Introduction:
Thanksgiving is a time for family, food, and giving thanks. It’s also a great time for young writers to practice their craft, inspired by some popular children’s literature. In this article, we present ten Thanksgiving-themed writing prompts inspired by well-known children’s books, designed to spark creativity and foster a love of writing in young minds.
1. Inspired by “A Turkey for Thanksgiving” by Eve Bunting
Prompt: Imagine you are Mr. Moose, and you just befriended Turkey before the big dinner. Narrate your first-ever Thanksgiving meal with Turkey as an honored guest instead of the main course.
2. Inspired by “Balloons over Broadway” by Melissa Sweet
Prompt: Write a story about what happens when the parade balloon characters from your favorite children’s book escape their handlers and explore the city together on Thanksgiving Day.
3. Inspired by “The Night Before Thanksgiving” by Natasha Wing
Prompt: Describe in detail how you’d help your family prepare for Thanksgiving if you stumbled upon a special note from your favorite book character requesting an invitation to dinner that night.
4. Inspired by “Thank You, Sarah: The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving” by Laurie Halse Anderson
Prompt: If you had the power to save a beloved holiday like Sarah Hale did, which holiday would it be? Write an argumentative essay explaining why that holiday deserves to be celebrated and how you’d go about convincing people to make it happen.
5. Inspired by “Pete the Cat: The First Thanksgiving” by Kimberly and James Dean
Prompt: Imagine a crossover adventure where Pete the Cat celebrates Thanksgiving with other famous children’s book characters. What challenges would they face, and how would they overcome them together?
6. Inspired by “Turkey Trouble” by Wendi Silvano
Prompt: In this hilarious story, Turkey tries all sorts of disguises to avoid becoming dinner. Write an alternate ending where the farm animals join forces and devise a clever plan to save Turkey from being the Thanksgiving feast.
7. Inspired by “Bear Says Thanks” by Karma Wilson
Prompt: Write a Thanksgiving-themed thank-you letter from the perspective of your favorite children’s book character to their best friend, expressing gratitude for special moments they’ve shared.
8. Inspired by “Thanksgiving Is Here!” by Diane Goode
Prompt: Create a dialogue-heavy story that captures the conversation between different children’s book characters as they gather around the Thanksgiving table to share their favorite experiences.
9. Inspired by “I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie” by Alison Jackson
Prompt: Write a playful poem about another quirky character from children’s literature who, at Thanksgiving dinner, devours an enormous amount of unusually-shaped food items instead of traditional dishes.
10. Inspired by “Amelia Bedelia Talks Turkey” by Herman Parish
Prompt: Create a new list of ridiculous misunderstandings Amelia Bedelia might make while preparing for Thanksgiving celebrations with famous children’s book characters at her side as guests.
Conclusion:
Using these 10 Thanksgiving writing prompts inspired by children’s literature, young writers can connect with their favorite stories and characters in new and creative ways. Encourage them to explore different styles and genres while expressing their gratitude this holiday season, and watch as their love for writing grows. Happy Thanksgiving and happy writing!
