The year is winding down but our monthly read-aloud lists are going strong. Let’s continue celebrating and honoring different holidays of the year from the well-known holidays to the odd, funny, and wacky holidays. Try these read-alouds for the November holidays. Enjoy sharing these books for kids all month long.
Books for Kids About November Holidays
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November 1st: National Family Literacy Day
Help Wanted Must Love Books by Janet Summer Johnson is the tale of a girl looking for a replacement bedtime reader. Is there anyone who can fill her dad’s shoes?
November 2nd: Last Day of Day of the Dead
Our Day of the Dead Celebration by Ana Aranda celebrates family coming together to share memories and connect with each other. Join in on the cooking and celebrating is this festive read.
November 3rd: Japanese Culture Day
Tuttle Publishing shares many books about Asia. My First Book of Japanese Words: An ABC Rhyming Book of Japanese Language and Culture by Michelle Haney Brown introduces us to Japan.
November 4th: National Candy Day
Sometimes I feel like all my kids can think about is candy. In Oliver’s Lollipop by Allison Wortche, Oliver’s thoughts are consumed with the lollipop at the zoo. Will he realize that there is more than lollipops when it comes to a visit to the zoo?
November 5th: Election Day
Perfect for an election year we have V is for Voting by Kate Farrell. Encourage civic engagement starting at an early age with this informative alphabet book “A is for active participation.” and “Z is for zeal.” Learn about what each of the other letters stands for in this beautiful and educational book.
More books about elections are here too.—> Election Day Books for Kids
November 6th: National Nachos Day
Learn all about the person behind that favorite snack food in Nacho’s Nachos: The Story Behind the World’s Favorite Snack by Sandra Nickel.
November 7th: Hug a Bear Day
A little boy needs his bear. Can you spot the bear? Try it out in Where is Bear? by Jonathan Bentley. And, get ready for a surprise ending. This is such a fun read-aloud for circle time.
November 8th: STEAM/STEM Day
The Invention Hunters: Discover How Machines Work by Korwin Briggs is a fun fictional story about a group of museum curators who are in search of pieces to add to their museum. And, they find some very interesting specimens at the construction site. Mixed with the story is information about the items they find.
November 9th: Go to an Art Museum Day
Parker Looks Up by Parker Curry is a touching story of a little girl who looks up in the museum and admires someone who looks like her- Michelle Obama. It’s based on a true story.
November 10th: Sesame Street Day
Sesame Street is a classic so let’s go with a classic Little Golden Book here. Read that childhood favorite There’s a Monster at the End of This Book.
November 11th: Veterans Day
Veterans: The Heroes in Our Neighborhood is by Valerie Pfundstein. The men and women who protect our country are the same people who live and work in our communities. Meet the true real-life heroes living in your neighborhood in this rhythmic story.
November 12th: Fancy Rat and Mouse Day
This series used to be a hit in my classroom full of photographs. Check out Mouse by Barrie Watts.
November 13th: World Kindness Day
Small acts of kindness can change the world and that’s just what Sophie learns in Can Sophie Change the World? by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace.
November 14th: National Spicy Guacamole Day
Little Red Hen wants to make guacamole in Holy Squawkamole! by Susan Wood. However, Armadillo, Iguana, Coati, and Snake have no interest in collecting the ingredients needed to make the tasty dish. A recipe for guacamole is included in the back of the book along with a glossary.
November 15th: National Recycling Day
Kenya’s Art by Linda Trice is the story of a little girl on spring break who is looking for something to do. She discovers that she can use her broken and outgrown toys to create a recycled masterpiece.
For more books about recycling, check this list.—> Books About Recycling for Kids
November 16th: Button Day
The Good for Nothing Button! by Charise Mericle Harper is from the Elephant & Piggie Reads series. Yellow Bird has a button. It’s a good-for-nothing button. Or, is it?
November 17th: National Homemade Bread Day
I love making bread. Bubbie & Rivka’s Best-Ever Challah (So Far!) by Sarah Lynne Reul is a multigenerational story on the quest to find the perfect challah bread recipe.
November 18th: National Princess Day
The Storytelling Princess by Rafe Martin is the story of a princess who refuses an arranged marriage. She will choose her own prince. The princess enters a storytelling contest and wins more than she was expecting.
For more books about princesses, check out this big list.—> Books About Princesses for Kids
November 19th: National Play Monopoly Day
You’ve probably played it many times, but do you know how the game, Monopoly was invented? Pass Go and Collect $200: The Real Story of How Monopoly was Invented by Tanya Lee Stone tells the story.
November 20th: Future Teachers of America Day
Have you ever seen a teacher out in the wild? My students were always so surprised to see me at the grocery store. Rescuing Mrs. Birdley by Aaron Reynolds is a hilarious read about finding your teacher out of her natural habitat and the lengths a student will go to return her where she belongs.
November 21st: National Gingerbread Cookie Day
The Gingerbread Boy by Richard Egielski is one of my favorites. This version takes place in NYC and the gingerbread boy passes construction workers and even hits the subway. The illustrations are beautiful.
For more gingerbread books, check out this list.—> Gingerbread Books for Kids
November 22nd: Humane Society Anniversary Day
Madeline Finn and the Shelter Dog by Lisa Papp is a sweet story about a little girl who learns about shelter animals and decides to make a difference in their lives by collecting towels for bedding and bringing the community children in to read to the animals.
November 23rd: Eat a Cranberry Day
Usher in fall with Time for Cranberries by Lisl H. Detlefsen which shows how cranberries are harvested.
November 24th: Celebrate Your Unique Talent Day
Find your gifts, explore, experiment, and try are just a few of the messages you’ll take away from This Could Be You by Cindy Williams Schrauben. Discussion questions are included in the book along with reframing statements. Plus, a bonus mirror for kids to see themselves in the book.
November 25th: National Play Day with Dad
The Way to Treasure Island by Lizzy Stewart is the story of a father and daughter on a treasure hunt. Matilda and her dad are best friends, but they are completely different. However, each of their strengths compliments the others making for truly adventurous memories. Turns out that sharing experiences with others can be even more meaningful than attempting them alone.
November 26th: International Cake Day
Marigold is a cat with a personality. Marigold Bakes a Cake by Mike Malbrough is a funny tale of a cat who just wants to spend his Monday making a cake. But, things don’t go according to plan.
November 27th: National Electric Guitar Day
Check out Gizmos, Gadgets, and Guitars: The Story of Leo Fender by Michael Mahin which is a picture book biography about Leo Fender. He’s the person who has inspired many musicians.
November 28th: Red Planet Day
Mars! Earthlings Welcome by Stacy McAnulty introduces us to the red planet. This nonfiction picture book is entertaining and informative.
November 29th: Native American Heritage Day
Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story by Kevin Noble Maillard introduces us to a food that has a history, a story, and a purpose for a family. It is a wonderful treat to get a glimpse into a family and expand our understanding of other families and the lyrical text makes this a beautiful read-aloud. There is even a recipe for fry bed at the end of the story along with lots of author notes.
For more books Native Americans, see this list.—> Native American Author and Illustrator Books
November 30th: National Personal Space Day
Don’t Hug Doug (He Doesn’t Like It) by Carrie Finison is for exploring personal space and preferences. Many people do not like giving or receiving hugs and that is okay. This book opens the conversation about hugging.
Printable List of November Holiday Books
Grab a printable list of the books to enjoy with the kids.
Happy Reading!
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This post was first published 10/24/22 and has since been updated.