Gathering Gratitude: Picture Books That Celebrate Thankfulness and Joy
Thanksgiving isn’t just about feasts and festivities — it’s about pausing to appreciate the moments, people, and small joys that make life rich and full. Picture books have a beautiful way of helping children (and grown-ups, too) understand what gratitude really means. Through laughter, imagination, and heartfelt storytelling, they remind us that being thankful isn’t reserved for one holiday — it’s a practice that can brighten even the cloudiest days.
In this cozy Thanksgiving roundup, I’ve gathered four picture books that perfectly capture the spirit of gratitude in all its forms: from finding comfort above the clouds with Asha, to setting sail on a gravy-filled adventure, to racing toward kindness with a team of turkeys, and even learning to smile again with a grumpy bear. Each story offers its own blend of humor, heart, and reflection — just right for family read-alouds, classroom discussions, or quiet bedtime moments leading up to Thanksgiving.
Thankful Over the Clouds with Asha by The Bartel FamilyMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Finding Light Above the Clouds
Thankful Over the Clouds with Asha by The Bartel Family is a tender, heartwarming story about finding gratitude even when life feels heavy. Young Asha meets a lonely turkey who misses his faraway family, and together they discover that by focusing on the small things they’re thankful for — warm socks, crayons, cozy stories — they can lift their spirits and even feel as though they’re floating above the clouds. It’s a sweet metaphor for how gratitude can transform sadness into lightness, making this book a perfect conversation starter for children who miss someone or feel a little down.
The story’s emotional honesty is one of its strongest qualities. It doesn’t rush to fix loneliness or hide it behind cheerful colors — instead, it sits with it, gently showing children that it’s okay to miss people we love. Through Asha’s quiet courage and the comforting bond she forms with her feathered friend, readers learn that gratitude isn’t about ignoring what’s missing, but about remembering what remains. The pacing and warmth of the text invite both reflection and comfort, making it ideal for bedtime or classroom discussions about emotions and thankfulness.
Visually and conceptually, Thankful Over the Clouds with Asha feels like a soft hug wrapped in a story. The Bartel Family’s message — that gratitude can help us rise above sadness — resonates beautifully across all ages. It’s a book that reminds parents, teachers, and children alike to pause, breathe, and look up. Whether read during the holidays or on an ordinary cloudy afternoon, this story encourages little hearts to find light in the everyday.
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Grace and the Gravy Pirates: A HEINZ Thanksgiving Story by Aaron CushleyMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Sailing into Thanksgiving Fun
Grace and the Gravy Pirates: A HEINZ Thanksgiving Story by Aaron Cushley is a delightfully imaginative picture book that turns a familiar holiday into a seafaring adventure. When Grace’s Thanksgiving dinner turns into a creative playground, her mashed potatoes become waves, her peas are cannonballs, and the gravy transforms into a shimmering sea ready for sailing. What follows is a hilarious, heartwarming voyage of imagination, gratitude, and family connection — showing how even the messiest moments at the dinner table can be filled with joy and togetherness.
Cushley’s storytelling sparkles with humor and warmth, and his illustrations are rich with playful detail. Every page invites readers to spot clever food-inspired surprises — from gravy whirlpools to mashed-potato islands — making it a visual treat for children and adults alike. Beneath the fun, the story celebrates curiosity, gratitude, and the creative spirit of a child who sees adventure in the most unexpected places. It’s a refreshing reminder that Thanksgiving isn’t just about perfect meals but about celebrating with the people (and imaginations) that make life delicious.
With its lively tone and cozy message, Grace and the Gravy Pirates stands out as a Thanksgiving book families will reach for year after year. It captures both the chaos and charm of holiday gatherings and turns them into a giggle-worthy, heartwarming memory. Perfect for storytime after dinner — or when you need a reminder that gratitude and creativity make the best feast of all.
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Turkey Trot: The Race of Their Lives, Children’s Rhyming Picture Book on a Thanksgiving Tale About Gratitude, Read Aloud Thanksgiving Book by Syd BlueMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Racing Toward Gratitude
Turkey Trot: The Race of Their Lives by Syd Blue, Jeff Wilcox, and José Patiño is a lively, rhyming picture book that captures the fun, chaos, and heart of Thanksgiving. Set against the backdrop of a small-town Turkey Trot race, it follows a group of plucky turkeys determined to prove that Thanksgiving is about more than just the feast — it’s about gratitude, teamwork, and giving your best effort, even when the odds seem stacked against you. The rhythmic text makes it a joy to read aloud, and the story’s humor and heart will keep young listeners cheering right up to the finish line.
The rhymes bounce with energy, making it perfect for classroom storytime or a family read before the big holiday meal. Each verse blends action and emotion beautifully, showing that winning isn’t everything — appreciating what you have and supporting one another matters most. José Patiño’s vibrant illustrations add an extra layer of charm, filling the pages with expressive characters, motion, and warmth that make the turkeys’ big race come alive.
Beyond the laughs and the lively tempo, Turkey Trot delivers a deeper message about gratitude — a theme that fits perfectly with the Thanksgiving spirit. It reminds readers that sometimes the greatest victories happen off the racetrack: in friendship, kindness, and community. This book will have families laughing, rhyming, and reflecting together — a true Thanksgiving treat for the heart and imagination.
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Can Grunt the Grizzly Learn to Be Grateful? by Misty BlackMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
When a Grumpy Bear Learns to Smile
Grunt the Grizzly is having one of those days — the kind where even the smallest things seem to go wrong. His fur is messy, his breakfast isn’t right, and nothing seems good enough to lift his mood. As Grunt spends the day at school, spreading his “grumpies” to everyone he meets, his friends gently remind him that sometimes the best way to feel better is to notice the good that’s still around. Slowly, Grunt learns that gratitude isn’t about pretending everything’s perfect — it’s about finding something small and real to be thankful for, even when the day starts off badly.
Misty Black writes with the kind of warmth and rhythm that make her stories instantly engaging to young readers. The gentle repetition of Grunt’s mantra — “Grumpies, grumpies, go away. I would rather smile today.” — gives children a tool they can actually use when big emotions take over. Ana Rankovic’s illustrations bring so much heart to the story, painting the forest in soft, expressive tones that mirror Grunt’s changing mood. Each spread feels alive with emotion, from the stormy frowns to the sunshine that follows once gratitude takes root.
Can Grunt the Grizzly Learn to Be Grateful? is more than just a cute woodland story — it’s a gentle guide to emotional awareness and resilience. It shows children that bad moods don’t have to ruin the day and that gratitude can be learned, practiced, and shared. With its blend of humor, heart, and practicality, this book belongs on every preschool and classroom shelf — a perfect reminder that even the grumpiest mornings can end with a smile.
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These stories remind us that gratitude doesn’t always come from grand gestures — sometimes it’s as simple as noticing the warmth of a blanket, the laughter at a messy dinner table, or the friends who cheer us on when we stumble. Whether your Thanksgiving is filled with turkey trots, creative chaos, or calm reflection, these books offer gentle lessons on how to slow down and say thank you for the little things.
So, as you gather with loved ones this season, take a few moments to share these stories with the children in your life. They’ll spark smiles, conversations, and maybe even a new family tradition — one where gratitude becomes the best part of the feast.
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