As Thanksgiving Day draws near in the US, I’ve found the Perfect Picture Book to share with the littles in your life, whether they’re family or friends.
Title: Happy Friendsgiving: A Thanksgiving Celebration of Found Families
Written By: Marcie Colleen
Illustrated By: Laura Sandoval Herrera
Publisher/Date: Doubleday Books for Young Readers/2025
Suitable for Ages: 4-8
Themes/Topics: Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving, celebration, food, sharing, holiday meal, friends
Opening:
Friends travel.
Eager faces press against windows in cabs, cars, planes, trains as they zip, zag, and zoom along their way.
“They’re here!”
From down the hall or miles away—
a jumble of laughter and hugs.
Today’s the day that brings us all together.
Brief Synopsis: A joyous celebration of Friendsgiving
Links to Resources:
· Check out these free kids’ Thanksgiving activities;
· Check out these kid-friendly menu items that young children can help prepare;
· How do you thank those who grow and prepare the food we eat for Thanksgiving and other celebrations? Draw a picture or write a letter to thank those who work so we can celebrate.
Why I Like this Book:
With rhythmic text and a focus on the many actions that occur on Thanksgiving Day, Colleen explores how we celebrate with friends as well as family.
Leading up to the big celebration, readers see friends traveling from both near and far, friends preparing the meal, friends sharing tasks including decorating and set up, friends gathering, and friends giving. As the day progresses, we view friends feasting, friends relaxing after the big meal, friends helping with clean up, and friends sharing loving greetings as the day ends. Such a joy-filled day, as Colleen reminds readers that “Friends celebrate everywhere.”
With brightly colored, detailed illustrations, Sandoval Herrera features a diverse group of friends with smiling faces working and playing and feasting together.
Whether you celebrate Thanksgiving in Canada or the US, or whether you celebrate some other harvest day, Happy Friendsgiving is a joyous new picture book to savor, like a delicious meal with loved ones.
A Note about Craft:
Addressing the reader directly, Colleen’s rhythmic, action-filled text propels this story forward, even as it encourages readers to pause and celebrate among friends. Tables and chairs are “mismatched,” pies go “into the oven to bubble and bake,” streets are “buzzing.” How did we get there? We “zip, zag, and zoom,” as we remember we “are not alone.”
This Perfect Picture Book entry is being added to Susanna Hill’s Perfect Picture Book list. Check out the other great picture books featured there!
Wander, Ponder, Write 