Teaching kids to say thank you or practice gratitude, in general, is an essential part of their upbringing. These picture books about gratitude show kids how it’s done. Whether it’s Thanksgiving or not, use these delightful books to help your kids develop a practice of gratitude.
The Best Children’s Picture Books About Gratitude
Here are some of the best picture books about gratitude:
Thank You, Day!
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.
Our Table
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.
Gratitude Is My Superpower
Published: July 7, 2021
Little Betsy will learn that happiness is made up of simple things in life, both small and big. With the help of the magic stone, she will begin to feel gratitude for her parents, friends, and toys. But what happens when little Betsy forgets to use the magic of her stone? She will realize that the power of gratitude is hidden in her heart.
Thank You, Day!
Published: September 2, 2021
Taylor the Thankful Turkey is an easy-to-read children’s book about giving thanks and being grateful. The goal of this book is to teach kids that being thankful is more than just being grateful for you have, but also showing others your appreciation. This helps to build self-esteem and confidence, and makes you a positive and uplifting person.
Zen Pig
Published: September 2, 2021
In the first book of Mark Brown’s critically acclaimed children’s book series Zen Pig teaches our children the importance of gratitude, mindfulness and compassion in a way that’s easy for them to understand. A great daily read full of wisdom that’s paired with simple, beautiful art perfect for children and adults alike.
Thank You, Day!
Published: September 7, 2021
A Little Golden Book perfect for reading at the Thanksgiving table! When their teacher asks them to share what they’re thankful for, each child in this wonderfully-diverse classroom mentions their favorite things in rhyme: I am thankful for my grandma’s pies, her cookies, and her sweet-potato fries. I am thankful for my puppy’s tricks, my comfy slippers, and kitty-cat’s licks. The fun text and illustrations with inspire preschoolers and their families to share what they are most thankful for too!
Thankful
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.
I Am Thankful: A Thanksgiving Book for Kids
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.
Thank You
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.
Grunt the Grizzly Learns to be Grateful
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.
Five Little Thank-Yous
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.
What Is Given from the Heart
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.
Thank You, Omu!
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.
Around the Table That Grandad Built
Published: September 10, 2019
In a unique take on the cumulative classic “This Is the House That Jack Built,” a family gathers with friends and neighbors to share a meal around a table that brims with associations: napkins sewn by Mom, glasses from Mom and Dad’s wedding, silverware gifted to Dad by his grandma long ago. Not to mention the squash from the garden, the bread baked by Gran, and the pies made by the young narrator (with a little help). Serving up a diverse array of dishes and faces, this warm and welcoming story is poised to become a savored part of Thanksgiving traditions to come.
Apple Cake: A Gratitude
Published: September 24, 2019
I buy everything Genevieve Godbout illustrates, and this one is just so darling! A little girl expresses thanks for several things, many of which can be used to bake her favorite apple cake. The illustrations are warm and cozy, epitomizing the feel of fall. There’s also an apple cake recipe at the end.
Otis Gives Thanks
Published: September 5, 2017
Giving thanks makes Otis happy. He gives thanks for the land and country he loves. Otis is thankful for time to play games like hide-and-seek and ring-around-the-rosy. He cherishes his farm friends who make life on the ranch as happy as can be. And most of all, everyone’s favorite tractor is thankful for the greatest thing in life: love.
We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga
Published: September 4, 2018
Join a Cherokee community through all four seasons as they express gratitude for new seasons, births, celebrations, and everything in between using the word otsaliheliga (oh-jah-LEE-hay-lee-gah). This picture book has Cherokee words sprinkled throughout and includes a glossary at the end.
Thanks from the Very Hungry Caterpillar
Published: August 15, 2017
Perfect for Thanksgiving or any day of the year, this charming book of pictures is the colorful way to tell loved ones “thanks!” Featuring art from the World of Eric Carle, this joyful book follows The Very Hungry Caterpillar and celebrates all that makes us most thankful.
When Grandma Gives You a Lemon Tree
Published: March 5, 2019
“When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” In this imaginative take on that popular saying, a child is surprised (and disappointed) to receive a lemon tree from Grandma for her birthday. After all, she DID ask for a new gadget! But when she follows the narrator’s careful—and funny—instructions, she discovers that the tree might be exactly what she wanted after all. This clever story, complete with a recipe for lemonade, celebrates the pleasures of patience, hard work, nature, community . . . and putting down the electronic devices just for a while.
Llama Llama Gives Thanks
Published: August 15, 2017
In Llama Llama Gives Thanks, it’s Thanksgiving time for Llama Llama and his family! That means yummy foods and autumn leaves and being thankful for everything from pumpkin pies to blue skies. Thanksgiving may only come once year, but in Llama’s family, giving thanks is always here!
My Heart Fills With Happiness
Published: May 11, 2021
The sun on your face. The smell of warm bannock baking in the oven. Holding the hand of someone you love. What fills your heart with happiness? This beautiful book, with illustrations from celebrated artist Julie Flett, reminds little ones and adults alike to reflect on and cherish the moments in life that bring us joy. This is the English and Ojibwa language edition.
Thankful
Published: September 1, 2015
What do the waitress, firefighter, children, artist, and other characters in this story have in common? They are thankful! The waitress for her comfy shoes, the artist for color and light, and the children for their morning story time. This is a warm, delightful story perfect for giving thanks.
Last Stop on Market Street
Published: January 8, 2015
CJ wonders why he and his grandma aren’t as well off as some people with a car or an iPod. But when he and Grandma go to a soup kitchen to give to others, CJ realizes what truly matters. Such beautiful illustrations and a shining lesson to focus on the beauty around us–and of course, be thankful.
Thank You, Mr Panda
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!
The Thankful Book
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.
Bear Says Thanks
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?
A Sick Day for Amos McGee
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.
All The World
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
Those Shoes
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.
Gracias /Thanks
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!
There they are: 30 sweet picture books about gratitude! Which of these books have you read? What did I miss?
What do you think? Leave a comment