All moms know how important it is to teach our little ones about being thankful. What better way than with books about gratitude for kids? We all want our kids not to take wonderful things in their lives for granted. But teaching gratitude isn’t always the easiest of tasks, especially when your kids seem to have everything they could ever want or need. That’s why we’ve put together a list of 20 books about gratitude for kids. These titles are great for helping little ones understand and appreciate everything they have. Happy reading!
Books About Gratitude for Kids
1. Llama Llama Gives Thanks
Who isn’t a fan of Llama Llama? This is the story of Llama Llama on Thanksgiving Day, witnessing all the preparations and festivities taking place. The best part of the day comes when he sits with his family and gives thanks for all the wonderful things in his life. This sweet and heartwarming story will surely bring a smile to your child’s face and remind him of how lucky he is.
2. The Berenstain Bears Count Their Blessings
The Berenstain Bears books are perfect for teaching children valuable life lessons; this one is no exception. After a storm destroys their home, the bears are forced to move into a small cave. At first, all they do is complain, but as they take stock of their blessings, they realize they are still fortunate in many ways. The experience teaches them the importance of being thankful for what they have, even when times are tough. This valuable lesson is one that all children can learn.
3. A Thank You Walk
A Thank You Walk is a simple and sweet story of gratitude that is perfect for anyone who enjoys being outside. A girl and her mom learn to notice and show appreciation for the little things in nature, like the buzz of a flying insect, a bird chirping, and a dog’s tail wagging. This book teaches your little one to express gratitude for the simple things in life.
4. I Am Thankful
This adorable book uses rhyming to teach kids about the importance of gratitude. The book follows three families on Thanksgiving Day, showcasing the various traditions and ways they give back. This is the perfect book for kids to learn about others who may have different customs and celebrate diversity this holiday season.
5. Grow Grateful
This cute book about gratitude follows Kilo on her class camping trip. It teaches about having a positive outlook and using the power of mindfulness to discover how you can grow grateful and appreciate the people and things around you.
6. Gratitude is My Superpower
In this book, a young girl named Betsy learns about the importance of gratitude and how being thankful can help when you feel down or unhappy. It includes helpful exercises at the end to help your kids discover what they are grateful for.
7. Those Shoes
Those Shoes is a heartwarming book that teaches an important lesson about wants versus needs that every child should learn. All Jeremy wants is a pair of “those shoes.” The ones everyone at school has. However, when his old shoes fall apart, he learns the shoes he wants might not be as important as the many wonderful things he already has in his life.
8. The Thankful Book
The Thankful Book is the perfect way to show kids how to express joy and gratitude for the little things in their lives. From music to their feet and their shadow, this easy-to-follow and colorful book will have your kids expressing gratitude for the simple things in their lives.
9. Taylor The Thankful Turkey
Taylor The Thankful Turkey teaches your kids that gratitude is the best attitude in this fun children’s book. While it is great to be thankful for what we have, Taylor knows it’s even more important to express gratitude and show appreciation to those we love.
10. Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are
This classic Seuss book is perfect for kids of all ages. It teaches the importance of being satisfied and thankful for what you have. Even when they are down in the dumps, readers will realize just how lucky they are.
11. You Get What You Get
“You get what you get, and you don’t throw a fit.” In this cute and quirky book, Marvin learns the valuable lesson of dealing with disappointment when things don’t seem to go his way. This is a lesson that all kids can benefit from.
12. Zen Pig: The Art of Gratitude
Zen Pig will teach your little ones to show compassion and find joy in their lives. In this book, kids will learn to act out of love versus anger and to respect themselves and others.
13. Apple Cake: A Gratitude
As a child gathers the ingredients to make a Thanksgiving Day apple cake, she shows gratitude for the gifts that nature provides.
14. My Attitude of Gratitude
Your kids will be begging to make their gratitude jar after reading My Attitude of Gratitude. When her grandson doesn’t get everything he wants, grandma teaches him an important lesson about being thankful for what he has. Each night before going to bed, he thinks about the good things that have happened that day and adds them to his gratitude jar.
15. The Grumbles: A Story About Gratitude
This silly and sweet story will help your kids turn their grumbles into gratitude. When the Grumble family can’t stop complaining about things going wrong in their lives, Grandma Gratitude visits them to remind them to count their blessings.
16. Thank You Thank You Thank You
In this sweet story about being thankful, your kids will learn how to fill their buckets with joy and gratitude. It’s not about how much we have; it’s about being grateful for what we have. Your kids will learn to say thank you to the things in their life, like hugs, trees, and imagination, that bring them happiness.
17. The Things I’m Grateful For
This book includes five short stories to teach your kids the importance of being grateful for what they have. An activity accompanies each story to help your kids practice the lessons they have learned.
18. Grunt the Grizzly Learns to Be Grateful
“Grumpies, grumpies, go away. I would rather smile today. When I’m grateful, I can see all the good surrounding me.” Grunt the Grizzly teaches your kids there is much to be thankful for, even when things don’t go their way.
19. I’m Thankful Each Day
In I’m Thankful Each Day, children learn how to find joy in the simple gifts of life. Each day, kids can show gratitude for things in their life, no matter how big or how small.
20. Thank You for the Little Things
“Whenever I am feeling sad
or life feels hard or wrong or bad,
I focus for a little while
on little things that make me smile . . .”
This uplifting story will help your kids think about the things they are thankful for. From the swings at the playground to melting ice cream, there is something to be grateful for, even on days that may not be the best.
Teaching gratitude to kids is so important, and it’s a skill that will serve them well for the rest of their lives. It helps children develop a positive outlook on life, appreciate what they have, and be more compassionate toward others. It’s the perfect time of year to start teaching your kids about being thankful, and we hope these books about gratitude for kids can help get the conversation started. What are some of your favorite ways to teach your kids about gratitude?
