BOOK MARKED
Give Thanks with
Books About
Gratitude Start off the holiday season on a grateful note with
these books about giving thanks and giving back.

Discover stories that point out everyone we can
thank in our lives and explore the nuances behind
the history of the first Thanksgiving.

BY JENNIFER ROTHSCHILD, COLLECTION ENGAGEMENT MANAGER
ARLINGTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
PICTURE BOOKS
“Thank You, Neighbor!”
by Ruth Chan
A young girl walking her dog reminds readers to not
only feel grateful for all people in their lives but to
also tell them “thank you” as well. As the girl and
dog stroll through the neighborhood, she notices all
the people that make her community stick together,
from the firefighters rescuing a kitten and the
sanitation workers collecting garbage to the letter
carrier delivering the mail. She says “thank you” to
all of them, reminding us that this simple phrase can
help make people feel part of their community.

“We Give Thanks”
by Cynthia Rylant,
illustrated by Sergio Ruzzier
A frog and rabbit explore their town to issue a
special invitation to everyone they come across. On
each step of their travels, they also find something
to be thankful for. At the end of the day, everyone
gathers for a giant feast. Told in rhyming couplets
with watercolor illustrations, this story offers a
gentle reminder to be thankful for many of the
things we often take for granted.

“We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga”
by Traci Sorell, illustrated by Frane Lessac
Members of Cherokee Nation say “otsaliheliga”
(oh-jah-LEE-hay-lee-gah) to express gratitude,
something the family in this book does frequently
as they go through a year of Cherokee festivals,
holidays and celebrations. Sorell, a member of the
Cherokee Nation, includes several other Cherokee
32 Washington FAMILY NOVEMBER 2021
words and cultural symbols in the text. More
information is included in the book.

EARLY ELEMENTARY
“I Am Thankful”
by Suzy Capozzi, illustrated by Eren Unten
On Thanksgiving, a young boy spends his day
listing the things he’s thankful for. A busy day
of helping in the kitchen, running a turkey trot,
playing football and eating lead to many things to
be grateful for. Some things are small, like having
the day off school, and some things are bigger, like
being thankful that his firefighter father and his
co-workers work to keep the town safe, even if it
means he has to miss the family feast.

“Volunteering (Spreading Kindness)”
by Brienna Rossiter
Vibrant photographs and clear, simple text
introduce different ways beginning readers can
help their communities, such as cleaning up litter
or distributing food. This empowering text shows
younger kids concrete ways they can give back,
despite their age.

“The Thank You Book” (An Elephant
and Piggie Book, 25)
written and illustrated by Mo Willems
In Elephant and Piggie’s final adventure, Piggie
tries to thank everyone she can, but Gerald is
worried she’ll forget to thank the most important
person of all. Piggie embarks on her “Thank-a-
Rama” anyway, and with Gerald’s help, she makes
sure everyone is recognized.