

Children’s Books about Gratitude and Thankfulness
Expressing a sense of gratitude and thankfulness makes us happier and healthier by appreciating what is around us. These children’s books about gratitude will inspire your students to appreciate the small things in life.

Expressing a Sense of Gratitude and Thanksgiving
Expressing a sense of gratitude and thankfulness makes us happier and healthier; playing a role in our overall wellbeing. It helps us look at our lives in terms of what is around us and not just material things.
Gratitude is more than saying thank you. It is about being thankful for the things we care about – family members, friends, nature and acts of kindness. Showing gratitude shows that you value and understand the recipient of your appreciation and thanks.
Characteristics of an Appreciative and Grateful Mindset
- Recognition of what people do
- Naturally express a happier and positive mindset
- Communicates appreciation to others spontaneously
- Recognises what is happening around them
- Appreciates the little things and not just material objects
- Values the people in their life who are supportive
- Has resilience to face difficulties
- Understands life is not always fair
Key Benefits of an Appreciative and Grateful Mindset
- Increased happiness and a positive mindset
- Creation of positive relationships
- Inspiring others to be grateful
- Engaging with people and surroundings naturally
- Increasing imagination and creativity, academically and personally
Questions for Children’s Books about Gratitude
Here are a few questions to ask your students before, during and after reading children’s books about gratitude and thanksgiving.
- I am thankful for ______ because _______.
- Did you thank someone today? Why?
- What acts of kindness have been important to you? Why?
- What places/people do you feel grateful for? Why?
- Tell me about one thoughtful action you showed someone.
- What is the best thing that has happened today? Tell me why.
- What made you smile today?
- Tell me about the most beautiful thing you saw today.
- How do your family and friends show they care for you?
- How do you show your family and friends you care for them?
- Who can you always rely on?
Children’s Books about Gratitude and Thankfulness
Gratefulness is an abstract concept for children, but reading children's books about gratitude and highlighting great examples makes it easier to understand. Book characters model how your students can show gratitude in their own life.
Around the Table That Grandad Built by Melanie Heuiser Hill
Bear Says Thanks by Karma Wilson
The Beckoning Cat by Koko Nishizuka
The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth by Oliver Jeffers
Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña
Little Bird by Germano Zullo
The Table Where Rich People Sit by Byrd Baylor
The Thank You Book by Mary Lyn Ray
The Thank You Book by Mo Willems
The Thank You Letter by Jane Cabrera
Thank You, Mr Panda by Steve Antony
Thank You, Omu! by Oge Mora
Thankful by Eileen Spinelli
The Thankful Book by Todd Parr
Thanks A Million by Nikki Grimes
Thanku: Poems of Gratitude by Miranda Paul
Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts
Under the Lemon Moon by Edith Hope Fine
We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga by Traci Sorell
What Is Given from the Heart by Patricia C. McKissack
When Grandma Gives You a Lemon Tree by Jamie L.B. Deenihan
Willa and the Bear by Philomena O’Neill
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What Next?
Below are a couple of videos about gratitude you may want to use. I also found this article from PBS parents Beyond “Thank You:” Helping Your Five-Year-Old Understand and Express Gratitude that you could share with parents.
I would love to know the children's books about thanksgiving and gratitude books you use to promote a thankful attitude in your classroom. Do you do any activities promoting gratitude?
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