Families who loved Turkeys We Have Loved and Eaten (and Other Thankful Stuff) by Barbara Park often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your child is feeling the pressure of holiday 'performance' or struggling with the expectation to be perfectly grateful. Junie B. Jones provides a hilarious and honest mirror for children who find certain traditions, like scratchy costumes or forced thankfulness, more annoying than magical. It is a fantastic tool for normalizing the complex feelings that arise during school events and family holidays. The story follows Junie B. and her classmates as they compete in a Thanksgiving 'thankful list' contest to win a pumpkin pie. Along the way, Junie B. tackles her rivalry with 'Tattletale May' and tries to find things she is actually thankful for, even when they aren't the standard answers. This book is ideal for early elementary readers (ages 6 to 9) who enjoy humor and realistic school dynamics. It offers a low-pressure way to discuss honesty, social friction, and the idea that gratitude doesn't have to look perfect to be real.
