My First Gratitude Journal: Fun and Fast Ways for Kids to Give Daily Thanks

by Creative Journals for Kids

Grateful kids are happy kids! Practicing gratitude increases happiness, improves self-esteem, and lowers levels of stress—and this easy-to-use journal is sure to help kids tap into that extraordinary power for the first time. Through writing and drawing, children will learn to give daily thanks for the good in their lives. Every ten days they’ll respond to more in-depth prompts that ask them to think about gratitude on a broader scale. Best of all, they’ll develop a healthy habit for the rest of their lives. My First Gratitude Journal

128 pages, Paperback

Published December 17, 2019

Reviews

[Kelli W · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this books theme, and the message they are trying to encourage via journaling. As the synopsis stated, gratitude can be an extraordinary power. Trying to teach kids early on about the concepts of appreciation and acknowledgment of the good in their lives in a simple encouraging manner. Start small and it will slowly build the habit of gratitude journaling. It is a great way to teach mindfulness and how to be grateful, which hopefully the kids can develop those skills for the rest of their lives. It is important to note that this book is not a guide to gratitude journaling, it is a journal itself to be used, written in, draw in, color, etc.

I had previously read about the supposed many benefits of gratitude journaling for adults (please note, I am not a doctor). I was amazed at the areas it was linked to allegedly have helped: improves mood & happiness, improves self-esteem, and lowers levels of stress potentially. Like anything though, it is most effective if you do it consistently and long-term. Best of all, it is free, easy and takes no time! I have not tried the technique but have always been curious.

When I saw this book and noticed it was a journal for children. I wanted to see what the format looked like and loved the idea of installing the basic principles of gratitude at a young age, but in a light organic way. The book is designed brilliantly for young children who are just starting to read and write or slightly older. It has minimal illustrations, but they are meant to make it seem more enjoyable and, in my opinion, they do not appear as if they would be a distraction from the objective of the journal.

*Thank you Zeitgeist (Z Kids) via NetGalley for the digital review copy!

Date Published:
12.17.2019
Date Request Granted:
06.02.2020
Date Feedback Posted:
06.02.2020

[Julia Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I printed this out and my 6 year old has been using it for about 2 weeks. I figured that during a global pandemic when his whole world is turned upside down was the perfect time to teach him about gratitude. The prompts in this are perfect for his age and older to understand. I will be picking this one up on pub day so that we don't have to keep stapling it together. Thank you NetGalley for this eARC of this great little lesson in gratitude for children.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Journaling is a hot topic these days, particularly among adults. I remember doing a lot of journaling when I was a kid, so I am happy to see some journals coming out that are geared toward the younger generation. And I am particularly fond of the idea of teaching kids to find something to be grateful for every single day. This journal is simple, requiring the child to basically write one sentence about something for which they are grateful every day and why. And then for those who love to draw, there is a drawing space included on each page. If the child is more verbal, (s)he can continue to write in that space. They are also encouraged to decorate their journal in any way that they feel expresses their daily gratitude. And then there are pages that are more specific, including friends, families, and more in their daily lives. I like that you get some extra prompts, because even for adults, some days it can be hard to think of something. It's a great starting point for the new, young journaling kid.

Thank you to the publisher for fulfilling my review request via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Jamie Bee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Boring and Basic

Because gratitude journaling is so popular these days, I have actually reviewed a few of them for children. Unfortunately, this seems to be the most boring of the ones I've seen. The pages are very plain. Each daily journal page simply asks the child what they are grateful for and why (the top section) and gives them a space to draw or write about what they are grateful for. That's it. There's no sort of illustration or interesting fonts to make these pages eye-catching for children. The basic journal page never changes; they aren’t asked more creative questions about what they’re grateful for. Every 10 pages or so there's a bonus page that asks a specific question about gratitude, like who in your family you are grateful for or which animals you are grateful for. I honestly think this would not capture a child's attention or hold it for long like the other ones I've seen that were illustrated and changed up what they would ask the child each day.

I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.

[J. d'Merricksson · Rating 3 out of 5]

My First Gratitude Journal is an adorable way to teach children the power and value of gratitude. There is a space a day for a year. Each day has a prompt and space for writing and drawing. Every ten days, there are more in-depth prompts. It's a fairly simple, basic journal. Great as a first teaching tool. Recommended!

***Many thanks to the Netgalley & Zeitgeist for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Anca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every night, before going to sleep, I ask the children what they enjoyed most about their day. As they cannot write yet, we keep this mental journal at the moment. But when they are able to transpose their words on the paper, we will use this Gratitude Journal for it. I find it very inspirational for young writers, with the nice hints about senses, family, or friends spread throughout it.
Thank you to Net Galley and Zeitgeist for providing me with an e-book copy in exchange for my honest review!

[Amber Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

My First Gratitude Journal is an excellent way to get children started early in the practice of being grateful each and every day. Even when days are hard or dark, we can find things to be thankful for. I loved the simplicity and engaging illustrations. I immediately ordered a few to give as gifts!

[Regina Chari · Rating 4 out of 5]

This gratitude journal is pretty much what you want in a gratitude journal for kids. It is simple, has cute images as offers a daily prompt. A few pages give individual, specific prompts throughout the journal.

I would recommend this journal for anyone trying to help a child learn how to express gratitude which has so many benefits, better to start the habit at a young age!

The publisher provided an ARC through Netgalley. I have voluntarily read this book for review, giving my honest personal opinions and thoughts

[Rebeca Núñez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for provide me with a digital copy in exchange for my honest review.
Muy entretenido para explorar la creatividad, mas en estos tiempos de pandemia. Recomendado, para los que buscan una actividad creativa de este tipo para relajarse en estos tiempos de estrés y locura. Porque siempre hay cosas para agradecer, y poder tenerlas en primer plano es importante.

[Andréa]

Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.