30 Heartwarming Picture Books About Gratitude

Published: September 5, 2023

A child bursting with gratitude shares her thanks for the earth, the sun, and other natural provisions that make life more delightful. I love the language in this book and the simple, casual ways, the narrator thanks her surroundings, “Psst! Sunflowers!… I see you–taller every day!” The illustrations are charming and colorful. Great for older kids ages 4 and up.

Published: November 2, 2021

When a girl realizes that her formerly close-knit family now spends more time with their devices than they do together, she hatches a plan to bring them together again. While this picture book isn’t on the nose about gratitude, it highlights the value of spending time as a value and thankfulness for the gift of togetherness.

Published: September 7, 2021

This is one of my favorite gratitude picture books. It features a girl recounting the small and large things she’s grateful for–including soft things like snow, cold things like a cold cloth on her head when she’s sick, and hard things like the smooth ground she rides her bike on. The best part is the paper links of gratitude she makes. This could be an excellent gratitude exercise for young readers–and the illustrations are so whimsical.

Published: August 21, 2020

Thanksgiving books for kids teach us about coming together with our loved ones and giving thanks for all that we have. I Am Thankful is an adorable, rhyming storybook that follows three families celebrating the holiday with their traditions, acts of kindness, and ways of giving back.

Published: August 6, 2024

Here’s one to pre-order for next year! I love Jarvis’s Bear and Bird series, and he brings the same whimsy and wonder to this charming picture book in which a kid thanks everything from the sun and moon to his boots and stomach. The spare text and collage illustrations add to the delight factor.

Published: October 27, 2020

Grunt the Grizzly was a grumpy bear. But his grumpiness was making him miserable. Luckily, he has amazing friends, Punk the Skunk, Sloan the Sloth, and Brave the Beaver, who teach him that he can be in charge of his own happiness. Maybe their mantra can help him see past the negative and focus on the positive.

Published: September 3, 2019

Shaped like a handprint turkey art craft, this colorful rhyming board book is all about the important things to be thankful for on Thanksgiving! This Thanksgiving book of five important thank yous is the perfect way for parents to celebrate and share the meaning of the holiday with their child.

Published: January 8, 2019

“Misery loves company,”” Mama says to James Otis. It’s been a rough couple of months for them, but Mama says they’re blessed as long as they have their health and strength. One Sunday before Valentine’s Day, Reverend Dennis announces the service– the Temples have lost everything in a fire, and the church is collecting anything that might be useful to them. James thinks hard about what he can add to the Temple’s “”love box,”” but what does he have worth giving? This is a touching picture book about the power of gratitude, giving, and compassion.

Published: October 2, 2018

Omu’s stew smells so good while she’s cooking it that many people from the neighborhood stop by to get a taste–and Omu gives and gives. But will there be any left for Omu at the end? Oge Mora’s collage-style illustrations add depth to this story about the joys of giving and gratitude.

Published: January 12, 2017

Generous Mr. Panda is giving away presents to all his animal friends, including a mouse, an octopus, an elephant, and a lemur, but they aren’t being very grateful about the gifts they receive. It may be because the presents aren’t quite right. Mouse receives a sweater that’s too big, and Octopus gets six colorful socks even though he has eight legs. Fortunately, thoughtful little Lemur knows that even if the present isn’t perfect, it’s the thought that counts most of all. The popular picture book is now available in a board book edition!

Published: October 16, 2012

The Thankful Book celebrates all the little things children can give thanks for. From everyday activities like reading and bathtime to big family meals together and special alone time between parent and child, Todd inspires readers to remember all of life’s special moments. 

Published: September 4, 2012

Bear has come up with the perfect way to say thanks—a nice big dinner! When Bear decides to throw a feast, his friends show up one by one with different platters of delicious food to share. There’s just one problem: Bear’s cupboards are bare! What is he to do?

Published: January 8, 2015

Friends come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. In Amos McGee’s case, all sorts of species, too! Every day he spends a little bit of time with each of his friends at the zoo, running races with the tortoise, keeping the shy penguin company, and even reading bedtime stories to the owl. But when Amos is too sick to make it to the zoo, his animal friends decide it’s time they returned the favor.

Published: September 8, 2009

Following a circle of family and friends through the course of a day from morning till night, this book affirms the importance of all things great and small in our world, from the tiniest shell on the beach, to warm family connections, to the widest sunset sky

Published: January 1, 2007

All Jeremy wants is a pair of those shoes, the ones everyone at school seems to be wearing. Though Jeremy’s grandma says they don’t have room for “want,” just “need,” when his old shoes fall apart at school, he is more determined than ever to have those shoes, even a thrift-shop pair that are much too small. But sore feet aren’t much fun, and Jeremy soon sees that the things he has — warm boots, a loving grandma, and the chance to help a friend — are worth more than the things he wants.

Published: October 19, 2009

In a series of poetic sentences, a young boy (biracial Mexican/Caucasian) tells about some of the everyday things for which he is thankful. Come share the joy, and think about all the things for which you can say, ¡Gracias! Thanks!