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Five Faves: New Picture Books About Gratitude

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American novelist and poet, Gertrude Stein, once said, "Silent gratitude isn't very much use to anyone." These books agree--they loudly proclaim all the wonderful things there are to be grateful for and remind readers of the joy of sharing that gratitude!  

By Jarvis
Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press, 2024. Picture Book.

A child goes about their day and finds so many things to be thankful for.   The child thanks a tree for it's shade, the sun and the moon, and the hat on their head that keeps their thoughts from floating away. Silly things, serious things, and everything in between, Thank You shows how many wonderful things there are to be thankful for.  

Finding Grateful 
Written by Diane White
Illustrated by Faith Pray
San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books LLC, 2024. Picture Book.

When their car breaks down, a mother and her little girl walk through city streets finding all the wonderful sights, smells, people, and things there are to be thankful for.  Readers are reminded that gratitude is a choice and things to be grateful for can be found and expressed even when experiencing hard things. 

Written by Lawrence Schimel
Illustrated by Juan Mayorga
Victoria, BC: Orca Book Publishers, 2023. Picture Book.

Bruno loves playing at his friend Sanjay's house. Sanjay has his own room and a pet iguana.   Playing at his house is fun and there are few rules to follow.  Playing at Bruno's house is much different.  His older brother, Mateo, is visually impaired, so things have to be put back in exactly the same place to help Mateo get around.  Even though there are more rules at his house and Bruno has to share his room with Mateo, Bruno couldn't feel more lucky to have Mateo as his brother. 

Written by Román, José Carlos
Illustrated by Elena Ferrándiz
Madrid, Spain: Cuento de Luz, 2023. Picture Book.

In this intergenerational read, grandparents are praised for the many ways they enrich the lives of their families.  Once the list of thanks is complete, the grandchildren promise 10 things they will do for and with their grandparent, including hugs everyday and watching sunsets. 

Written by Lindsay Zier-Vogel
Illustrated by Caroline Bonne Müller
Toronto, ON: Kids Can Press, 2023. Picture Book. 

Alice loves her neighborhood so much, but it seems that not everyone does, which makes Alice sad.  This give Alice an idea!  She'll write love letters to her neighborhood and hide them for neighbors to find! Alice's idea works, as previously grumbly neighbors start noticing all the wonder in their very own neck of the woods. But one day, Alice is the one who can't stop grumbling...
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