As we near the end of a very unique year, now is a great time to slow down, take a deep breath, and share some gratitude with those around you. And to get started, here are some gratitude themed books to kick off the conversation.
Take the Beanstack & Beanbright gratitude challenge and log your own reads this November. Share your favorites on social media with #ReadGrateful!
Elementary
The Thankful Book - In Todd Parr’s classic bright colored, heavily outlined style, children share what they are grateful for. From ears that hear to baths that keep us clean, this relatable book is a great conversation starter to develop your child’s attitude of gratitude!
We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga - In this #OwnVoices text, author Traci Sorell takes readers on a journey throughout the year with the Cherokee community. She highlights their traditions and recognizes their painful past, all while calling attention to the beautiful sense of community and gratitude for nature throughout the four seasons.
The Giving Tree - Forgive me for gushing, but this is one of my all-time favorite books. Shel Silverstein does a masterful job of taking us on the journey of a boy’s life from the innocence of childhood to the weariness of old age. Along the way, the tree selflessly gives everything she can to the boy. He keeps taking and taking until he finally tires and is grateful for the most basic of things. Keep a tissue close for this classic.
The Thank You Book (An Elephant and Piggie Book) - How could you resist Mo WIllems dynamic duo? In this final installment of the Elephant and Piggie books, the hilarious friends banter about Piggie’s mission to “thank everyone who is important to me!” until Piggie realizes he may have missed some very important people.
Thank You, Omu! - Sometimes a scent is just too scrumptious to resist! That’s what happens in Oge Mora’s Caldecott honor debut. Omu’s soup has neighbors and friends showing up for a taste of her delicious cooking. But, she gives and gives so much that she forgets to save some for herself! How will her neighbors repay her? Immerse yourself in this beautiful book to find out how they show their gratitude for Omu’s selflessness.
Middle School & Young Teens
Out of My Mind - It’s easy to take things for granted. But even talking and walking aren’t within reach for Melody Brooks. Determined to not let her cerebral palsy limit her any more, Melody takes on the thoughts, opinions, and limitations that have confined her for so long once she gets a talking computer.
I Am Malala: How One Girl Stood Up for Education and Changed the World - Malala will continue to be an inspiration for generations to come. After being shot for using her voice to fight for women’s education rights, Malala survives and thrives by continuing to fight for education and human rights. Use this book to open up a discussion with your child about the doors that literacy and education can unlock and how leaders like Malala are bringing this to light.
Thanku: Poems of Gratitude - a poetry anthology offers a variety of voices to convey a bigger truth. In this case, gratitude is front and center. Poets share their reflections on the subject in an array of poetry forms, from sonnets to sijos.
Older Teens & Adults
Find the Good: Unexpected Life Lessons from a Small-Town Obituary Writer - You wouldn’t necessarily put obituary and optimism in the same category, but author Heather Lende proves it’s possible and quite necessary. This book explores the interconnectedness, sacrifice, and love that binds us all together and the impact each life can have.
The Book of Delights: Essays - A beautifully written compilation of reflections by Ross Gay, this book oozes gratitude against the backdrop of the complexities of relationships, race, and finding delight in the mess of life. Add this to your TBR stack stat.
Finding Chika: A Little Girl, an Earthquake, and the Making of a Family - This memoir will make you laugh, cry, and marvel at the strength of an unstoppable little girl from Haiti. Told from the perspective of her adopted father, Chika’s story is one of love, hope, and acceptance. Somehow, even when the worst scenarios actually happen, there’s still room for gratitude.