Gratitude Books for Children That Inspire Thankfulness

Reading children’s books about gratitude is an easy way to cultivate and encourage children to be thankful. Each of these gratitude books for kids books provides simple lessons for nurturing gratitude in the home. Children’s books about thankfulness provide a subtle way to approach the concept of gratitude year round. Reading gratitude books with your children is an effective way to teach inspire thankfulness every day.

Grateful thinking is 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 gratitude, but it is important to share these simple lessons throughout the year. Parent resources for raising grateful kids can be found at the bottom of this article.

Related: Year Round Gratitude Activities for Kids

Related: 40 Thanksgiving Gratitude Activities and Crafts

25 Gratitude Books for Kids that Inspire Thankfulness

We have listed several thankful books for children below. Read them with your children to cultivate an attitude of gratitude in your home.

We recommend that you search for these children’s books about gratitude at your local library or used bookstore. If you can not find them we have provided Amazon affiliate links below. If you click to purchase, we may earn a small commission at no cost to you.

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

1. My First Gratitude Journal by Creative Kids 

My First Gratitude Journal inspires children ages 3 to 8 to appreciate people in their lives and be thankful for the many blessings in life. The journal is designed to help children see what they have to be grateful for and take note of it. Showing gratitude helps kids build stronger values, treat other people with more compassion and love and have a more positive, thankful attitude. The journal contains a mix of different types of pages for both drawing and writing.

2. Today I am Grateful: Adventures in Gratitude by Lorraine Miller 

“Today I Am Grateful was created to inspire children of all ages to experience the incredible power of gratitude. By taking the time to think about all the wonderful things that happen each day, children gain an appreciation for what matters most to them in their own lives. Following the lead of Milo, young readers can take part in this mindful practice using the activities provided at the end of the story.”

3. Gratitude is a Funny Thing by Kathy Walsh (Author), Kim Winton (Illustrator)

Gratitude is a Funny Thing” encourages children to live each day with gratitude and how to learn to listen to their intuition. By being appreciative of everything around them, they will find that they see the world as a more beautiful place, which will in turn, make their own lives much happier.

4. Let’s Be Thankful by P.K. Hallinan

“With colorful illustrations and charming verse, this book acknowledges people, animals, and activities that bring joy to a child’s life. Parents can read this book with their children to reinforce the concept of gratitude.”

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

In the inspirational text that made him a bestselling, internationally acclaimed author, Douglas Wood offers a spiritual homage to nature and the world. Greg Shed’s stunning portraits of the natural world tenderly portray all of the many ways in which we can say thanks for the wonders we sometimes take granted in life.

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

This thoughtful book contains sixteen poems about being thankful for everyday things. The author uses a variety of poetic forms that speak directly to the hearts of young children.

7. An Awesome Book of Thanks by Dallas Clayton 

Crafted for children ages 0-1000, 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.

8. The Blue Daisy: A Lesson in Gratitude by Stacie Theis

The bright sun warms a field of daisies, but all the blue daisy does is complain. Can she learn to be grateful before she loses all her petals? Find out in this whimsical tale that teaches children to appreciate what they have.

9. Gratitude Soup by Olivia Rosewood

“Perfect for teaching your children about gratitude with fun and play, this rhyming, colorful 8×10 picture book combines collage and watercolors as Violet the Purple Fairy tells her own story of cooking with gratitude. Your children might even be inspired to make their own Gratitude Soup!”

10. Gratitude More Than Thanks! by Chaim Gold (Author), Ludendorff A. (Illustrator), Lou G. (Editor)

This story is about two girls, one who has plenty of worldly goods, and one that does not. The story tells how the girl with the riches learns to be content and to realize how others may not have what she does. Through this simple story, we learn that the have’s and the have not’s can learn and teach each other how to be grateful for what they have regardless of circumstance.

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

In this exquisite children’s book about gratitude Anna-Lisa Hakkarainen’s radiant paintings bring John Bucchino’s words to life. 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.

12. I am Thankful For… A Book About Being Grateful! by Uncle Amon

Are you looking for a children’s book about thankfulness that is highly entertaining, great for early readers, and includes morals and lessons about caring, sharing, and love? This children’s book about gratitude sharing and caring has it all!

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

Thankful, by bestselling and award-winning children’s author Eileen Spinelli combines charming 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.

14. The Thankful Book by Todd Parr

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. The perfect book to treasure and share, around the holidays and throughout the year.

15. I Am Thankful Each Day by P.K. Hallinan 

This gratitude book for children 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.

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

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

A beautiful book that makes you stop and realize that there are so many things happening around us that we typically 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.

18. 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.

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

Thankful Together is the engaging story of a faithful squirrel family that expresses praise and thankfulness to God for His loving care. The squirrel mother and her child give thanks for the daily happenings of life with prayers expressing love and gratitude to God.

20. It Could Always Be Worse by Margot Zemach 

In this retelling of a classic Yiddish tale, a poor man tells the local Rabbi that his house is too crowded. The Rabbi instructs the man to add more and more animals to his hut until he finally tells him to release them all. The man then finds himself living a state of complete and utter peacefulness.

21. 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 trademark rhymes and signature illustrations, readers will, without a doubt, realize just how lucky they truly are.

22. The Things I’m Grateful For…  by Arnie Lightning

Gratitude and appreciation can make life wonderful. These five short stories are excellent for teaching your little one about being thankful for the things they have. Each story is beautifully crafted with morals and lessons about gratitude and includes just for fun activities!

23. Being Thankful by Mercer Mayer

In Being Thankful, Little Critter isn’t getting anything he wants. Gator gets cool brand-new sneakers, while Little Critter is stuck with his boring blue ones. Tiger’s dad has a boat, but not Little Critter’s dad. Even at the ice cream shop, Little Critter can’t enjoy his chocolate ice cream cone because he would rather have a huge ice cream sundae instead. On a trip to the farm, Grandma shows Little Critter why thankfulness is so important and helps make any situation seem so much happier.

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

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 shoes 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.

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

When a little girl asks her mom what her “most thankful thing ever” is, Mom turns the question into a fun trip down memory lane. Turning the pages of Mom’s photo album, they discover many wonderful moments in Mom’s life. But one event in Mom’s whole life is the very best ever — the birth of her precious little girl.

Gratitude Books and Resources for Parents to Raise Grateful Kids

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

1. Nina and the Magic Wand: How to Explain Gratitude to Your Child by Lorena Mos (Author), Raluca Popoviciu (Author, Illustrator)

Gratitude is a wonderful attitude to pass on to your kids. This gratitude book for children is full of little things that your kids can relate to. As mothers, we know the challenges of everyday life: job, children, marriage, relationships and, house chores. This book provides encouragement to help you and your child to bond over things that really matter.

2. 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, she 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.

3. 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 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 Gratitude Books for Children

During the holidays is when most families approach the concept of gratitude, but it is important to share these simple lessons throughout the year.

Each of these gratitude books for kids provides simple lessons for nurturing gratitude in the home year round. 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.

Learn more about Rhythms of Play HERE!

If you liked these children’s books about gratitude, You may also like:

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