Must-Have Spanish Thanksgiving Books to Read With Your Kids

Guys, I love Thanksgiving. It brings back memories of my grandmother’s dining room, neverending games of Trivial Pursuit, and my all-time favorite Thanksgiving dish, stuffing. And now that I’m a teacher, Spanish Thanksgiving books can be added to my list of favorites.

While el día de acción de gracias isn’t a Hispanic holiday, it is celebrated by millions of American Latinos in the US. Since it’s a time to emphasize the importance of gratitude and thankfulness, why not drive those lessons home in both English and Spanish.

These Spanish Thanksgiving books are a small selection of strong titles that mix classics, with witty, modern tales and poignant award-winners. I’m positive you’ll find just the Spanish Thanksgiving book you need for your classroom or at-home library. Please note that this post contains affiliate links.

Must-Have Spanish Thanksgiving Books to Read to Your Kids

#1 El Pavo Que se Olvidó Cómo Hacer Glu-Glú

By Alexis H. Purcell, illustrated by Allison Keeme

Joey the turkey has lost his gobble. He doesn’t remember how he’s supposed to sound. Is it guau, miau, mu, or quiquiriquí? With some help from his friends on the farm, Joey figures out how to get his gobble back.

What this story lacks in it’s basic illustrations, it makes up for in it’s cute story and repetitive text. Students can act out the different animal sounds as Joey figures out how to gobble again.

El Pavo Que se Olvidó Cómo Hacer Glu-Glú is also available in English as The Turkey Who Forgot How To Gobble.

#2 ¿Pavo para la Cena de Gracias? ¡No, gracias!

By Alma Flor Ada, Illustrated by Viví Escrivá

You can’t go wrong with Alma Flor Ada. With over 200 titles under her belt, Ada doesn’t disappoint with this Thanksgiving-ready title, that just so happens to be a companion to Charlotte’s Web.

A little spider (her grandmother’s great grandmother was Charlotte) helps a turkey avoid becoming Thanksgiving dinner -afterall her ancestor did save a pig once.

A cute ode to the classic middle grade book, that gives readers a taste of Thanksgiving, mixed with a lesson on taking care of yourself.

¿Pavo para la Cena de Gracias? ¡No, gracias! is also available in English as Turkey for Thanksgiving Dinner? No Thanks!

#3 Gracias, Thanks

By Pat Mora, illustrated by John Parra

A simplistic, bilingual take on giving thanks. A young boy shows readers how to be grateful for the little things as he narrates a few snapshots of his very normal, everyday life.

The illustrations alone make this title worth a read, let alone the lyrical text. While it’s not a book specific to Thanksgiving, it’s a fantastic story to get kids talking about gratitude.

#4 ¡Un día una señora se tragó un pavo!

By Lucille Colandro, illustrated by Jared Lee

A whimsical, Thanksgiving twist on I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly. Kids who are familiar with the story will love seeing this Señora eat everything unusual, starting with a whole turkey. ¡Un día una señora se tragó un pavo! is a highly entertaining ride that can be used to discuss sequencing and making predictions.

#5 Gracias: El pavo de Thanksgiving

By Joy Cowley, illustrated by Joe Cepeda

In this next Spanish Thanksgiving book, young Miguel becomes close friends with a turkey named Gracias. You’ll love watching the bond grow between the two characters as well as the sweet, funny, heartwarming (and even action-packed) moments placed throughout the book. Will Gracias end up as Thanksgiving dinner or boy’s best friend?

Gracias the Thanksgiving Turkey is also available in English, with Spanish vocabulary sprinkled in and an Spanish/English dictionary at the end of the story.

#6 ¡Gracias, Omu!

By Oge Mora

I’ve seen this book popping up everywhere -and for good reason ¡Gracias, Omu! is expertly crafted.

It’s got beautiful imagery and an endearing message about sharing and giving. Kids will be able to jump in on the action with the repetitive text and want to predict what will happen next.

No, this book isn’t about Thanksgiving, but it embodies the spirit of the holiday in a way that every child will be able to understand and discuss.

It’s also available in English as Thank You, Omu!

What Spanish Thanksgiving books will you be reading this year?

Thanksgiving will certainly be looking different this year. But that doesn’t mean we can’t continue to teach our kids about gratefulness and kindness. These Spanish Thanksgiving books hit just the spot for all of you teachers and bilingual families.

¡Feliz día de acción de gracias everybody!