Welcome back to Bookstr’s Three to Read Jr. series! This week, we’re sharing three books about gratitude that are sure to inspire thankfulness in any young reader. Since each of these books has been catered to a different age group, this diverse set of children’s stories will remind the youngsters in our lives of everything there is to be grateful for! The first story is excellent for little readers five and under, the second is perfect for six- to ten-year-olds, and the third novel is aimed toward 11- to 13-year-olds.
Books like these grant kids the opportunity to be thankful all year round. From picture books for the little ones to middle grade novels, let’s dive into three heartwarming books about gratitude!
EARLY READERS
Fox and the Mystery Letter by Alex G Griffiths
SYNOPSIS:
Brimming with soft, autumn-esque illustrations, author-illustrator Alex G Griffiths’ heartwarming children’s story Fox and the Mystery Letter gives young readers a glimpse into Fox’s quiet, solitary forest. Fox enjoys being alone. He’s never questioned his relaxed, lonesome existence — until he stumbles upon an unexpected letter from an old friend that turns his lonely life upside down with a mystery to solve! Warm, whimsical, and full of friendship, this puzzle-filled mystery book pulls little readers along on Fox’s unforgettable journey of discovering gratitude, forgiveness, and the importance of old friends.
WHY:
Alex G Griffiths’ fantastical storytelling balances engaging mystery with quirky, lovable illustrations, tugging young readers along to unravel the mystery of Fox’s old friendship, while emphasizing the importance of thankfulness along the way. Fox and the Mystery Letter is a book about gratitude and forgiveness, teaching children the importance of cherishing friendship and not taking others for granted. Ultimately, the story’s soft, whimsical quality makes this a perfect read for you and your little ones!
ELEMENTARY READERS
Bela and Lily by Natasha Khan Kazi
SYNOPSIS:
A beautiful tribute to her own experiences as a five-year-old immigrant in the United States, author-illustrator Natasha Khan Kazi’s heartwarming picture book Bela and Lily combines gentle humor with colorful illustrations, a loving reminder of friendship’s ability to bridge language barriers and bring people from different cultures together. When Bela meets Lily on the swings, the two struggle to communicate since they don’t know each other’s languages; however, once they realize all the wonderful things they have in common, the young girls overcome their cultural differences and discover the fun of childhood friendship. Kazi’s heartwarming story reminds children to be grateful for all the differences that bring us together, making this a perfect friendship-centered tale for little ones.
WHY:
Bela and Lily is a story about expressing gratitude for those around us, teaching young readers the importance of cherishing friends and forming connections — regardless of the little differences we see on the surface! Despite the language barrier and cultural gap between the two little girls in the story, they form a close, unwavering friendship built upon love, laughter, and a desire to learn more about each other’s worlds. Natasha Khan Kazi’s touching children’s story weaves themes of budding friendship, overcoming differences, and being thankful for new friends, emphasizing the importance of gratitude.
MIDDLE GRADE READERS
What Fell from the Sky by Adrianna Cuevas
SYNOPSIS:
A soul-stirring story about a young boy’s attempts to protect a strange, alien-like creature from the violent U.S. military takeover of his beloved rural town, Adrianna Cuevas’ What Fell from the Sky is a perfect gratitude-centered novel for middle grade readers. Based on true historical events, the story follows main character Pineda as he navigates the destructive consequences of an over-controlling government, the promise he made to the alien girl who fell from the sky, and an unexpected adventure that could alter his town forever. Aimed at older kids, this book handles a number of complex topics such as government-sanctioned violence, self-discovery, and the struggles that arise as a result of standing up for what you believe in.
WHY:
Adrianna Cuevas’ touching middle grade novel, What Fell from the Sky, is a story about loyalty and remembering what makes us grateful for the people we love. After Pineda promises to protect a young alien girl from the U.S. soldiers tasked with hunting her family down, he must grapple with the complex challenges of being thankful for your friends — including the risk that comes with ensuring their safety in the face of grave danger. A beautiful, fast-paced adventure book for older kids to cherish, Cuevas’ story reminds readers to be thankful for those who keep us safe when the world looks dark.
That’s all for this Three to Read Jr.! We hope you’ll teach your little ones to cherish the stories that remind us to be thankful all year round. If you enjoy these recommendations, feel free to join us next time for more stories geared toward little book lovers of all ages!
Want more stories to get your little bookworms excited about reading? Check out this Three to Read Jr.!
Get more curated book recommendations from our 3TR Bookshelf on Bookshop.
