Explore these adorable children’s books about gratitude that show kids what it means to be thankful.
Teaching children gratitude can shape their outlook on life, fostering appreciation and empathy from an early age. These inspiring children’s books introduce young readers to the joy of grateful hearts, helping them see the beauty in everyday moments and the kindness around them.
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Books About Gratitude
This book list is all about helping kids explore the power of gratitude and thankfulness! Filled with heartwarming stories and relatable characters, each book introduces young readers to the joy of appreciating the world around them—from family and friends to simple everyday moments.
These stories encourage children to recognize the kindness in others, reflect on what makes them feel thankful, and build a mindset of positivity and empathy.
Here are the best books focused on gratitude for your storytime:
Gratitude Books for Kids
Perfect for family reading time, these books offer meaningful lessons in gratitude that will stay with kids for years to come. Which gratitude book will you read first?
I Am Thankful: A Thanksgiving Book for Kids by Sheri Wall (Listen to Read Aloud)
Gratitude is My Superpower by Alicia Ortego (Listen to Read Aloud)
I’m So Glad You Were Born: Celebrating Who You Are by Ainsley Earhardt (Listen to Read aloud)
My Heart Fills With Happiness by Monique Gray Smith (Listen to Read Aloud)
A World of Gratitude by Claire Saunders
Finding Grateful by Dianne White
The Gratitude Jar by Katrina Liu
When Grandma Gives You a Lemon Tree by Jamie L.B. Deenihan
The Thank You Letter by Jane Cabrera
The Thank You Book by Mary Lyn Ray
The World Needs Who You Were Made to Be by Joanna Gaines
Thank You for the Little Things by Caryl Hart
Thankful by Elaine Vickers
Apple Cake: A Gratitude by Dawn Casey
Thanks a Million by Nikki Grimes
A Sense of Gratitude: Exploring the Five Senses by Halimah Bashir
The Giving Snowman by Julia Zheng
The Giving Snowman by Julia Zheng
The Fig Tree: A Lesson in Gratitude by Heather Lonczak
Gracias – Thanks by Pat Mora
Thankful by Eileen Spinelli
A Very Thankful Prayer: A Fall Poem of Blessings and Gratitude by Bonnie Rickner Jensen
Bear Says Thanks by Karma Wilson (Watch Read Aloud)
The Thankful Book by Todd Parr (Listen to Read Aloud)
Llama Llama Gives Thanks by Anna Dewdney (Listen to Read Aloud)
Thank You, Omu! by Oge Mora
Otis Gives Thanks by Loren Long
Curious George Says Thank You by H. A. Rey
Have You Filled a Bucket Today? by Carol McCloud
ABC Thankful Me by Kyaw Lin
Thanks A Lot (Raffi Songs to Read) by Raffi
The World Needs the Wonder You See by Joanna Gaines (Jan 2025)
Being Thankful by Mercer Mayer
Thank You, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco
You may also find this heartwarming collection of Kindness books helpful too!
Ways to Teach Kids About Gratitude
Here are a few simple ways to help kids learn about gratitude:
Model Gratitude: Let children hear you say “thank you” and express appreciation regularly. They’ll learn from your example and see how gratitude can be part of everyday life.
Gratitude Journal or Jar: Encourage kids to write down or draw something they’re thankful for each day and put it in a jar or gratitude journal. It’s a fun, visual way to reflect on all the good things in their lives.
Thank You Notes: Show kids how to write or create thank-you cards for friends, family, or teachers. This small act can help them think about the kindnesses they’ve received.
Bedtime Reflections: Make it a habit to ask each other about a highlight of the day before bed. Sharing something positive reinforces a thankful mindset.
Acts of Kindness: Help children connect gratitude with giving by doing small acts of kindness, like helping a neighbor or donating toys. They’ll experience how good it feels to show appreciation through actions.
Gratitude Walks: Take a stroll on a nature walk and point out things you’re grateful for in nature—like sunshine, trees, or animals. Noticing the world around them builds an appreciation for little things.
These small practices can make gratitude a fun, natural part of their lives!
What’s the difference between Gratitude and Thankfulness?
Have you ever wondered about the difference between gratitude and thankfulness? They’re closely related but have slightly different meanings.
- Thankfulness is often more immediate and situational. It’s an expression of thanks in response to something specific, like someone doing a kind deed or giving you a gift. It’s a reaction to a particular action or circumstance that makes you feel appreciative in that moment.
- Gratitude, on the other hand, is more of an ongoing, deep-seated attitude or mindset. It encompasses a broader sense of appreciation that goes beyond individual events, often tied to an overall feeling of thankfulness for life, relationships, health, and experiences. Gratitude can also be cultivated through regular reflection, whereas thankfulness often arises naturally in response to a specific event.
In short, think of thankfulness as a momentary response and gratitude as a sustained state of appreciation that can shape how we view our lives and interact with others.
Try these thankful project ideas to continue focusing on gratitude with your child.
Gratitude Activities for Kids
Take the 30 Day Gratitude Challenge!
Work on household chores and create a new way of Teaching Gratitude at Home with Your Child.
Decorate the house with this easy DIY Thankful Banner Idea for Kids.
Download this Random Acts of Kindness Calendar for kids and spread kindness and gratitude.
Create a Magnetic Thankful Tree to display in your home for Thanksgiving.
Here is a set of Kindness Elves Free Printables to inspire your family for a celebration of kindness and giving to others.
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