Food, Family, Community, Gratitude: 10 Picture Books to Enjoy This November

November is all about togetherness and counting your blessings. In many households, it also involves a delicious meal shared with the people you love most. This month, consider checking out the following titles that focus on topics including food, family, community, and gratitude!

We Give Thanks

by Cynthia Rylant and Sergio Ruzzier

This title celebrates all that an adorable animal community is thankful for, including "apple trees and bushes filled with roses" and "nice warm soup and fires to warm our toeses."

Saturday at the Food Pantry

by Diane O'Neill and Brizida Magro

Out of food, Molly’s mom shares that they will be visiting the food pantry. While there, Molly encounters her classmate who seems embarrassed to be there. Together, the girls cheer up the community with special drawings and come to realize that everyone needs help sometimes.

Ten Beautiful Things

by Molly Griffin and Maribel Lechuga

Lily has to move to Gram's home in empty old Iowa, and she's not happy about it. Gram makes the journey an opportunity for mindfulness and gratitude, encouraging Lily to find ten beautiful things.

Thankful

by Elaine Vickers and Samantha Cotterill

A girl makes a thankful chain to last through December, with each link featuring something she's thankful for, my personal favorite being "a teacher who knows when I am trying my best."

Our World of Dumplings

by Francie Dekken and Sarah Jung

The residents of an apartment complex prepare for and celebrate Dumpling Day together. The day culminates in a rooftop party where everyone gathers together and shares stories over plates of homemade dumplings.

A Feast For Joseph

by Od Bonny, Terry Farish, and Ken Daley

Joseph misses eating nightly with others as he and his mom did at the refugee camp. This is a story about adjusting to a new home, slowing down, and enjoying the company of others.

Our Table

by Peter H. Reynolds

This "mystical fable" reminds readers of the importance of togetherness and being truly present with the ones we love.

Black-Eyed Peas and Hoghead Cheese: A Story of Food, Family, and Freedom

by Glenda Armand and Steffi Walthall

This powerful new release features a child and her grandmother preparing for the New Year’s Meal. The Grandma tells stories about the food for their meal, explaining the origins of each item and its significance in African American culture.

All Are Neighbors

by Alexandra Penfold and Suzanne Kaufman

This lovely new release depicts a diverse community of people from many different cultures and backgrounds having fun and cooperating with one another.

Jayden's Impossible Garden

by Melina Mangal and Ken Daley

This is a heartwarming story of an intergenerational friendship & bringing nature to the city through a community garden.

You can shop all of these titles and more at the link here: https://bookshop.org/lists/food-family-community-gratitude-november-children-s-books

About the author:

Elizabeth is a mom to a toddler, a teacher, and children's book fanatic! Her favorite formats are picture books and graphic novels. On her Instagram @thekidlitmama, she enjoys sharing the best in kid lit, especially engaging + inclusive new releases, and how to use different titles at home and/or in the classroom.