I wish you all a happy Thanksgiving on Thursday!

Perhaps you can find time to read a book over the long weekend between eating, shopping, watching football and spending time with family. Or maybe watch a movie…

Here are a few suggestions. Don’t forget, Polk County Public Libraries will be open on Saturday, and you can access our e-book collection online anytime!

KIDS

“The Thank You Book” by Mo Willems

The “Elephant and Piggie” series is one of my favorites and its humor can be enjoyed by all ages. In “The Thank You Book,” Piggie wants to thank everyone, but Gerald is worried Piggie will forget someone important. Who could that be?

“Bear Says Thanks” by Karma Wilson

Another great picture book series! Jane Chapman’s charming illustrations bring a celebration of family and friendship to life as Bear decides to throw a feast to thank his friends.

“Thanks from the Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle

And now one from my favorite illustrator! This book has a sweet message for little ones: be kind to every creature, care for the trees and oceans, and be curious and brave.

“Llama Llama Gives Thanks” by Anna Dewdney

This one is available as a board book, perfect for babies and toddlers. It’s Thanksgiving time for Llama Llama and his family, which means yummy foods, autumn leaves and being thankful for everything from pumpkin pies to blue skies.

ADULTS

“The Ghost at the Table” by Suzanne Berne

Sisters Frances and Cynthia live on opposite coasts. When Frances arranges to host Thanksgiving at her New England farmhouse, she envisions a happy family reunion. However, she wants to include their long-estranged father while Cynthia doesn’t understand how Frances can ignore the past, particularly suspicions about their mother’s death.

“Turkey Day Murder” by Leslie Meier

Tinker’s Cove has a long history of Thanksgiving festivities. But this year, someone has added murder to the menu, and amateur sleuth Lucy intends to discover who left Curt Nolan dead in this seventh installment of the “Lucy Stone” series.

FILMS

“Planes, Trains, & Automobiles”

Can you believe I’d never seen this classic until last year? It’s so funny! A man (Steve Martin) must struggle to travel home for Thanksgiving with an obnoxious slob of a salesman (John Candy) as his only companion.

“Turkey Hollow”

When the Emmerson family heads to the quaint town of Turkey Hollow to visit their aunt for Thanksgiving, Tim and Annie quickly grow bored and try to track down an elusive monster the locals dismiss as a legend in this family tale from Jim Henson.

“Free Birds”

A hilarious comedy for all ages. Two turkeys must put aside their differences and team up to travel back in time to change the course of history and get turkeys off the Thanksgiving menu for good.

Jen Pace Dickenson is the youth services librarian for Polk County Public Libraries. For information about the library’s resources, programs and other services, visit polklibrary.org or call 828-894-8721.