10 Read Alouds: Gratitude
Here are 10 of the books featured in the Gratitude Book Guide, along with thoughts on how they may be used to explore the character strength of gratitude and a video read aloud.
Layla’s Happiness is upbeat, and beautifully illustrated. Full of love for the natural world and those around her, Layla lists the things that bring her happiness and shows that gratitude and happiness go hand in hand. The book also inspires kids to think about their own personal happinesses, the lovely things that make life our own. This is a fun one to pair with an activity, like making your own handmade happiness books, ready to read as gratitude primers. A companion strength of Layla’s could also be zest in that she shows such vitality and enthusiasm toward life.
Sylvester and the Magic Pebble is a wild well-written ride. My favorite Steig book. Sylvester discovers a magic pebble that makes wishes come true. I won’t spoil it if you haven’t read it. My kids (aged 5 and 7 at the time) were hooked, and we had a good conversation about the things we’re really grateful for and how sometimes they are also the things we take most for granted. It’s a pleasure to read aloud. Also apt to explore alongside the character strength of perspective and prudence.
The Thank You Letter is such a sweet, feel-good story. Following her birthday party, a little girl sits down to write her thank you cards and does so with infectious delight and real savoring. It turns a chore into something fun and inspiring. We read this one around holidays and birthdays, and any time gift-giving is involved.
The Thankful Book by Todd Parr is cheery, colorful and funny. My kids pick it up every now and then to flip through the silly pictures. It’s positive and light, and, like all Parr’s books, is written for the kids, not the grown-ups. With all the zany pictures and points of gratitude, this is a good one to read to a group of kids before inviting them to make their own thankful books.
Our Table introduces us to Violet, a little girl with fond memories of family gathered around the table together. Now everyone is too busy—dad watching TV, mom on the phone, her brother gaming alone in his room. This is a sad-but-true take on disconnection at home. It gets kids thinking about how they can use their strengths of gratitude to motivate others around them and bring connection.
What Is Given from the Heart is a serious story of compassionate giving. A little boy’s father dies and his family loses everything. He still finds a way to help someone else in need, learning that what is from the heart reaches the heart. This one brings depth and thankfulness to what’s meaningful in life. It can also open up conversation on the effects of gratitude and how it often pairs with love, kindness or other strengths.
Thank You, Mr. Panda models how and how not to receive a gift. We can all relate to this. My daughter hates receiving clothes and struggles with how to receive them well around birthdays and holidays. This is a helpful read in that it encourages the reflection that “it’s the thought that counts” and demonstrates how to find gratitude beyond the gift. I also like this one because it models how to accept a gift you dislike with both politeness and honesty, a fine line for kids (and adults).
It Could Always Be Worse is a yiddish folk tale that explores the idea that “it could always be worse.” It’s also funny with nightmarish escalation of a problem and illustrations that get increasingly detailed and complex. A good one to read on a bad day or following a major disappointment in that it may invite perspective and get kids appreciating what they already have. Also a fun one to read for making predictions.
Bear Says Thanks explores gratitude among friends. There are many ways to give beyond presents. The illustrations are heartwarming and charming, most of all the ones of all the animals hanging out together.
Explore more books related to the character strength of gratitude here.
Gratitude is in the virtue category of Transcendence, along with appreciation of beauty and excellence, hope, humor, and spirituality. These are strengths that allow people to connect to the larger universe and make meaning in life, and have a reaching quality going beyond the individual.
