Children’s Books About Gratitude That Inspire Thankfulness

Reading children’s books about gratitude is an easy way to nurture an attitude of gratitude in the home or classroom. Gratitude books for kids provide simple lessons about thankfulness and a subtle way to approach the concept of gratitude for life.

Children’s books about gratitude for toddlers, preschoolers, and kids of all ages provide a subtle way to approach the concept of gratitude. Reading gratitude board books for kids can, therefore, be an effective way to nurture an ‘attitude of gratitude’ and help children learn to express gratitude for life.

If you are looking for children’s books about thankfulness that are highly entertaining, great for young children or early readers, and include morals and lessons about caring, sharing, and love…

These kids’ books about gratitude and thankfulness have it all!

Each of these awesome books about thankfulness for kids provides simple lessons for nurturing gratitude and good manners in the home or classroom. Gratitude books for parents can be found listed after the round-up of thankful books for kids.

Related: Gratitude Activities for Kids

Related: Books That Teach Important Life Lessons

Thankful Books for Kids: Best Picture Books on Gratitude

Reading books about thankfulness with toddlers, preschoolers, and elementary-aged children is an effective way to teach and inspire gratefulness every day.

Gratitude and grateful thinking are about expressing appreciation for what one has, as opposed to focusing on what one does not have. Gazing upon the world through the eyes of gratitude can help us to see that the glass is half full as opposed to half empty.

Showing gratitude, and, grateful thinking has been researched to be associated with increased levels of optimism and empathy. When we are thankful for what we have, we are given more of what we are grateful for, and, can find greater happiness in life.

During Thanksgiving and the holidays is when most families approach the concept of thankfulness, but it is important to share simple lessons on gratitude, friendship, and generosity throughout the year.

A simple way to teach kids to express gratitude for life is to share children’s books about thankfulness and gratitude with them. Parent resources for raising grateful kids can be found at the bottom of this article.

Related: 40 Thanksgiving Gratitude Activities and Crafts

Related: Thanksgiving Traditions and Fun Things to do on Thanksgiving

Gratitude Books for Kids that Inspire Thankfulness

Below, we have listed the best books for kids on gratitude. Read these picture books on gratitude with your children to cultivate an attitude of gratitude in your home or classroom.

Search for these thankful books for kids’ at your local library or used bookstore. If you can not find any of these kids books about gratitude, we have provided affiliate links for your convenience.

**Click on the title of each gratitude book for kids’ to learn more about it.**

My First Gratitude Journal by Creative Kids 

A gratitude journal is designed to help children see what they have to be grateful for, through the act of writing it down. Showing gratitude can help children have a more positive thankful attitude, and, lear to treat others with more compassion.

My First Gratitude Journal contains a mix of different types of pages for both drawing and writing. We share a few more of the best gratitude journals for kids below.

Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message by Chief Jake Swamp (Author), Erwin Printup (Illustrator)

Giving Thanks is a modified version of the Thanksgiving Address, a message of gratitude commonly spoken each morning that has been adapted for children by a chief of the Mohawk nation.

A tribute to Mother Earth and the beauty of the natural world, the “good morning message” is traditionally delivered at the beginning of each day and at special ceremonies. Its simple, timeless message bears witness to the Native American reverence for nature, and, sense of unity with all living beings.

Gratitude Soup by Olivia Rosewood

Help your children learn to whine less and appreciate more with this wonderful children’s book about gratitude for preschoolers and kids of all ages.

This colorful rhyming gratitude book for kids is perfect for teaching your children about gratitude. Your children may even be inspired to make their own Gratitude Soup!

Llama Llama Gives Thanks by Anna Dewdney

Here’s a fun Llama Llama book to read with your kids at Thanksgiving. In Llama Llama Gives Thanks, Llama Llama and his family give thanks for everything that they have. Even though Thanksgiving only comes once a year, for Llama’s family, giving thanks is always here!

The Thank You Book by Mo Williams

Children familiar with the Mo Williams characters Elephant and Piggie tend to enjoy this book more, but the message of gratitude that is shares can be clearly felt by all that read it.

It is fun to share The Thankful Book with the kids in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving and to discuss the different ways that they can express gratitude.

Today I am Grateful: Adventures in Gratitude by Lorraine Miller 

Children can learn to be more grateful when the adults in their lives teach them how to find gratitude in life.

This book about thankfulness was created to inspire children of all ages to experience the incredible power of gratitude. By taking the time to think about all the amazing things that happen to them each day, children can learn to find appreciation for what matters most to them.

Let’s Be Thankful by P.K. Hallinan

Here’s a simple children’s book about gratitude for toddlers and kids of all ages with a positive lesson about the power of thankfulness. “Let’s be thankful” acknowledges people, animals, and activities that bring joy into a child’s life. Parents and educators can read this book with their children to reinforce the concept of gratitude.

An Awesome Book of Thanks by Dallas Clayton 

Teaching children about gratitude can be tough. The Thankful book shows kids how to look around and be grateful for all the wonderful things in their lives.

Written for children of all ages, this timeless story is sure to be an instant classic, at home in the hands of anyone looking for the perfect reminder of just how beautiful life can be.

The Thankful Book by Todd Parr

A wonderful book about Thankfulness to help kids share gratitude, around the holidays and throughout the year. From everyday activities to the special moments shared only with family, Todd inspires readers to remember the little things that children can give thanks for.

Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are? by Dr. Seuss 

This classic book provides the perfect antidote for readers of all ages who are feeling a bit down in the dumps (or ungrateful for what they have). Thanks to Dr. Seuss’s wonderful gift for rhymes, readers can realize just how lucky they truly are!

The Secret of Saying Thanks by Douglas Wood (Author), Greg Shed (Illustrator)

This is one of our favorite Children’s books about thankfulness. With simple language it shares its profound message with all in earshot—The secret to happiness is being grateful.

Thanks A Million by Nikki Grimes (Author), Cozbi A. Cabrera (Illustrator)

This gratitude book for kids can help children learn to say thank you to the people in their lives. The author uses poems about being thankful for everyday things that speak directly to the hearts of young children about the meaning of gratitude.

The Blue Daisy: A Lesson in Gratitude by Stacie Theis

Both parents and teachers can share this sweet rhyming book about gratitude with young children. Like the little blue daisy, each of us can take things for granted, like the warm sunshine and friendship. This gratitude book for children can be used to teach kids how to be grateful, and, how important it is to listen to family and friends.

Grateful: A Song of Giving Thanks by John Bucchino (Author), Anna-Liisa Hakkarainen (Illustrator)

This lovely children’s book about gratitude shares a joyous celebration of the beauty of the seasons, the wonders of nature, and the blessings of faith. A gift to be treasured by children and adults of all ages. This gratitude book for kids includes an accompanying CD recorded by Art Garfunkel.

Thankful by Eileen Spinelli (Author), Archie Preston (Illustrator)

This picture book on gratitude combines sweet rhymes and whimsical illustrations to convey the importance of being thankful for everyday blessings. Like the gardener thankful for every green sprout, readers are encouraged to be thankful for the many blessings they find in their lives.

I Am Thankful Each Day by P.K. Hallinan 

This children’s gratitude book reminds kids that the whole world provides a reason for a child to be thankful: from the glorious sunset to the beauty of the seashore, trees, and flowers.

There Is a Flower at the Tip of My Nose Smelling Me by Alice Walker (Author), Stefano Vitale (Illustrator)

This beautiful book celebrates all those things that make you stop and realize that there are plenty of things happening around us that we don’t notice. Through this book’s simple text we learn that there is beauty all around us to recognize, connect with, and feel grateful for.

Thankful Together by Holly Davis (Author), Valerie Sokolova (Illustrator)

Thankful Together is a sweet little book about thankfulness that can help children learn about gratitude, and how blessed they are. There are references to God in this gratitude book for children, but other words can easily be substituted.

The Blessings Jar: A Story About Being Thankful by Colleen Coble 

In this sweet story, bestselling author Colleen Coble celebrates the bond between grandparents and grandchildren and teaches little ones an important lesson about recognizing and being thankful for all of God’s blessings.

You can also gift children with their own blessings jar, that comes with paper hearts to record those things that children are most thankful for.

It Could Always Be Worse by Margot Zemach 

This gratitude book for kids shares a retelling of a classic Yiddish tale. In it, children that it can always be worse. Knowing this can help them feel thankful for the life that they have been given.

The Things I’m Grateful For…  by Arnie Lightning

Gratitude and appreciation can make life wonderful. This Children’s gratitude book can help guide children toward a life filled with gratitude and thankfulness.

This book about thankfulness for kids contains five short stories that are excellent for teaching kids about being thankful for the things that they have. Each story is beautifully crafted with morals and lessons about gratitude and includes fun activities!

Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts (Author), Noah Z. Jones (Illustrator)

Children love this gratitude book for kids because they can relate to it. We use it to teach children to be mindful and considerate about the economic situations of other families that may not be as fortunate. This sweet story also shares a very powerful message that teaches children about selflessly giving to others.

The Most Thankful Thing by Lisa McCourt (Author), Cyd Moore (Illustrator)

Sharing the gratitude that we have for our children is a great way to help them develop grateful thinking. In this sweet story, a little girl asks her mom what her “most thankful thing ever” is… And I’ll bet you can figure out what it is. If you have a child that needs to feel wanted and loved in order to feel grateful, this book can help.

 

Related: Books About Feelings and Emotions for Kids

How to Raise Grateful Kids: Gratitude Books for Parents

Use any of these gratitude books and resources for parents to help cultivate thankfulness and raise grateful kids.

Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World by Kristen Welch 

In Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World, Kristen shares the ups and downs in her own family’s journey. She discovered that it is best not to give their kids everything. Teaching them the difference between “want” and “need” is the first step in the right direction.

With many practical tips and anecdotes, the author shares how to say the ultimate yes as a family by bringing up grateful kids who serve others, and grow into hardworking, fulfilled, and successful adults.

Growing Grateful Kids by Susie Larson 

Amidst the wealth of “stuff” that many children have these days, discontentment and competition seem to be on the rise. The author of this gratitude book for parents reminds us that we don’t need to bend over backward to please our children. Instead, she teaches parents to understand how to teach perspective and gratitude to our children.

Raising Grateful Kids with Children’s Books About Thankfulness

During the holidays is when most families approach the concept of gratitude, but it is important to share these simple lessons to help children learn to count their blessings and express gratitude in their daily life.

Each of these gratitude books for kids provides simple lessons for nurturing gratitude in the home or classroom at thanksgiving, and for life. Reading them with your kids is an effective way to inspire thankfulness every day.

You may also like these gratitude activities and crafts for children and this collection of books that teach kids important life lessons.

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