5 Kids’ Books On Showing Thankfulness & Being Grateful
Fall is a season of abundance and harvest, punctuated by the Thanksgiving holiday, when families and friends gather to celebrate traditions and share a meal that commemorates the famous harvest festival of 1621. As we teach and describe Thanksgiving to young readers, most often, the adjectives thankful and grateful are used as beacons of importance. However, the lessons of thankfulness and gratitude extends beyond Thanksgiving and in addition to the many wonderful Thanksgiving themed books, there are a variety of other stories available that teach the essence of these lessons.
Perhaps one of the most important lessons these books can impart, for children and adults alike, is that there is value in being thankful and grateful as a response for things received and there is also value in being thankful and grateful in our hearts as a state of being. This concept is abstract and though it may take longer for young readers to grasp, the benefits of experiencing gratitude as something more than a reaction has the power to awaken minds. As we begin a season of reflection and celebration, we are pleased to share some of our favorite books on being thankful and grateful that will help young readers on their journey to understanding gratitude.
The Secret Of Saying Thanks
Publisher’s Synopsis: Perhaps you’d like to know a secret, one of the happiest ones of all. You will surely find it for yourself one day. You’ll discover it all on your own, maybe when you least expect it. If you’ve not yet discovered the secret of saying thanks, it’s waiting for you. The secret can be found in the sunrise that offers promises full for the day ahead, or in the gentle shade of a tree sheltering you from the hot rays of the sun, or on the rock that offers rest from a long walk.
In the inspirational text that made him a bestselling, internationally acclaimed author, Douglas Wood offers a spiritual homage to nature and the world. Greg Shed’s stunning portraits of the natural world tenderly portray all of the many ways in which we can say thanks for the wonders we sometimes take granted in life.
Cookies: Bite-Size Life Lessons
Publisher’s Synopsis: Everyone knows cookies taste good, but these cookies also have something good to say. Open this delectable book to any page and you will find out something about life. Cookies: Bite-Size Life Lessons is a new kind of dictionary, one that defines mysteries such as “fair” and “unfair” and what it really means to “cooperate.” The book is by turns clever, honest, inspirational, and whimsical. Go ahead, take a bite!
The Blue Daisy: A Lesson In Gratitude
Publisher’s Synopsis: The bright sun warms a field of daisies, but all the blue daisy does is complain. Can she learn to be grateful before she loses all her petals? Find out in this whimsical tale that teaches children to appreciate what they have.
Good People Everywhere
Publisher’s Synopsis: A colorful picture book that will warm the hearts of children and adults alike, each of its pages contain endearing examples and vibrant illustrations to inspire children to grow into grateful, caring, and giving people. It provides a wonderful way to calm children before sleep, ease their fears, and help them develop an appreciation for good work. Also included are activity pages to help children practice skills for creating gratitude, compassion, and beauty in daily life.
Bear Says Thanks
Publisher’s Synopsis: What better way for Bear to say thanks, than to have a big dinner with all his friends!
Bear has come up with the perfect way to say thanks—a nice big dinner! When Bear decides to throw a feast, his friends show up one by one with different platters of delicious food to share. There’s just one problem: Bear’s cupboards are bare! What is he to do?
Karma Wilson’s playful text and Jane Chapman’s charming illustrations bring to life this celebration of family and friendship. Young readers will delight in discovering the special gift Bear has to share.
