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There are many children's books that tell the story of Thanksgiving, but many are factually incorrect and others tend to sugar coat things and give children an inaccurate understanding about real historical events. It is very rare when a children's book author deliberately sets out to present important information to children in a fun, interesting, exciting and comprehensible manner.

Here are some outstanding books that are suitable for children of a range of ages and they will present the real Thanksgiving story in a far more accurate fashion.

*"Turkeys, Pilgrims and Indian Corn: The Story of Thanksgiving Symbols" by Edna Barth, with illustrations by Ursula Arndt.

This book is suitable for toddlers, pre-schoolers, kindergartners and elementary school aged children. It is the story of America's truest holiday and of the symbols and legends associated with the holiday. It is a blend of prose and careful research in which Barth explores the multicultural origins and evolution of the unfamiliar and familiar symbols that are associated with the holiday.

*"Squanto And The Miracle of Thanksgiving" by Eric Metaxas and Shannon Stirnweis.

This book is ideal for pre-school, kindergarten and elementary school students. It is an entertaining story about the hero of Thanksgiving. It tells the story of how English settlers kidnapped Squanto, who at the time was a 12 year old Indian boy and they took him to Spain where he was sold into slavery. The Pilgrims believed that God had brought Squanto to them to help them because they settled on the land where Squanto's tribe had perished.

*"The Very First Thanksgiving Day" by Rhonda Gowler Greene with illustrations by Susan Gaber.

This book is ideal for toddlers, pre-schoolers, kindergartners and elementary school aged children. It is the story of the first Thanksgiving, but it is told in cumulative rhyme, making for a fun story. The beautiful illustrations will help give young children and young readers an understanding of this important national tradition.

*"1621, A New Look at Thanksgiving"

This book was published by National Geographic and was written in collaboration with Plimoth Plantation, the living history museum that is a recreation of the colonial Plimoth Colony. The book is ideal for 8 to 12 year old children because it gives them an accurate account of the first Thanksgiving in 1621. The texts and photos present the story from two viewpoints: that of the Wampanoag people, and that of the English colonists.

*"Giving Thanks," written by Jonathan London and illustrated by Gregory Manchess

This book is a simple story that describes a boy's hike through the woods with his father as his father shares his gratitude and love of nature with his son. The over-sized book features magnificent double page oil paintings on linen that depict nature's beauty.

This is a selection of books that are suitable for children of a wide age range. With the exception of the last book that is more of an attempt to help children understand the concept of being thankful, the others are all geared at teaching children the real meaning of the Thanksgiving symbols while helping them understand the factual events that brought about this important national tradition in the first place.

Learn more about this author, Theresa Rose.
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