12 Books and Movies That Inspire Kids to Give Thanks

Want to raise kids who are grateful for their blessings? Of course you do. This list of movies and books will inspire kids of all ages to be thankful well past Thanksgiving. From classic films such as A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and It’s a Wonderful Life to new books such as Last Stop on Market Street, you’ll find lots of reasons to be grateful for this list of winning kids’ picks.

READ

Bear Says Thanks
By Karma Wilson
Warm animal story celebrates gratitude and friendship.
Recommended for ages 3 and older
Quality: 4 out of 5
McElderry Books, 2012

Last Stop on Market Street
By Matt de la Pena
Tender story of Nana showing grandson city beauty via bus.
Recommended for ages 3 and older
Quality: 5 out of 5
G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2015

Crenshaw
By Katherine Applegate
Pitch-perfect story about boy and family facing hard times.
Recommended for ages 8 and older
Quality: 5 out of 5
Feiwel and Friends, 2015

I Am Malala: How One Girl Stood Up For Education and Changed the World
Inspiring memoir of teen Nobel laureate shot by Taliban.
Recommended for ages 10 and older
Quality: 5 out of 5
Little, Brown and Company, 2014

March: Book One
By John Lewis, Andrew Aydin
Powerful graphic novel captures spirit of desegregation.
Recommended for ages 12 and older
Quality: 5 out of 5
Top Shelf, 2013

Homeroom Diaries
By James Patterson, Lisa Papademetriou
Cyberbullied teens promote happiness in sweet misfit tale.
Recommended for ages 14 and older
Quality: 4 out of 5
Hachette Book Group, 2014

WATCH

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving
Classic Turkey Day special for young and old.
Recommended for ages 4 and older
Quality: 5 out of 5
Directed by Bill Melendez, Phil Roman
Paramount Pictures, 1973

Veggie Tales: Madame Blueberry
Great songs and a timely message about the dangers of greed.
Recommended for ages 4 and older
Quality: 4 out of 5
Directed by Chris Olsen, Phil Vischer
Big Idea Productions, 1998

It’s a Wonderful Life
This classic delivers warmth all year long.
Recommended for ages 9 and older
Quality: 5 out of 5
Directed by Frank Capra
RKO, 1946

Kindness Is Contagious
Warm, feel-good docu about being nice is uplifting.
Recommended for ages 9 and older
Quality: 4 out of 5
Directed by David Gaz
Docurama, 2015

Groundhog Day
‘90s comedy offers witty, sarcastic take on redemption.
Recommended for ages 11 and older
Quality: 5 out of 5
Directed by Harold Ramis
Columbia Tristar, 1993

Forrest Gump
Moving and wonderful, but parent preview a good idea.
Recommended for ages 13 and older
Quality: 5 out of 5
Directed by Robert Zemeckis
Paramount Pictures, 1994

(Photo: RKO Pictures)

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