Although my daughter was still only a toddler, I first read Thanksgiving (True Books: Holidays) by Dana Meachen Rau to her last year in preparation for the Thanksgiving holiday. As a non-fiction children’s book recommended for readers age 8 and up, Thanksgiving (True Books: Holidays) provides a lot of interesting information about Thanksgiving, some of which I did not even know.
Divided into six chapters plus some appendices with additional information, Thanksgiving (True Books: Holidays) offers information on the Thanksgiving holiday, both historical and contemporary. I knew the story of the Pilgrims and the first Thanksgiving. However, I had no idea that the states during early American history could establish various days of thanksgiving. I also knew that Abraham Lincoln made Thanksgiving an official national holiday, but I did not realize that the date of the fourth Thursday in November was not set until 1941.
Thanksgiving (True Books: Holidays) teaches a lot of great information about the Thanksgiving holiday for older readers. Younger readers will enjoy looking at the illustrations and photographs throughout the text as an adult reads the book aloud. Thus, although recommended for third grade readers and up, this book is an excellent holiday read for kids of any age.
Final Verdict: If you are looking for a non-fiction book about Thanksgiving, I highly recommend Thanksgiving (True Books: Holidays) by Dana Meachen Rau. The text is incredibly information, teaching even me some facts that I did not know about the holiday. The pictures help engage younger readers.
Purchase Thanksgiving (True Books: Holidays) on Amazon via my affiliate link.
Image Credits
‘Thanksgiving (True Books: Holidays)’ Book Review © 2013 Heather Johnson
Cover of Thanksgiving (True Books: Holidays) © 2013 Heather Johnson
Inside Pages of Thanksgiving (True Books: Holidays) © 2013 Heather Johnson
