Picture Books about Giving Thanks
I’ve been told so many times how great it is to “practice gratitude.” Start your day by staying what you are grateful for, keep a gratitude journal, start an email or text chain to express gratitude to your friends. The data is strong on this one, folks: gratitude can make us happier. And it’s never to early to start. In time for Thanksgiving, here are some picture books to introduce to kids the idea of giving thanks.
Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts and Noah Z. Jones (2007)
Everybody at school has the same cool new shoes and Jeremy wants his own pair. But Grandma doesn’t have enough money to buy the popular shoes and new winter boots. Boelts captures that feeling of wanting to fit in, and Jones’s illustrations show Jeremy’s world with compassion and style. The book ends with Jeremy able to appreciate the winter boots and be generous to a classmate. A subtle message of gratitude for older kids who might not be open to a direct plug.
Thank You and Good Night by Patrick McDonnell (2015)
An exuberant pajama party has three stuffed animals having the time of their lives. When they are finally sleepy and tucked into bed, they say what they are thankful for, listing out all the fun of the party and the special time together. McDonnell’s illustrations give the animals personality and the rythym of the text makes it a great read aloud.
Grow Grateful by Sage Foster-Lesser, Jon Lesser, and Christopher Lyles (2018)
Written by psychologists, this non-fiction picture book includes suggestions for parents to teach kids about gratitude. In the story, vividly illustrated by Lyles, Kiko feels both excited and nervous about a camping trip with her class. Before going to sleep in their tents, the teacher asks the kids what they are grateful for, and we hear what Kiko and friends appreciate about their special day.
We Are Grateful — Otsalingeliga by Traci Sorell and Frané Lessac (2018)
Sorell, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, takes us through the seasons of a year to express all the ways, big and small, we can feel gratitude. The reader also learns Cherokee words, history, and traditions. The folk-art inspired illustrations by Lessac transport us to beautiful settings.
The Thank You Letter by Jane Cabrera (2019)
As someone who still pens hand-written thank-you notes, I loved this story of the power of a grateful letter. Grace writes thank-you letters for the presents she receives for her birthday. Then she keeps going, writing thank yous to the cat, dog, her teacher, and the sky. Grace enjoys writing the letters, but what she gets in return is even more wonderful: an outpouring of love.
Turkey Trouble by Wendi Silvano and Lee Harper (2009)
Turkey Trouble is more of a Thanksgiving book than a book about giving thanks, unless you, like me, want to give thanks for vegetarian options at the holiday meal. Silvano and Harper’s funny book centers on Turkey, who doesn’t want to get eaten this holiday. His disguises may not be very successful, but in the end, everyone enjoys his plan for an alternate main dish at Thanksgiving.