14 Children’s Books About Gratitude

We are so grateful for our local library! We borrow dozens of books each week. Because we are approaching the Thanksgiving holiday, this week we picked up numerous books about gratitude.

Gratitude can be a difficult concept for young kids to grasp. Books are a great way to introduce the concept because they explain it in a variety of ways. Additionally, they show different approaches to expressing gratitude and demonstrate that we can be grateful for all sorts of things.

Here are 14 wonderful children’s books about gratitude. Please note that some reference the Thanksgiving holiday and others don’t. Likewise, some contain faith-based content and others don’t. I’ve noted these details beneath each title. 

Thankful by Eileen Spinelli

Age range: 4-8 years

References Thanksgiving: No

Faith-based content: No, but does contain a subtle reference to God

Whimsical illustrations and simple rhyming text share the importance of being grateful for simple, everyday things.

Thanks for Thanksgiving by Julie Markes

Age range: 4-8 years

References Thanksgiving: Yes

Faith-based content: No

Stunning illustrations accompany text that shares about the numerous people and things—both big and small—for which we can be grateful.

Give Thanks to the Lord by Karma Wilson

Age range: 4-8 years

References Thanksgiving: Yes

Faith-based content: Yes

Using words from Psalm 92, the author celebrates the delights of Thanksgiving as seen through the eyes of a young child.

We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga by Traci Sorell

Age range: 3-7 years

References Thanksgiving: No 

Faith-based content: No

Beautiful illustrations accompany text that takes the reader on a journey with the members of a Cherokee family as they give thanks through every season of the year. 

If Animals Gave Thanks by Ann Whitford Paul

Age range: 2-6 years

References Thanksgiving: No, but does mention fall

Faith-based content: No

In this book, which is full of fun onomatopoeias, animals share the things for which they are grateful: berries, sunny days, honey, fish, etc.

Thank You, God by J. Bradley Wigger

Age range: 3-8 years

References Thanksgiving: No

Faith-based content: Yes

The author uses simple, lyrical text to remind the reader to be thankful to God for everyday things like families, homes, and food.

A Very Thankful Prayer by Bonnie Rickner Jensen

Age range: Infant-4 years

References Thanksgiving: No, but does mention fall

Faith-based content: Yes

Adorable illustrations accompany short prayers of thanks offered by various animals (mice, rabbits, squirrels, etc.). The animals are grateful for things such as warm coats, the changing leaves, and pumpkins.

Otis Gives Thanks by Loren Long

Age range: 1-3 years

References Thanksgiving: No

Faith-based content: No

In this book, Otis (a tractor) expresses gratitude for the many wonderful things in his life on the farm (friends, games to play, the rain, etc.).

Tiny Blessings: For Giving Thanks by Amy Parker

Age range: 2-5 years

References Thanksgiving: No

Faith-based content: Yes

This board book contains bright illustrations and simple text that express gratitude for the little blessings in young kids’ lives (blue skies, twinkling stars, colorful flowers, etc.).

The Berenstain Bears Thanksgiving Blessings by Mike Berenstain

Age range: 4-8 years

References Thanksgiving: Yes

Faith-based content: Yes

En route to visit their grandparents for Thanksgiving, Brother and Sister learn about various things (including faith and family) for which they can be grateful.

Grateful: A Song of Giving Thanks by John Bucchino

Age range: 4-8 years

References Thanksgiving: No

Faith-based content: No, but does reference faith in general terms and mentions “a hand you cannot see”

A CD that contains a song sung by Art Garfunkel accompanies this book. The words of the book and song celebrate everyday things such as the seasons, nature, and faith.

I’m Thankful Each Day by P. K. Hallinan

Age range: 2-4 years

References Thanksgiving: No

Faith-based content: Yes

In this book, a young child lists the various things for which he is grateful: family, rain, flowers, kindness, etc.

Apple Cake: A Gratitude by Dawn Casey

Age range: 3-5 years

References Thanksgiving: No

Faith-based content: No

Using rhyming text, the author follows a child as she expresses gratitude for the gifts nature provides: apples, milk, eggs, etc. She uses these gifts to bake an apple cake! 

Thankful by Elaine Vickers

Age range: 4-8 years

References Thanksgiving: No  

Faith-based content: No

In this book, unique diorama illustrations accompany the story of a young girl who creates a paper chain by documenting on slips of paper the things—both simple and complex—for which she is grateful.

Final thoughts

I hope you get to enjoy some of these fantastic books during this gratitude-filled season!

Are you familiar with any children’s books that explain the concept of gratitude and/or encourage kids to be grateful? If so, please share about these in the comments below!