Looking for children’s books on thankfulness with characters who show gratitude? Let’s look at these five read alouds that teach & express gratitude without it feeling like a lesson!
Five Little Peppers and How They Grew
by Margaret Sidney
Mrs. Pepper, a widow, does her best to make ends meet for the sake of her five children, staying hopeful even when things go wrong. The family may be poor, but the children (Ben, Polly, Joel, Davie, and Phronsie) are eager to help their mother and make the best of what they DO have!
Then, when the Peppers make a new friend, their lives are changed forever.
Not only will kids enjoy the homemade fun of the Pepper family, but they will also be impacted by the poverty of the Pepper family and realize how many blessings they have themselves.
2. Pollyanna
by Eleanor H. Porter
Despite having suffered tragedy herself, Pollyanna tries to find the good in everything. By playing the “Glad Game” her father invented, Pollyanna unconsciously encourages nearly everyone she meets. Teaching people to see the good in life and to be grateful for the things they have, one little girl changes the outlook of so many people.
Children will giggle over the funny parts of read aloud books on thankfulness and won’t miss the amazing impact Pollyanna makes in the lives of others.
Who knows, maybe YOUR kids will want to play the “Glad Game” too!
3. The Little House on the Prairie Series
by Laura Ingalls Wilder
This classic series is a valuable read for a lot of reasons, but one of them is the gratefulness of the Ingalls family for things that we take for granted.
When was the last time you were being thankful and excited for glass windows or Christmas candy? Most of us have never had to worry about nearly starving or freezing to death as the family dealt with in The Long Winter.
Even when things were going well for the Ingalls in Little House in the Big Woods, it’s still awesome to see how content they were with such simple things.
4. Little Women
by Louisa May Alcott
With Father away during the war, things aren’t ideal for the March sisters. With the four girls all wishing things were different, it’s easy to let discontentedness slip in.
Their mother, Marmee, wisely helps the sisters see their blessings and what the important things in life are. Not only do the girls learn to do their best in their everyday duties, they also learn to help those less fortunate than themselves.
5. The Secret Garden
by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Mary is a very spoiled little girl who doesn’t care very much about anything. After her parents die, she is sent to live with her uncle, who although not unkind, is very uninvolved with his niece’s life.
After befriending the maid and her family, Mary sees how grateful they are for the little they have. Not only do her experiences cause her to start being thankful herself, Mary also ends up helping change the life of another spoiled child. More books on thankfulness to read with your family.
Free Gratitude Challenge
To help you out, I’ve created a simple 30 Day Gratitude Challenge Printable. Each person in your family should have their own printable. At dinner time or bedtime, let your kids write what they are thankful for that day. There is enough space on the printable to let your kids write what they are thankful for that day.
K. E. Faulkner grew up in a Christian home and hopes to encourage others through writing. With her debut children’s book Emily’s Christmas, and the sequel Emily Woodnap, she plans to create a series about Emily Woodnap and her family and friends. K. E. Faulkner enjoys reading historical fiction and playing guitar. Follow her on Instagram, Facebook and on X(formerly Twitter).
