Life can get pretty busy—how often do we stop and reflect on all of the goodness around us? Probably not often enough. Being thankful is scientifically proven to improve the quality of our lives, so it’s something we should definitely be encouraging in our classrooms all year round. To help you get started, we’ve put together this list of gratitude quotes that you’ll feel good about sharing with students.
Gratitude Quotes From Children’s Books
Many kids books have themes of gratitude and include famous quotes worth sharing. Here are some of our favorites:
I am happy. I am very happy. This morning when I woke up I felt good because the sun was shining. I felt good because I was a frog. And I felt good because I have you as a friend. I wanted to be alone. I wanted to think about how fine everything is. —from Days With Frog and Toad by Arnold Lobel
We appreciate the complicated and wonderful gifts you give us in each other. And we appreciate the task you put down before us, of loving each other the best we can, even as you love us. —from Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
Goodnight stars, goodnight air, goodnight noises everywhere. —Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
Sometimes when you’re surrounded by dirt … you’re a better witness for what’s beautiful. —Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña
And for all I know he is sitting there still, under his favorite cork tree, smelling the flowers just quietly. He is very happy. —from The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf
In November, people are good to each other. They carry pies to each other’s homes and talk by crackling woodstoves, sipping mellow cider. They travel very far on a special November day just to share a meal with one another and to give thanks for their many blessings—for the food on their tables and the babies in their arms. —from In November by Cynthia Rylant
On the night you were born, the moon smiled with such wonder that the stars peeked in to see you and the night wind whispered, “Life will never be the same.” —from On the Night You Were Born by Nancy Tillman
“I don’t need very much now,” said the boy, “just a quiet place to sit and rest. I am very tired.” “Well,” said the tree, straightening herself up as much as she could, “well, an old stump is good for sitting and resting. Come, Boy, sit down. Sit down and rest.” And the boy did. And the tree was happy. —from The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
Piglet noticed that even though he had a Very Small Heart, it could hold a rather large amount of Gratitude. —Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne
You have been my friend. That in itself is a tremendous thing. —Charlotte to Wilbur in Charlotte’s Web (E.B. White)
I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers. —from Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
More Gratitude Quotes for Kids
Here are more of our favorite quotes about gratitude to share with your students.