We are a multicultural family and as such we celebrate all things Latino and all things American. While Thanksgiving is not widely celebrated in Mexico, it is a big deal for my husband and a time filled with traditions for his side of the family. While raising our bodoques bilingual we get them exposed to both languages and both cultures.
We typically go back to his hometown and have dinner with the whole extended family - aunts & uncles, cousins and their families, something around 35 people. (Though this year with the pandemic, Thanksgiving will be a bit different.) Dinner is a potluck – each family brings something, so it is filled with flavorful turkey, stuffing, so many sides and all kinds of pies that one could imagine! Before dinner one of the older uncles presides prayer and then we all go around the table sharing what one was thankful for that year. It is a time to reflect and be grateful for all your blessings, something that I want my little Latinx to learn.
Here are our top bilingual Spanish book recommendations for celebrating Thanksgiving and teachings on gratitude.
1) Yum!¡MMMM! ¡Qué Rico!: America’s Sproutings
- Author: Pat Mora
- Ages: 6 years – 9 years
- Grades: Kindergarten – 3rd Grade
- Paperback
- Language: Bilingual Spanish
Concept: Through a collection of beautiful poems Hispanic author Pat Mora introduces us to crops native of the continent.
What we like about these books: Each page is dedicated to a specific food and provides more information about where it can be found and how different cultures use it to create their dishes.
2)Gracias / Thanks
- Author: Pat Mora
- Ages: 4 years – 7 years
- Grades: Preschool – 2nd Grade
- Hardcover
- Language: Bilingual Spanish
Concept: Through a series of poetic sentences a young boy shares the everyday things for which he is thankful for.
What we like about this book: Love, love this book! First the main character is a little Lantix so very relatable for los bodoques. Simple rhymes illustrate what is to be grateful and how there are many things to be grateful for. What I love the most is exactly that, as a little kid he is grateful for the little simple things that we sometimes take for granted when caught up in the turmoil of life.
3) Gracias El pavo de Thanksgiving
- Author: Joy Cowley
- Ages: 4 years – 8 years
- Grades: Preschool – 3rd Grade
- Paperback
- Language: Spanish
Concept: Miguel develops a curious friendship with his turkey and plans on saving his life for Thanksgiving. Spanish vocabulary is woven into the text, making it a great addition to your bilingual collection.
What we like about this book: A warm holiday story. It is cute how the community comes together to help Miguel save his turkey.
4) Rubber Shoes: A Lesson in Gratitude / Los Zapatos de Goma: Una Lección de Gratitud
- Author: Gladys Barbieri
- Ages: 6 years – 8 years
- Grades: 1st Grade – 2nd Grade
- Paperback
- Language: Bilingual Spanish
Concept: The story of a little girl that is extremely disappointed with the new rubber shoes her mom buys her. She tries to lose them, get rid of them, until she is taught a lesson of gratitude.
What we like about this book: The message of the book is quite simple, yet enormously powerful – be grateful for what you have. The story is very well narrated so that the message translates to our little Latinx. Since the text is fully in both English and Spanish, this makes the perfect addition to your bilingual library.
5)¡Gracias, Omu! / Thank you, Omu!
- Author: Oge Mora
- Ages: 4 years – 8 years
- Grades: Preschool – 3rd Grade
- Paperback
- Language: Spanish
Concept: Omu is cooking a thick red stew and the smell is so delicious that it lures in all the people from the neighborhood.
What we like about this book: A beautiful message of sharing, community, and gratitude.
6) Thanksgiving: A Bilingual Picture Book
- Author: Cambridge Bilingual
- Ages: 2 years – 5 years
- Grades: Baby – Preschool
- Paperback
- Language: Bilingual Spanish
Concept: Great picture book to introduce words around Thanksgiving and Fall. Written in both languages, it is a good addition to your bilingual collection.
What we like about this book: Very easy read and colorful pictures for the youngest at home.
7) Un Regalo de Gracias: La Leyenda de la Altagracia
- Author: Julia Alvarez
- Ages: 3 years – 7 years
- Grades: Preschool – 2nd Grade
- Language: Spanish
Concept: Maria’s family farm is not going well, the olives are not taking to the new land and the family does not have a crop to sell. But then Maria dreams of a mysterious lady shrouded by the trees.
What we like about this book: Based on the legend of Nuestra Señora de Altagracia (Our Lady of Thanks) the patron saint of the Dominican Republic. Hispanic Author Alvarez writes the story as she heard it when she was little.
Final Thoughts On Thanksgiving and Gratitude Books
With the holidays around the corner, we want to share with you some of our Toy Guides that will make your bilingual holiday shopping so much easier.
2020 Best Bilingual Toys7 Fun Games for Bilingual Families
2019 Toys to Teach Your Child Spanish
Toys and Books that Celebrate Hispanic Heritage and Latino Icons
2017 Bilingual Toys to teach Your Child Spanish
Looking to foster a strong connection to your Latino roots and empower your child through bilingualism? Explore Janny's comprehensive bilingual parenting course, Confident Bilingual Parenting: How to Raise a Bilingual Spanish Child Your Way. Gain valuable insights, practical strategies, and access to a private community, ensuring you have all the tools you need to nurture your child's language development and cultural awareness from an early age. It includes the Bilingual Resources Directory full of toys, books, media recommendations, and yes discounts.
You can also delve into Janny's easy-to-read and visual book, Nobody Told Me This About Raising a Bilingual Child, which not only serves as a practical guide but also makes a thoughtful gift.
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No matter which path you choose, rest assured that we're here to support your bilingual parenting journey in every way.
Feliz Navidad from the mamas behind Mi Legasi!
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