Looking for the perfect picture book to inspire gratitude in kids?

November is a perfect time to focus on gratitude, and picture books are a wonderful way to encourage thankfulness in young readers. They bring emotions to life and help children understand the importance of appreciating what they have.

As a 3rd grade teacher, I know how valuable it is to find resources that make concepts like gratitude relatable and engaging for kids, especially as the holiday season approaches.

These picture books are excellent tools to support your students’ understanding of gratitude this November, whether they’re learning about it for the first time or could use a gentle reminder to appreciate life’s little blessings.

The List of Picture Books to Inspire Gratitude

A Chair for My Mother

A Chair for My Mother follows a young girl and her family as they save up to buy a comfortable chair after losing their home to a fire. Through hard work and perseverance, they finally reach their goal, highlighting themes of family, resilience, and gratitude.

This book is an excellent read-aloud for elementary students due to its heartwarming story and expressive illustrations. The narrative conveys strong messages about family support and the importance of appreciating what we have, which resonates well with young listeners.

Suggested Use in a Social-Emotional Lesson:
After reading, prompt students to think about what they’re grateful for in their own lives. They can then create a “gratitude jar” by writing down things they appreciate on slips of paper to collect over time. This activity helps reinforce the idea of gratitude by encouraging students to recognize and reflect on positive aspects of their lives, just as the characters in the story appreciate their new chair.

Check it out HERE.

Dream Street

In Dream Street, young children explore a vibrant neighborhood filled with unique individuals who bring life and inspiration to their community. Through the eyes of a young boy, we meet neighbors who are dreamers, thinkers, and doers, each with their own stories and aspirations. The book celebrates diversity, kindness, and the power of dreams.

Dream Street beautifully captures the richness of community life and the value of connection. By showcasing a diverse group of characters, the story helps kids see the importance of appreciating those around them and valuing different perspectives. It’s a lovely reminder to be grateful for the people who make up our communities and to recognize the unique gifts everyone brings.

Suggested Use in a Social-Emotional Lesson:
Dream Street is ideal for an SEL lesson on gratitude and community. After reading, invite students to discuss what makes their own neighborhoods special and how they can show appreciation for those who contribute to their communities. As an activity, have students create a “Gratitude Map” of their neighborhood or school, identifying people and places they’re thankful for. This helps them recognize the value of community connections and fosters a sense of gratitude for the people who impact their lives.

Check it out HERE.

Last Stop on Market Street

In Last Stop on Market Street, young CJ takes a bus ride across town with his Nana after church. As they travel through the city, CJ questions why they don’t have things that others do, like a car. Nana helps him see the beauty and richness in his surroundings, teaching him to appreciate the world around him and the diverse people they meet along the way.

This story is a beautiful reminder to find joy in everyday moments and appreciate what we have. CJ’s journey with his Nana shows kids that gratitude is about seeing value in what surrounds us, rather than longing for what we don’t have. Through the vibrant city scenes and thoughtful dialogue, the book encourages children to cultivate an open heart and a grateful mindset.

Suggested Use in a Social-Emotional Lesson:
Last Stop on Market Street is perfect for an SEL lesson on gratitude and perspective. After reading, discuss with students how CJ’s feelings change throughout the story and how Nana helps him see things differently. Have students reflect on things they take for granted and identify something beautiful or unique they might not have noticed before. As a follow-up activity, ask students to create “Gratitude Postcards,” illustrating something in their everyday life that brings them joy. This helps reinforce appreciation for the simple things and broadens their perspective on gratitude.

Check it out HERE.

Those Shoes

In Those Shoes, Jeremy longs for a pair of stylish black sneakers, but his family can only afford necessities. He finally finds a pair at a thrift store, though they’re too small. In a selfless act, Jeremy gives them to a friend who truly needs them, learning about gratitude and kindness along the way.

This story offers a touching lesson on wants versus needs, making it a perfect way to inspire gratitude. Jeremy’s journey shows kids that happiness isn’t found in material things but in appreciating what they have and sharing with others. It’s a simple yet powerful message about kindness and gratitude.

Suggested Use in a Social-Emotional Lesson:
Those Shoes is an ideal book for a Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) lesson about empathy and gratitude. After reading, discuss with students how Jeremy felt at different points in the story and why he ultimately chose to give the shoes to his friend. Have students share a time they felt a similar way or made a difficult decision to help someone else. As a follow-up activity, students can create gratitude lists, highlighting things they have that might go unnoticed and how they can practice kindness in their daily lives. This exercise helps reinforce the importance of being grateful and caring for others.

Check it out HERE.

Need A Resource on Kindness?

I have the perfect resource to complement your gratitude read-alouds—a collaborative kindness coloring poster! After reading about gratitude, students can work together on this poster, reinforcing how thankfulness connects to acts of kindness. As they contribute their own pieces, they’ll see how their efforts create a meaningful, shared outcome. It’s a hands-on way to bring the lessons of gratitude to life and encourage students to express it through kindness.

• Check it out HERE

I hope this list of picture books brings a little extra warmth and gratitude to your classroom this season. Teaching kids about gratitude can be challenging, but with these engaging stories, we can make the concept stick in a fun and memorable way.

If you have any favorite books or activities for inspiring gratitude, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments! Let’s keep supporting one another as we help our students grow into kind, thankful individuals. We’ve got this!

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