Favorite November Read Aloud Books for Kindergarten - FREE ACTIVITIES
I am so excited to share my November read-alouds with you!
This time of year is one of my favorite times. I’m ready for the holidays and the cold weather, the family time, and the wonderful memories. What better way to commemorate this time of year than fun November stories?
I have even created a few FREE book companion activities you can print right on this blog post.
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If you need more ideas and FREEBIES for teaching this month, be sure to visit my November homepage!
I share so many ideas:
Morning work
Calendar time
Math
Phonics
Math and literacy centers
My FREE November lesson plans
…. and so much more!
Let’s get started with our favorite November read-alouds!
To make it easy for you, I have linked all my FREE book companion activities in one file at the end of this blog post.
Turkey Trouble by Wendy Silvano
This book is sure to make both you and your students laugh! It details a turkey’s silly idea to disguise himself as different animals in effort to avoid being cooked for Thanksgiving dinner. After some pretty comical attempts, he comes up with the perfect disguise.
Turkey Trouble would be a great story when discussing a problem and solution.
You could also read this before allowing your students to devise some clever turkey disguises of their own.
If you don’t own the book, you can show this video!
Update 2023:
I got so many emails that you all love this books as much as I do, so now I’m sharing even more resources to go along with this adorable book on a separate blog post.
CLICK HERE for my comprehensive unit to go along with this story
The Night Before Thanksgiving by Natasha Wing
The Night Before Thanksgiving puts a cute spin on the classic Twas The Night Before Christmas poem. This story is about a family who is eagerly preparing for their Thanksgiving celebrations.
Students will enjoy listening as the family bakes pies, tunes into a holiday parade on TV, waits for their relatives to arrive, sets the table for a delicious feast, and more! This is a perfect book to read before having your students discuss their own family’s traditions.
The Leaf Thief by Alice Hemming
Squirrel’s tree is missing a leaf, and he is convinced there must be a leaf thief. Who could it be? In this adorable story, Squirrel goes on an adventure with his friend Bird to hunt down his missing leaf. Could it be one of their forest friends?
It is a perfect choice to read when discussing seasonal changes and how unexpected changes can sometimes cause you to feel anxiety.
I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie by Alison Jackson
Your students may or may not be familiar with this book based on the timeless song about the old woman who swallowed a fly. Regardless, Alison Jackson is sure to entertain you with this one. Younger audiences will be amazed as the old woman in the story somehow manages to swallow a squash, a salad, and even a ginormous turkey.
Will she ever be able to control her appetite? How on earth will this end for the old lady? Be sure to read all the way to the end for a good laugh. This book would also be perfect for reviewing rhyming words and sequencing!
Tree Full of Wonder by Anna Smithers
This tale is worth reading for its beautiful images alone. Anna Smithers does a remarkable job of pointing out the importance of trees and why we should all be grateful for them.
Students will learn how trees provide us with oxygen, protect our planet from unfriendly climate change, give us woods to make useful things, and more! After listening to this story, children should be able to understand how critical it is to protect trees and how they will be forever bonded to people and living things.
Stone Soup is an ideal choice for reminding your students of the importance of teamwork and how much they can accomplish by working together. In this story, three tired and hungry soldiers stumble upon a French village after a long journey.
They struggle to find a meal to eat, and a place to lay their heads after everyone they speak to is hesitant to help. Is it possible to make a large soup for the whole village to enjoy with just three stones? Perhaps with just a few pinches of generosity and friendship, magic can happen!
Splat the Cat Says Thank You by Rob Scotton
Don’t miss out on reading this story when talking to your students about being grateful. In this sweet tale, Splat the Cat tries to cheer up his mouse friend Seymour by writing a thank you book. In the book, Splat lists off the kind and often silly reasons he is thankful for Seymour’s friendship.
Students are sure to laugh out loud as they see the illustrations in this book and listen to Splat’s take on why his friend Seymour is so special. After reading, perhaps challenge your students to write a thank you card to a friend of their own!
Thanksgiving is for Giving Thanks by Margaret Sutherland
Regardless of whether or not your students celebrate Thanksgiving, we all have reasons to be thankful. This thoughtful picture book teaches children that Thanksgiving means more than just pilgrims and a feast. It means thinking about our blessings and sharing them with others.
This book would be a great one to add to your November read-alouds simply because it provides an easy introduction to the concept of giving thanks and appreciating the little things in life.
Want an adorable video to play for your kids instead of using your teacher voice, try this one!
If you’re looking for a calming book that captures how mesmerizing seasonal changes can be, look no further. Cynthia Rylant does an excellent job of pointing out the signs of fall and what makes it one of the most memorable times of the year.
Her words are so descriptive that students should be able to visualize and appreciate the beauty of autumn easily. In November is a story that will undeniably make a lasting impression on young readers!
Gratitude is My Superpower by Alicia Ortego
In this sweet story, Little Betsy learns how important showing gratitude is. A magic stone helps her think of the many reasons she should feel thankful, but what happens when she loses the stone?
Could it be that true gratitude is found within?
Children will appreciate how easily they can relate to Little Betsy and how they should always reserve a special place in their hearts for the people and things they are grateful for.
Kids will love this powerful read-aloud!
Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter by Kenard Pak
This is an excellent story choice for teaching how people and animals prepare for colder weather. Young audiences will enjoy looking at the beautiful illustrations and listening to the journey of a young brother and sister who travel across their town.
As they wander about, the siblings notice the different signs of a seasonal change. Throughout their observations, they say goodbye to autumn and a warm hello to winter.
The Secret Life of Squirrels by Nancy Rose
Squirrels have never looked cuter than they do in this book. The candid pictures of them in this story will appeal to readers of all ages. Students will get a kick out of Mr. Peanuts and his many talents…including playing the piano and reading books.
In this comical read, Mr. Peanuts decides to write a letter to Cousin Squirrel to see if he will come for a visit. Be sure to read this one to find out if he takes Mr. Peanuts up on his offer.
Who knew squirrels kept such great secrets?
Ten Fat Turkeys by Tony Johnston
Can your students count backward? They will be able to after this story! This funny read highlights ten turkeys who are fooling around on a fence. One by one the turkeys fall off the fence when they try to swing from a vine, rollerskate, swan dive, and more.
Will these turkeys ever learn to quit clowning around? Your students will absolutely love finding out!
Taylor the Thankful Turkey by Sonica Ellis
Can turkeys actually be thankful too? Little Taylor the turkey sure is. This simple yet touching story teaches younger audiences that while being thankful is wonderful, showing others your appreciation is so much more important.
Children will learn the valuable lesson that actions often speak louder than words. In this story, Ellis motivates us all to think of ways we can demonstrate gratitude and spread kindness.
Because of an Acorn by Lola Shaefer
There are so many things that happen because an acorn appears. A tree grows, a bird builds a next, children collect acorns, and so much more.
Beautiful images cover the pages of this enchanting story about ecosystems and how life works together in mysterious ways. Use this book to discuss life cycles and other science concepts with your kids.
Balloons Over Broadway by Melissa Sweet
This is a fabulous Thanksgiving picture book unlike any other. Balloons Over Broadway teaches children about the puppeteer who invented the very first balloons in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Both adults and children will learn so much about Tony Sarg and how dedicated he was to his work and bringing joy to others. This true-life story is sure to be one that your students can’t stop talking about.
Awesome Autumn by Bruce Goldstein
This is a great nonfiction book to add to your list of November read-alouds, Awesome Autumn lists off factual information for children so they can easily learn how Fall differs from the other seasons. Children will understand why animals migrate and why the days are shorter and nights are longer.
Golstein touches on leaves changing, Halloween and Thanksgiving, and even what kinds of clothes to wear in Autumn. This book would be perfect to use when testing out your students’ knowledge of Autumn and helping them answer questions about the Fall season.
Fall Mixed Up by Robert Raczka
If Fall isn’t already your favorite season, this book will try to convince you it is.
Readers will listen to the many different reasons why it is easy to be all mixed up with Fall’s pleasures. Robert Raczka shares how we often experience this season with our senses.
From watching apples change color, feeling warm hats and gloves, tasting delicious caramel pumpkins, and more. Make sure to save room on your classroom bookshelf for this one!
Hibernation Station by Michelle Meadows
This calming, rhyming book will have children everywhere wanting to curl up and take a nap! Hibernation Station begins with forest babies and their mamas in fuzzy slippers and warm pajamas.
As the story proceeds, children will learn about different hibernating animals who are trying to sleep on a train. The problem is there is way too much noise! Will they ever be able to slip into a deep slumber? Read to find out!
This is the story of a boy named Tim and the first pumpkin he ever carved named Jack. After some time, Tim becomes disappointed when Jack begins to rot and places him in his family’s garden. Little by little, Jack begins to change. First, a tiny sprout pops up where Jack had been.
Then with some watering, a vine, and yellow flowers! Next, a mysterious green ball. Could it be that a new pumpkin would grow in Jack’s place? This story will entertain your students and teach them about the life cycle of a pumpkin all at the same time.
Did you know that you can set up an Amazon Class Wish List? Parents and donors can help you purchase supplies!
Hover over Accounts & Lists at the top right of your browser on Amazon. Click create a wish list and get started!
It is so quick and easy to create a wishlist, and so many parents will happily support building your classroom library!
This is not my video, but I thought it may be helpful for you!
Ready to print all of these free book companion activities for November?!
I hope you love these as much as we do!
Need more ideas to teach in the month of November?
I share my free lesson plans, videos, pictures, ideas and more for the entire month!
CLICK HERE FOR MY NOVEMBER LESSON HOMEPAGE
I’ll email you my entire week of lesson plans and FREE activities!
Click the pictures below to see what I am teaching each day.
