FINDING GRATEFUL, by Dianne White and Faith Pray, Chronicle Books, April 16, 2024, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 5-8)
Finding Grateful, written by Dianne White and illustrated by Faith Pray, encourages young readers to find gratitude in the smallest of moments.
What does grateful look like? How does it feel? How do you find it? Even in the face of a challenge, you don’t need a map: You just need to pay attention to the little things—a smile, a hug, the smell of newly cut grass—that add up to a sense of presence and hope.
This book is a reminder to pause, reflect, and take in the glimmers of positivity and connection that can be found amid even the most difficult circumstances. —Synopsis provided by Chronicle Books
Gratitude is a way children — and adults — can center themselves. Two years ago, my daughter’s school theme was Beyond Grateful. Students were asked to think about the things they were grateful for and then take action. Finding Grateful does the same.
Author Dianne White’s prose is gentle and warm. Phrases like, “I wonder: can grateful be a smile?” help young readers understand how something simple can have a big impact.
Illustrator Faith Pray’s artwork — done in watercolor inks, crayon sticks, colored pencils and linoleum blocks — are full of movement and expression.
The publisher’s suggested age range for Finding Grateful is 5-8, but given the simplicity of the text and the age of the main character, it feels a bit younger, ages 3-7.
Finding Grateful helps kids recognize how to embrace joy.
Find recommended reading, activities, and links at findinggrateful.com.
About the author:
Dianne White is a writing teacher and the author of many award-winning picture books, including Blue on Blue, illustrated by Caldecott medalist Beth Krommes, and Dark on Light, illustrated by Felicita Sala. Dianne loves purple flowers, puppies, and “finding grateful” each and every day. For more, visit findinggrateful.com and diannewrites.com.
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