summer, follow a full Cherokee year of celebrations and experiences. Written by a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, this look at one group of Native Americans is appended with a glossary and the complete Cherokee syllabary, originally created by Sequoyah.” (from Amazon)
How Thanksgiving became a National Holiday
Sarah Gives Thanks
Will be included on the booklist for Civil War books
Sarah Gives Thanks, read it for free online at archive.org
“During the nineteenth century, Sarah Josepha Hale dedicated her life to making Thanksgiving a national holiday, all while raising a family and becoming a groundbreaking writer and women’s magazine editor. Sarah Hale’s inspiring story, accompanied by luscious watercolor illustrations, tells the tale of one woman who wouldn’t take no for an answer.” (from Amazon)
Bonus Book for World Studies and not Thanksgiving in America
Harvest Days
“Explore harvest festivals from around the globe! Lyrical, rhyming text and lush, detailed artwork from Italian artist Martina Peluso immerse young readers in some of the most ancient traditions in the world. Nine pages of rich, educational endnotes dive deep with more information about the 12 cultures explored in the book and invite young readers to ask questions about food and the labor that produces it.”(from Amazon)
The eleven countries are: South Korea, Poland, 2 festivals from India, Bolivia, Ghana, Barbados, Morocco, Liberia, Iran, Spain, and Germany. Each page has the right amount of content to keep the flow of a picture book, and there is further information about each festival at the end of the book.