As we launch into the ‘grateful’ time of year, use these 15 books about gratitude for kids to instill an attitude of gratitude in your child. These books are perfect to have around the house or to add to your school-time collection!
Gratitude is a powerful force that can transform our lives and the lives of those around us. As parents and caregivers, it is important to instill this value in our children from a young age. One of the best ways to do this is through reading kid books that teach about gratitude.
Here are 10 must-read kid books, many of which have Christian themes or morals, that will help your child grow in gratitude.
This page may contain affiliate links. To view my full affiliate link disclosure, click here. There are Amazon affiliate links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I make a small commission from Amazon links in this post. Find our privacy policy, terms of service, and more information about user data by visiting the links above.
The Importance of Instilling Gratitude in Children
Gratitude is an important lesson and I don’t know about you, but I want to instill that value in our children from a young age. My mindset on gratitude and my children changed after reading this book by Kristen Welch. It really is a ‘must-read’ for all parents. Teaching kids about gratitude not only helps them appreciate the good things in life but also helps them develop a positive and optimistic attitude.
In a world filled with materialism and entitlement (as you will be reminded of if you read the book I recommended above!), teaching gratitude can be challenging. I want my children to show the Fruits of the Spirit and naturally show compassion and empathy. These only will come from Jesus, so we cannot teach gratitude without also teaching them the gospel.
Children’s books are a perfect way to introduce the concept of gratitude to young kids. Whether it’s a board book about saying “thank you” or a beautifully illustrated story about appreciating the world around us, there are countless options to choose from. By reading books that focus on gratitude, we can teach our children the importance of expressing thankfulness in all aspects of life. From their favorite books like the Berenstain Bears series to new and exciting stories that capture their imagination, these books will aid us in helping our children think critically about gratitude.
Storytelling: A Powerful Method to Teach Kids about Gratitude
Storytelling is a powerful method for teaching kids any lesson, but gratitude is an important one. The imaginations of children are limitless, and through the magic of storytelling, we can tap into their creativity and curiosity to instill important values like thankfulness. When we read stories about gratitude to our children, we take them on a journey of discovery and understanding.
Here are a few more storytelling books for kids that we love around our home!
The Treasure – Marty Machowski
20 of the Best Christian Books for Kids
My Review of “Coop Messes Up” by New Growth Press
My First ABC Book of Bible Verses – Big Truths for Little Minds
The beauty of storytelling is that it can be done anytime, anywhere. Whether it’s before bedtime, on a long car ride, or during the Thanksgiving season, stories can create lasting memories and leave a lasting impact on children. The power of a beautifully written and illustrated story is immeasurable.
So, as parents and caregivers, let’s embrace the power of storytelling and use it as a tool to teach our children about gratitude. By exposing them to these stories, we can help them develop a lifelong habit of expressing gratitude and appreciation.
10 Books about Gratitude for Kids
When it comes to teaching kids about gratitude, there are so many wonderful children’s books out there that can help reinforce this important value. Here are 10 must-read kid books that focus on expressing thankfulness and appreciation.
Looking for books that are specific to Thanksgiving? Check out these Thanksgiving children’s books. Both of these lists are a great way to instill values of gratitude and thanksgiving in your family throughout the ‘thankful time of year’. Need more books for the Christmas holiday season, check out that list here. These book lists also make a special gift for the child in your life!
If you are looking for an easy place to purchase these books, I’ve included an Amazon Storefront list.
“Gus Loses His Grip” by David Powlison
This adorable book from the series Good News for Little Hearts (complete review) is a fun and engaging book that follows the main character (a raccoon) as he wants something ‘too much’ and decides to take something that does not belong to him. Along the way, he learns about being grateful for what you have and confessing your sins.
“Why Do We Say Thank You?” by Champ Thorton
This book follows a young boy as he complains about everything. With colorful illustrations and a very plausible storyline, this story will take your child on a real-life journey and teach them the importance of gratitude. If you are looking for a book that explains the meaning of gratitude in a Biblical manner, this is it!
“The Blessings Jar: A Story About Being Thankful” by Colleen Coble
This book follows a young girl as she starts a blessings jar to remind herself of all the good things in her life. It’s a wonderful way to encourage kids to reflect on their blessings and cultivate a grateful mindset.
“Ronnie Wilson’s Gift” by Francis Chan
Be warned, this is a tear-jerker! When Ronnie learns of the gift that Jesus Christ gave him, he wants to give something back. He eventually learns that what is done for the kingdom of God, is done for Jesus himself.
You won’t regret adding this heartwarming story to your library!
“Thank you, God, for Blessing Me” by Max Lucado
From the popular author, Max Lucado, and beloved character, Hermie, comes a delightful tale for young children about learning how much God has blessed them with simple things!
“Let’s Make a Joyful Noise” by Karma Wilson
This book is based on Psalms 101. It follows the journey of a young boy as he watches all of creation praise God!
“With Jesus I am Thankful” by G.L. Charles
This beautiful board book helps children remember that on good days and bad days, there is still reason to be grateful to God.
“The Gratitude Jar” by Katrina Liu
Mina was feeling sorry for herself, until she learned about what a gratitude jar was and just how many reasons she had to be grateful!
“A Very Thankful Prayer” by Bonnie Rickner Jensen
There is so much to be grateful for! Join your little one and enjoy adorable animal friends showing gratitude to God for everyday blessings. Learn to thank God for the small things and big things. This is a sweet fall-themed board book.
“The Gratitude Tree” by Sarah Deleon
This is a beautiful book for ages 3-5 about learning an attitude of gratitude. Join Emma as she earns the value of appreciation and gratitude.
Young readers and adults alike will love this book with colorful illustrations and an applicable message.
“Give Thanks to the Lord” by Sarah Deleon
This book references Psalms 92 as a young boy watches his family prepare for the Thanksgiving meal. It’s a wonderful tale for the Thanksgiving season while reminding your child of gratitude.
“How to Make an Apple Pie” by Marjorie Priceman
Although this book does not specifically mention gratitude, I think it is an excellent and practical way to show children just how much they have to be grateful for. Something as simple as an apple pie/apple cake can take a lot of effort to make. We can be grateful for something as simple as grocery stores because they allow us to make something otherwise impossible.
This little girl will follow an amazing adventure to create an apple pie. From a market street to a quaint village, she travels the world, just to create her pie.
“Bear Says Thanks” by Karma Wilson
In this beloved book, Bear wants to show his friends how grateful he is for their company. It’s a beautiful story about friendship, kindness, and the power of saying thanks.
This book is specifically great for younger children as it has fantastic illustrations and simple sentence structure.
“Thankful” by Eileen Spinelli
This heartwarming thankful book follows a young girl as she goes through her day, finding reasons to be thankful for the simple things in life. It reminds us all to appreciate the beauty in everyday moments.
“The Berenstain Bears Count Their Blessings” by Stan and Jan Berenstain
Our last stop with these books is the beloved Berenstain Bears! The parents teach their children about gratitude in this classic book. Through the adventures of Brother and Sister Bear, kids learn to appreciate the little things and count their blessings.
Engaging Faith-Based Activities Drawn from These Books
As parents and caregivers, we have the privilege of not only teaching our children about gratitude but also nurturing their faith. Incorporating faith-based activities into our children’s learning experiences can help deepen their understanding of gratitude and strengthen their relationship with God. Here are a few engaging activities that you can draw from the favorite children’s books mentioned earlier.
These are great ways to instill thankful hearts in your family values!
1. Gratitude Journal: Encourage your child to keep a gratitude journal inspired by the books they have read. Have them write or draw three things they are thankful for each day. This activity will help them reflect on the blessings in their lives and develop a habit of gratitude.
More resources for gratitude journals-
Gratitude Journal for Kids at Mindy Jones Blog
Gratitude Activities from Lessons from Home
2. Thank You Prayers: Before bedtime, have a special time where you and your child say prayers of thanksgiving together. Encourage them to thank God for specific things they are grateful for that day. This will help them learn to express their gratitude to God and develop a personal prayer life.
3. Random Acts of Kindness: Help your child understand that gratitude is not just about saying “thank you” but also about showing kindness to others. Encourage them to perform random acts of kindness, such as helping a neighbor or sending a card to someone in need.
4. Do your own version of “The Gratitude Jar”. We love starting this type of activity in November and allowing it to continue until Thanksgiving. It’s a lovely way to express gratitude as a family. Another fun way to do this is by doing a Thankful Turkey.
My friend LeeAnn has a great printable for doing kindness acts at Christmastime!
Remember, the goal is not just to teach them about gratitude but to help them develop a grateful and faith-filled life, rooted in Jesus Christ!
Want more digital items for Kids? I welcome you to check out our Bible Printables for Kids vault.
I have a passion for encouraging and equipping moms with resources for creating a Biblical home. This vault is filled with printables for teaching your child Bible stories, scripture verses, holiday printables, and more. The activities here are designed for you to do with your child. They are great for family devotional times, homeschooling, Sunday School, or just a fun activity for a rainy day!
⬇️Learn more about the vault ⬇️ To get access to the full vault, you will need to input your email address so I can send you the link!
Strengthen Your Child’s Faith
As a Christian parent, you may be searching for ways to teach your children about faith and instill in them a strong relationship with God. The good news is that the favorite children’s books mentioned in this blog post can also help strengthen your child’s faith. These books are not just about expressing gratitude; they also contain underlying messages of faith, love, and kindness.
When you read these books with your child, take the opportunity to discuss the values and lessons they convey. Talk about how gratitude is a form of prayer and a way to show our love and appreciation for God’s blessings. Connect the stories to Bible verses that teach about thankfulness and encourage your child to memorize and recite those verses when appropriate.
Additionally, the faith-based activities suggested in this blog post can be used in conjunction with the favorite children’s books to deepen your child’s understanding of gratitude from a faith perspective. For example, when keeping a gratitude journal, your child can include prayers of thanksgiving to God for each blessing they write down. This reinforces the idea that gratitude is an act of worship.
By using these books and engaging in faith-based activities, you can help strengthen your child’s faith while teaching them about gratitude. It’s a beautiful way to connect their love for reading with their love for God. So, grab their favorite children’s book, open it up, and let the journey to a grateful and faith-filled life begin!
Don’t forget to pin for later!
