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BOOK LIST

20+ Read-Alouds to Teach About Gratitude Under $6

Help young readers learn to be grateful and express their thanks with these read-aloud books for grades PreK-5.

By Scholastic Editors
November 5, 2024

Gratitude is an important quality to instill in students to create a culture of kindness in the classroom, the community, and beyond. Practicing gratitude teaches students about having empathy for themselves and others, which allows them to develop strong relationships and effectively manage setbacks and challenges.

These 20+ read-alouds (all under $6!) feature charming and relatable characters who model important social-emotional skills as they learn to be grateful for the things they have and express their gratitude to their friends, family, and neighbors.

Plus, check out these writing prompts to teach gratitude in your classroom. 

Featuring favorite characters like Peppa Pig in Peppa Pig: Peppa Gives Thanks, as well as classic fables like The Lion and the Mouse and The Magic Fish, these stories will engage young readers at a pivotal time in their social-emotional development.

Shop books about gratitude below! You can find all books and activities at The Teacher Store.

Board Book

Teeny Tiny: Teeny Tiny Turkey

Grades Pre-K
$4.49$5.99
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On a sleepy little farm, While the moon shone bright, All the forest creatures prepared for party night... This teeny tiny turkey doesn't know what to bring to a harvest party with all of her friends. Will she find the perfect way to help and be thankful? Discover the perfect Thanksgiving read-aloud, full of vibrant illustrations and bouncy rhymes, perfect for the holiday!

Paperback Book

Frozen: Olaf Gives Thanks

Grades Pre-K - K
$4.50$6.00
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This picture book is full of delights from beautiful and fun stylized illustrations to a rhyming story about our favorite snowman reminding readers how wonderful each day can be and how much there truly is to be thankful for.

Paperback Book

If Animals...: If Animals Gave Thanks

Grades Pre-K - K
$4.46$5.95
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In the same vein as If Animals Kissed Good Night, this picture book from Ann Whitford Paul and David Walker explores how different members of the animal kingdom might give thanks.

A bilingual celebration of the moments and tender connections that bring people of all ages joy.

Board Book

Stinky Face: Thank You, Stinky Face

Grades Pre-K - K
$5.99$7.99
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In this new, original Stinky Face story, Mama tells her little one that she's thankful for him. Stinky Face, of course, has a question. With greasy, taco-covered hands and face, he asks, Mama, are you thankful for me even right now?

Paperback Book

Mi Comunidad / My Community

Grades Pre-K - K
$4.46$5.95
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My Community! is a joyful walk around the community to get to know people who help us stay safe, learn and thrive.

Paperback Book

The Lion and the Mouse

Grades Pre-K - 1
$5.21$6.95
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Bernadette Watts retells Aesop's fable of the mouse whose life is spared by a lion, who returns the favor many years later by gnawing through the ropes in which the lion is ensnared.

Paperback Book

Feeling Thankful

Grades Pre-K - 1
$5.21$6.95
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In this concept book, children are thankful for the special people in their life, for walks in the rain, and for the whole world.

Paperback Book

Friendsgiving

Grades Pre-K - 2
$4.46$5.95
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The leaves are falling, the air is crisp, and Berry, Ginger, and Willow are enjoying the delights of fall. When these old friends join with new friends to bask in the bounty of the season, there is a lot to be thankful for-and a new tradition is born . . . Friendsgiving!

Paperback Book

Sylvester and the Magic Pebble

Grades Pre-K - 2
$5.96$7.95
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On a rainy day, Sylvester finds a magic pebble that can make wishes come true, with unexpected results.

Each book in this lively leveled reader series builds social emotional awareness while building reading skills.

Paperback Book

Let's Bee Thankful (Bumble and Bee #3)

Grades K - 2
$4.49$5.99
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With easy-to-read text, a short-story format, plenty of humor, and full-color artwork, this book will plant a love of reading!

Paperback Book

Last Stop on Market Street

Grades K - 3
$5.21$6.95
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A grandson's questions are met with encouraging answers from Grandma, who helps him see the beauty and fun in their routine and the world around them.

Paperback Book

We Are Grateful

Grades K - 3
$5.21$6.95
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The Cherokee community is grateful for blessings and challenges that each season brings. This is modern Native American life as told by an enrolled citizen of the Cherokee Nation.

Paperback Book

The Magic Fish

Grades 1 - 2
$2.99$3.99
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An old fisherman catches a magic fish that grants him and his wife increasingly elaborate wishes in a classic story of greed and its consequences.

Paperback Book

Pearl and Squirrel Give Thanks

Grades 1 - 3
$4.46$5.95
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With sweet, bouncing text and animated, vibrant illustrations, Pearl and Squirrel Give Thanks introduces an adorable friendship duo, and is the perfect pick for helping little ones remember all the things they are thankful for!

Paperback Book

A Chair for My Mother

Grades 1 - 3
$5.96$7.95
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A young girl and her waitress mother save coins in a big jar in hopes that they can someday buy a big, new, comfortable chair for their apartment.

$5.96$7.95
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Brimming with good humor and illuminated with Mexican folk art, this bilingual fable about sisters with abundant gardens spreads the hopefulness of harvests.

Paperback Book

Thank You, Mr. Falker

Grades 3 - 5
$5.21$6.95
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In fifth grade, Trisha is lucky enough to have a teacher who recognizes her incredible artistic ability, understands her reading problem, and takes the time to lead her to the magic of reading.

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