In this blog post: Read about the best turkey themed picture books for Thanksgiving in Preschool, Pre-K, Kindergarten and first grade kids. You’ll find both fiction and nonfiction turkey children’s books.
I don’t know about you, but as soon as November hits i’m ready for all things turkey! Turkeys has always been one of my favorite themes for November in Kindergarten, and students love it too.
At the beginning of the month they might be calling them chickens (ha!), but by the end of the month they are turkey experts!
And there is no better way to capitalize on the love for turkeys than to read turkey picture books for Thanksgiving. Fiction books about turkeys, nonfiction books about turkeys, we love them all!
That’s why I gathered all of my favorite turkey picture books in one place just for you.
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Turkey Picture Books
There are so many well-written fiction books about turkeys out there. It makes it easy to choose a book that will fit with the specific comprehension skills you’re teaching in November.
When I name the best turkey picture books below, I will also try to give you some ideas for comprehension skills you can cover with them!
Book 1: Turkey Trouble
Turkey Trouble by Wendi Silvano – In this story, turkey needs to come up with a disguise to prevent himself from becoming Thanksgiving dinner! His attempts at coming up with a disguise are hilarious, and the end result is unexpected. (P.S. Have Kindle Unlimited? This story is free to read at the time of publication!)
Turkey Trouble Comprehension Ideas: This book would be great to work on making predictions, sequencing, and problem and solution. You can grab a Turkey Trouble craft and book activities here!
Book 2: A Plump and Perky Turkey
A Plump and Perky Turkey by Teresa Bateman – In this story, the townspeople need a turkey for Thanksgiving so they come up with a devious plan to trick and catch one. In the end, turkey is the one who tricks them!
A Plump and Perky Turkey Comprehension Ideas: This book would be great to work on making predictions, retelling, and problem and solution. The First Grade Reading Curriculum for November has a week of interactive read aloud lessons for this book!
Book 3: Run Turkey Run
Run, Turkey, Run by Diane Mayr – This story is similar to Turkey Trouble, but it’s a little bit simpler and perfect for Preschool, Pre-K, or Kindergarten. Turkey is determined to escape the farmer and not become Thanksgiving dinner. Students will love repeating the refrain “Run, turkey, run!”
Run, Turkey, Run Comprehension Ideas: This book is simpler but it can still target so many reading comprehension skills! Ideas include making predictions, sequencing, problem and solution, character feelings, and inferring (what will turkey do now that he’s left the farm?)
Book 4: Gobble, Gobble
Gobble, Gobble by Cathryn Falwell – In this story, a girl named Jenny follows a pack of wild turkeys and observes them throughout the year.
Gobble, Gobble Comprehension Ideas: This would be a great fiction book to lead into a nonfiction unit about turkeys! You can also work on asking and answering questions, characters and setting, and retelling.
Book 5: A Turkey for Thanksgiving
A Turkey for Thanksgiving by Eve Bunting – In this twist of a story, the animals want turkey to come to Thanksgiving dinner as a guest, not as the meal. However, they have to convince turkey of that first!
A Turkey for Thanksgiving Comprehension Ideas: This book can work on retelling, cause and effect, compare and contrast, character feelings, and making connections.
Book 6: Turk and Runt
Turk and Runt by Lisa Wheeler – In this story, Turk is the big and athletic bird while Runt is.. well, a runt. However, Runt is also the only bird to realize that everyone wants to eat Turk, and he comes up with some silly ways to stop them!
Turk and Runt Comprehension Ideas: This story can work on character traits, comparing and contrasting characters, inferring, problem and solution, and asking and answering questions. The Kindergarten Reading Curriculum for November has a week of interactive read aloud lesson plans for this book!
These books didn’t make the list of the best turkey books, but they still get an honorable mention.
More turkey picture books you might love:
- How to Catch a Turkey
- There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Turkey
- 10 Fat Turkeys
- Cold Turkey
- Tom’s Special Thanksgiving Day
Nonfiction books about turkeys
Looking for nonfiction books to learn all about turkeys? I’ve rounded up the best turkey nonfiction books for kids! These turkey books would be the perfect addition to any all about turkeys unit or just to work on nonfiction reading comprehension skills.
Turkeys by Wendy Strobel Dieker – This is a very basic nonfiction book about turkeys that would be perfect for preschool, pre-k, or kindergarten. Students will love the large nonfiction photos inside!
Turkeys! by Hope Aicher – This book is filled with fun facts all about turkeys.
All About Turkeys by Jim Aronsky – This book is older, but it is still packed with lots of good information all about turkeys. It would be the perfect addition to any research unit.
You might have noticed that there aren’t many nonfiction books to learn about turkeys! That’s why I ended up writing my own. You can get it as a part of my All About Turkeys unit.
This All About Turkeys nonfiction unit includes:
- Turkeys nonfiction book
- Turkey research writing activities
- Turkey life cycle posters and activities
- Turkey crafts
Ready to learn about turkeys with your class? Get the All About Turkeys unit on TpT here!
Or grab it directly from my blog here:
Check Out This Resource From My Shop!
All About Turkeys: Nonfiction Turkeys Unit and the Turkey Life Cycle
The best turkey picture books
When it comes to celebrating Thanksgiving, these turkey picture books are the best! This November, consider trying out one of these turkey read alouds with your class!
