Small Stories with Plenty to Chew On
The Thanksgiving season brings a natural pause—a moment to notice generosity, name what we’re thankful for, and think together about what we owe one another. This Thanksgiving Stories collection from the Prindle Institute’s Teaching Children Philosophy library invites young readers to explore gratitude, community, and everyday kindness through three beloved picture books. These guides, designed for classrooms and family story time alike, help children reflect on how thankfulness takes shape in our daily lives—and how we can practice it with intention.
About the Collection
Our new K–5 collection for Thanksgiving gathers stories that make gratitude feel vivid and real. In Thank You, Omu!, a pot of stew becomes a neighborhood celebration of giving, prompting discussions about sharing, reciprocity, and what builds community. The Thank You Book turns a simple goodbye into a lesson about noticing those who support us—even when we forget. And Last Stop on Market Street invites readers to see beauty in the ordinary and to consider how gratitude shapes our understanding of fairness, privilege, and connection.
Each story is paired with a ready-to-use discussion guide to help teachers and caregivers spark meaningful conversations about generosity, empathy, and what it means to live gratefully in our communities. Explore the collection below.
Thank You, Omu!
Oge Mora’s award-winning tale follows Omu, whose delicious stew draws neighbors from all over the block. With each knock at her door, she gives a little more—until her pot is empty. But generosity has a way of coming back. This warm, collage-filled story invites conversations about sharing, communal care, and how small acts of giving shape the places we call home.
Get the guideThe Thank You Book
Mo Willems’ Elephant and Piggie finale offers a simple but powerful idea: gratitude takes practice. As Piggie thanks everyone she can think of—and Gerald worries she’ll miss someone—young readers reflect on what it means to acknowledge others, why we express thanks, and how appreciation strengthens friendships. Lighthearted and sincere, it’s a joyful way to explore everyday ethics.
Get the guideLast Stop on Market Street
Matt de la Peña and Christian Robinson’s modern classic follows CJ and his grandmother across the city on their weekly bus ride. Through their conversation, CJ learns to see wonder where others might overlook it—from music on the bus to the community waiting at their final stop. The story gently opens space for questions about gratitude, economic inequality, and how perspective shapes the way we understand our world. This discussion guide is also available in Spanish.
Get the guide