Wednesday, November 11, 2026

Favorite Thanksgiving Books

One of our favorite ways to include some holiday magic is through reading good picture books in our morning time.  Even though my youngest is now in high school, picture books still are a great way for us to open up conversation.  This is a list of some of our favorites... from learning about the pilgrims to focusing on gratitude and community.  I'm hoping you'll find something here that inspires your homeschool as well.

 Thanksgiving on Plymouth Plantation (The Time-Traveling Twins)

Thanksgiving on Plymouth Plantation by Diane Stanley

The time traveling twins and their grandmother are at it again.  This time they don their clothing and travel to Plymouth Plantation to experience the hardships of Early American life.  They learn about harvest, Sunday traditions, and meet a few historical figures along the way.

Book cover: Sarah Morton's Day - A Day in the Life of a Pilgrim Girl by Kate Waters, photos by Russ Kendall. Shows a girl in Pilgrim dress and white bonnet holding a wicker basket outdoors. Scholastic Bookshelf edition.

Sarah Morton's Day by Kate Waters

This photographic picture book follows Sarah Morton as she completes the chores and tasks of the day.  Sarah represents a young girl living in on Plymouth Plantation as she learns to cook, tend the goats and chickens, complete household chores, converse with a friend, and learn how to get along with her new stepfather.  The pictures add a significant amount of context to the story and really make Early American history come alive.

Thanksgiving in the Woods (Countryside Holidays, 1)

Thanksgiving in the Woods by Phyllis Alsdurf

A cozy read about a real family who hosted a Thanksgiving feast in the woods for over 20 years.

The Thanksgiving Door

The Thanksgiving Door by Debby Atwell

When Ed and Ann's Thanksgiving dinner burns, what they thought was a disaster turns out to be a blessing.  An immigrant family welcomes them in to their own celebration where they share an evening of food, warm, and community.  This is a great reminder to open our doors and hearts to others during this time of year, and year round.

Book cover: 'Thank You, Sarah: The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving' by Laurie Halse Anderson, illustrated by Matt Faulkner. Shows a woman in 19th-century dress writing at a desk, with a turkey, American flag, and corn stalks nearby.

Thank You, Sarah by Laurie Halse Anderson

This inspirational and historical tale tells the story of Sarah Hale who spends 35 years petitioning Presidents and Congress to revive the tradition of Thanksgiving.  It was through her tireless efforts that Thanksgiving became a national holiday.

Book cover for 'Sharing the Bread: An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving Story' by Pat Zietlow Miller and Jill McElmurry, featuring illustrated vintage-style family of four holding a roasted turkey, bread, and pie.

Sharing the Bread by Pat Zietlow Miller

This picture book tells the story of a family working together to prepare a Thanksgiving feast.  Everyone plays a part... from the grandfather who makes the cranberry sauce on down to the little boy making pilgrim hats.  When the work is through, all sit down to enjoy together.

Book cover: Bear Says Thanks by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman. A large brown bear raises its arms joyfully among woodland friends -- a badger, crow, owl, mole, mouse, and hare -- gathered on a blue blanket with food and a campfire nearby.

Bear Says Thanks by Kara Wilson

Bear decides to throw a feast, and all his friends arrive with dishes to share.  Only one problem... Bear's cupboard is empty.   A heartwarming tale about friendship and being truly thankful.

Book cover for Cranberry Thanksgiving by Wende and Harry Devlin. Bold red arched title text with illustrated cranberry branch above a painted autumn scene of a cottage, bare trees, and two small figures walking.

Cranberry Thanksgiving by Wendi and Harry Devlin

Every year Grandmother and Maggie each invite a guest to Thanksgiving dinner.  This year, Maggie has extended an invitation to Mr. Whiskers, a gruff seaman that Grandmother definitely doesn't approve of.  But this Thanksgiving both Grandmother and Maggie are about to learn that one shouldn't judge a book by its cover.

What are some of your favorite Thanksgiving books?

Monday, November 9, 2026

Thanksgiving Morning Basket Ideas ll Collab

*This post was originally published on 11/5/18.  Enjoy!




Sharing what's in our November morning basket with a special emphasis on Thanksgiving.  

Boy Boss Mama:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvrQy_Ml6tuc8Z4k83kmaXg?view_as=subscriber&fbclid=IwAR2FiQtZ4Qx_FlbPqrX-puBCZuyESD5XGGmd_ZBzYw-9h52KRLclsHqmq7c

The Waldock Way:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqCX1WaxK7QNR2dDdklS-VQ?fbclid=IwAR3OsG5YaUhHqlQ15jDqm0-sBdTU-2c6zAqeZ2CYSharWHEtwbG1qRUHd0Y

Playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzNNQK8zt5ZNvBubE4iJwGGAORrwis5QA&disable_polymer=true&fbclid=IwAR194Do__LQgXJoUaKX2Y3UV5s-pRO4aqwNJ1LnHKWyGf9sdHsSQjkLbFa4

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Wednesday, November 4, 2026

On Fostering Sibling Relationships

One of the reasons we started this homeschool journey was out of a desire to have a strong family bond.  We didn't want our kids to only see and know us for only a few hours a day.  Looking long term, we wanted something more.  And looking even father into the future, I wanted to give my kids a head start toward close sibling relationships.  While nothing is guaranteed, I wanted to give them the best shot at truly being a close knit family.  

These are just some of the ways we've tried to intentionally nurture those relationships:

1. Shared family experiences-- Hiking, bike rides, camping, annual family traditions have all formed a basis for family experiences.  We include friends when we can, but also plan some opportunities just for family memories.

2. Shared family read alouds-- This is just another way we have family experiences.  We've traveled all over the world, and through time and space through the books we've read.  They've given us inside jokes and shared vocabulary that is still apart of our family life today.

3. Family projects-- Whether cooking together or completing tasks that require family teamwork, these moments have taught us to communicate, exercise our patience and laugh with one another.

4. Celebrating each other-- Some of the ways we've celebrated each other have been through writing encouraging notes, sharing things we appreciate about each other, making dessert to celebrate each others accomplishments, and offering a high five or hug when one of the siblings accomplished a goal.

5. Learning to resolve conflict-- Because we're together so much, conflicts naturally arise.  On the plus side, being together has also given us the time to work out these conflicts.  By listening, practicing a genuine apology, and working through forgiveness, we've come to a better understanding of each other.

As always, we are a work in progress and I've love to hear below...

How do you foster sibling relationships in your home?

Monday, November 2, 2026

Fall Life Skills for Kids

With the upcoming holidays, fall is the perfect opportunity to incorporate life skills into your homeschool.  Valuable skills like food preservation, baking, homemaking, hospitality and more can be put into practice with real tangible results.  Not only will they grow as helpers, but their sense of self will be enhanced as they make real contributions to family life.

The following is a list of life skill particularly suited for this time of year.  Incorporate only a few in the coming months and save the rest for next year.  Don't overwhelm you kiddos, but rather think of this as a running list that you work on throughout their elementary years.


1. Rake leaves (maybe jump in them as well)

2. Knock down cobwebs 

3. Organize the pantry

4. Inventory ingredients needed for the holidays

5. Knit a scarf for a loved one

6. Learn to sew a button

7. Measure ingredients for pumpkin muffins

8. Help change the bedding for guests

9. Clean the bathroom

10. Help stack wood

11. Help build a fire

12. Bake a loaf of bread

13. Learn a simple breakfast for guests

14. Help bake a pie

15. Learn to make elderberry syrup

16. Make place cards for Thanksgiving

17. Roast potatoes (sweet and savory)

18. Roast pumpkin seeds

19. Practice greeting guests with a smile

20. Work on interesting conversational questions


What ever skills you choose to work on, remember to practice on a day that you have lots of patience and are well-rested.  Learning is always a more enjoyable experience when Mom is joyful and present.  And have fun.  Remember that every life skill takes practice, but you are specifically well suited for teaching your child and look toward the long term.  You're doing great!

What life skills are you working on this season?

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