Thanksgiving & Family Storytime

This storytime was for a preschool-aged group at my library.

Read Aloud Books

The Family BookWritten and illustrated by Todd Parr

There are all kinds of families in different shapes and sizes--and each one is special. We opened with this book after I talked to the kids about Thanksgiving, what they eat, and who they spend it with. They seemed to enjoy it.

Four Friends in AutumnWritten and illustrated by Tomie dePaola

On a crisp fall day, Mistress Pig invited her friends over for dinner. But they waited and waited at the table, only to discover Mistress Pig may be having too much fun in the kitchen by herself. It's cute, and it's a good reminder that you can have Thanksgiving dinner with friends, too.

Turkey TroubleWritten by Wendi Silvano, illustrated by Lee Harper

Turkey will try anything to hide from the farmer, including dressing up like the other animals. But when all those options fail, he might have to come up with an even better idea. I'm SO glad I read this book, because I had this little girl just laugh and laugh (it is really quite funny), which made all the other kids laugh. They all loved it.

Songs and Rhymes

Hello Song

Action Rhyme: Finger Family

This is mama, kind and dear. (point to thumb)

This is papa, standing near. (pointer finger)

This is brother, see how tall! (middle finger)

This is sister, not so tall. (ring finger)

This is baby, sweet and small. (pinky finger)

This is the family, one and all! (wiggle all fingers)

This is grandma, grandpa, uncle, aunt, cousin...

(a good chance to explain "immediate family" & "extended family")

Song: If you love your mom and know it, blow a kiss

(Tune: If you're happy and you know it)

If you love your mom and know it blow a kiss

If you love your mom and know it blow a kiss

If you love your mom and know it

And you really want to show it

If you love your mom and know it blow a kiss

(and then I let the kids call out other family members they love)

(I passed out some colorful scarves for the next song & rhyme, and the felt-board activity)

Song: The Turkey Pokey

(Tune: The Hokey Pokey)

You put your wings in, You put your wings out.

You put your wings in and you shake them all about

You do the turkey pokey and you turn yourself around

That's what it's all about

...drumsticks (legs), tail feathers (bottom), stuffing (tummy),

wattle (head), whole turkey self

Action Rhyme: Wobble, Wobble, Wobble

Wobble, wobble, wobble walks the turkey (rock back and forth)

Gobble, gobble, gobble talks the turkey (talking motion with hands)

Turkeys spread their feathers on Thanksgiving Day (spread your arms)

Turkeys spread the feathers and they fly away! (flap your arms & scarf)

Goodbye Song

Games and Activities

Felt: Turkey needs his feathers!

I put Mr. Naked-Turkey on the board and asked the kids what was missing. Yep, he needs some feathers. Since I had already passed out colored-scarves (for the songs & rhymes), I asked the kids to help the turkey get his feathers by calling out the colors of their scarves. So, if they said, "Red!" then all the kids with red scarves would wave it around frantically while the rest of us chanted...

Turkey wore a red feather

red feather, red feather

Turkey wore a red feather

And flapped his wings

...and patted our knees along to the beat. Then Turkey got a feather. We went through each of the color of the scarves until Turkey wasn't so naked. They thought it was great fun. 

Craft: Turkeys!

And so, of course, it was time for their own turkey decorating.

I had cut out all the pieces beforehand with our die-cutter, (and cut some paper plates in half) and the kids simply glued everything together. The finished products were adorable. Definitely a fun craft.

Other Book Ideas

Thanks for ThanksgivingWritten by Julie Markes, illustrated by Doris Barrette

Run, Turkey, Run!Written by Diane Mayr, illustrated by Laura Rader

How to Babysit a GrandpaWritten by Jean Reagan, illustrated by Lee Wildish

The Thankful BookWritten and illustrated by Todd Parr