Children’s Books About Gratitude That Inspire Thankfulness

1. The 3 Minute Gratitude Journal for Kids: A Journal to Teach Children to Practice Gratitude and Mindfulness: by Modern Kid Press:

Gratitude journals help children see that there is so much in life to be grateful for and to reflect on. Writing about what they are thankful for can help children learn to show gratitude, develop a more positive attitude, and treat others with compassion.
The 3 Minute Gratitude Journal is a self-exploration tool designed to help kids focus on being thankful for what they have, both the big things in life and the simple joys. Make it a habit to recognize the small blessings in your life with a gratitude journal. You might also enjoy this printable gratitude coloring page and this list of gratitude activities, crafts, and games for children and adults.

2. 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, 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 special ceremonies. Its simple, timeless message bears witness to the Native American reverence for nature and a sense of unity with all living beings—an essential message to share with children.

3. Gratitude Soup by Olivia Rosewood:

Help your children learn to whine less and appreciate more with this beautiful 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. It may even inspire your children to make Gratitude Soup!

4. Llama Llama Gives Thanks by Anna Dewdney:

Here’s a fun Llama Llama book for kids at Thanksgiving. With short, simple rhyming text, the Llama Llama board books teach concepts like gratitude to babies and toddlers before they are ready for longer full-length stories. In Llama Llama Gives Thanks, Llama Llama and his family give thanks for everything they have. Even though Thanksgiving only comes once a year, giving thanks is always here for Llama’s family!

5. 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 shared can be felt by all who read it. It is fun to share The Thankful Book with the kids in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving and discuss the different ways to express gratitude.

7. 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.

8. An Awesome Book of Thanks by Dallas Clayton:

Teaching children about gratitude can be challenging. The Thankful book shows kids how to look around and be grateful for all the beautiful things in their lives. This timeless story is perfect for children of all ages and will become an instant classic at home or in the classroom. It is an excellent reminder of just how beautiful life can be.

9. The Thankful Book by Todd Parr:

Here’s a fantastic 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 all the little things for which children can give thanks.

10. 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 feel down in the dumps (or ungrateful for what they have). Thanks to Dr. Seuss’s extraordinary gift for rhymes, readers can realize just how lucky they indeed are!

11. The Secret of Saying Thanks by Douglas Wood (Author) and Greg Shed (Illustrator):

This gratitude book 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 gratitude.

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

This gratitude book for kids can help children express their thanks 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.

13. 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, we take things for granted, like the warm sunshine and friendship. This gratitude book for children can teach kids how to be grateful and how important it is to listen to family and friends.

14. 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.

15. 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 a gardener is grateful for every green sprout–readers will find gratitude for the many blessings in their lives.

16. I Am Thankful Each Day by P.K. Hallinan: 

This children’s gratitude book reminds kids that the whole world offers reasons to be thankful, from the glorious sunset to the beauty of the seashore, trees, and flowers.

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

This beautiful book celebrates the moments that make you stop and realize many things are happening around us that we don’t notice. Through this book’s simple text, we learn that beauty is all around us, ready to be recognized, connected with, and appreciated with gratitude at all times.

18. 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 you can easily substitute other words if that’s not something you’re interested in.

19. 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 with paper hearts to record those things that children are most grateful for. Or make a heart lantern to use as a gratitude jar!

20. It Could Always Be Worse by Margot Zemach 

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

21. 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 children’s book about thankfulness contains five short stories that are excellent for teaching children to be grateful for their possessions. Each story is beautifully crafted with morals and lessons about gratitude and includes fun activities!

22. 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 compelling message that teaches children about selflessly giving to others.

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

Sharing our gratitude 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. I’ll bet you can figure out what it is. So, if you have a child who needs to feel wanted, this book can help.

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

Children can learn to be more grateful when adults show them how to find gratitude. This book about Thankfulness is designed to inspire children of all ages to experience the incredible power of gratitude. By taking the time to think about all the fantastic things that happen to them each day, children can learn to appreciate what matters most to them.

1. Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World by Kristen Welch 

In Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World, Kristen shares the ups and downs of her 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.

2. Growing Grateful Kids by Susie Larson 

Amidst the wealth of “stuff” that many children have, 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 backward to please our children. Instead, she teaches parents how to instill perspective and gratitude in their children.