Thank You for the Little Things

by Caryl Hart, Emily Hamilton (Illustrations)

Teach your little ones to soothe their worries and practice gratitude every day in this gorgeous, uplifting picture book that encourages mindfulness.

Whenever I am feeling sad
or life feels hard or wrong or bad,
I focus for a little while
on little things that make me smile . . .

What are the things that make YOU feel happy? From swinging high on playground swings to licking melting ice cream, there are lots of small things that can cheer up a grey day.

This reassuring, uplifting picture book celebrates the little things that bring us joy and happiness. We all have bad days and sad days, but sometimes it's the smallest things that make us smile!

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Storytime, Thanksgiving, Emotion

32 pages, Hardcover

Published October 4, 2022

About the author

Caryl Hart is an award-winning children’s author who writes picture books and young fiction.

She lives in Sheffield, England with her family and loves running, walking, cafes and snuggling. Her favourite place is the library because it's warm and full of books.

Caryl runs creative literacy workshops in schools, libraries and for festivals. Find out more on her website: www.carylhart.com

Reviews

[Becca]

Darling endpaper, clever, thoughtful text, and a good message about focusing on free tiny delights.

I think this is a cute and accessible way to introduce mindfulness and gratitude to little ones. The only thing I’m a little iffy on is, I wish there was less focus on “if you’re sad, look at this dog,” instead of making it clear that sometimes we feel sad, and that’s okay (or, alternatively and preferably, making it clear that you don’t have to be thankful for little things only to cheer yourself up).

[Donna]

Very, very sweet book. A good one for discussing gratitude and an introduction to mindfulness.

[Vania]

3.5/★★★★★

[Chloe Ritchie]

• Rated 3.5 stars

• Beautiful and meaningful message

• Nice illustrations

[Lisa]

Thank You for the Little Things is a delightful little book which radiates warmth and love. I always wonder what pressure an established author must feel when they release a new title. However, when it comes to Caryl it really feels like there is no end to her talent and versatility.

It's funny that this is a book that resonates so much with me. If I am ever feeling overwhelmed with situations in life I find it grounding and soothing to be able to look around me and appreciate the little wonders in our world. It's something I learnt from my Nan who was never into the grand, it was always the little things that mattered to her. Thank You for the Little Things feels like my Nan's story.

The main character goes through the day finding the small wonders that make her smile if she's feeling blue. I think this is such a wonderful way to explore ways that children can help themselves to regulate their emotions. To me it's a very 'mindful' way of thinking in a practical way that we can all understand.

I would certainly couple it with good communication for children to be able to talk about how they feel and be able to discuss any issues that they may be facing.

I really love the fact that the main character isn't assigned a gender and it can be left up to interpretation. I love everything about the illustrations and my daughter was really drawn to them and enjoyed spotting lots of different elements on each spread.

[Jade]

Thank You for the Little Things is a beautiful story about a little girl who likes to think of all she can be thankful for when she's feeling down or sad.

This is a such a lovely story that is great to remind the children (and adults!) that there's so much to be thankful for. It's heartwarming to see the girl find joy and gratitude in so many things from the little and more boring things like toothpaste to more exciting sights like stars. The children particularly liked the ice cream page, I think they probably wanted one too!

The illustrations are very pretty and I love the way the colours are used to show the girls world getting brighter as she cheers up and finds so much to be thankful for. The children enjoyed seeing all of the things she had to be thankful for and it made them think about what they're thankful for.

This is a lovely story that is perfect to remind everyone that we have so much to be thankful for and is great to show thankfulness can get you thinking positively even when times are challenging. This is a fantastic story that we really enjoyed reading.

[Lyra Evans]

This book is lovely with a meaningful message about appreciating the little things in life

‘Thank you for the little things’ is a beautiful story about a little girl who likes to think of all the things that she can be thankful for when she is feeling low or sad.
It is a great reminder to children and adults that there is so much to be a thankful for. It is truly heartwarming to read a story where a character is finding such joy in the small things in life and finding gratitude for everything; from a ladybug walking across your hand, an ice-cream dribble chin, the hug from your favourite teddy and looking at the stars.
The book is simple and well-rhymed. The illustrations are lovely and the characters are diverse.


It is a great topic for discussion with little ones to remind them that sometimes there can be moments in life where things don’t always go the way we want and yet we can find beauty around us, think of things to be grateful for and try to be mindful and present. Which in turn will help to build a child’s self-regulation skills.

[Theediscerning]

A very pleasant, and well-rhymed, look at how it's the simple things in life that can make us smile. And you don't get much littler than ladybird feet trampling across our hands, but it's the common things that are more likely to turn our frowns upside down – a dog going bonkers, the post-ice cream dribbly chin, the hug of a favourite teddy bear. I seldom give five stars, if you've not noticed, but this merits them, for going above and beyond – not only is it a reminder to be mindful of how joy can come for free (a daisy's fried-egg colouring, etc) but it also manages to provide the necessary lulling of a lullaby book. Whatever has turned the reader's mood to the worse, this calming, tucking-up-beloved-in-bed quality didn't have to be there for this to be a success. But here it is anyway, in amongst the snappy yet poetic short script, and the very pleasant illustrations. Leaving me surprised by a picture book – that might or might not be a small thing, but it made me happy.

[The Library Mouse Tales]

I enjoyed sharing this book with my little brother who is three years old. He loves picture books and this includes colourful illustrations of lots of the things that he likes – ladybirds, dogs, cuddles and stories! It is written in simple rhyming text that is great to read out loud and has lots of bright, colourful scenes to look at and enjoy.

The little girl in the book is talking about her feelings and what she does when she is feeling unhappy. You join her on a walk as she shares all the little parts of her day that make her feel happy and special – playing with her dog, enjoying favourite foods, snuggling with her blanket and listening to a bedtime story.

The book is a good way to talk about feelings with little children. It shows them that it is normal for people to feel sad sometimes but that if you think about the things that you enjoy – then you find find lots of reasons to smile.

[Tori]

Thank you to the Publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 3.75/5

I would like to preface this by stating this is my opinion on what I believe children will like to read, I will read it again with my nieces and nephews and can update this if needed - however I believe that the bright and colourful illustrations and short, rhyming phrases will be enjoyed by children.

My main worry, is that they might not want to talk about the things that are making them anxious, if they try to solely think about other things that should make them happier.. however if this book is paired with a loving home and a parent/care taker / siblings / home dynamic of any kind, I believe that they will learn that they can talk about those things as well as focusing on the little things that make the rubbish days better.

This was a lovely, picture book.

[Jessica]

I liked the illustrations and the idea of being grateful, but there were two main things I did not like about this book. The first was that the child was thankful for the little things, but not to God who creates the little things and gives us our blessings. The second thing I didn't like was that the idea of being grateful will always help you feel better. For me as someone who struggled severely with mental illness, I tried to be grateful and then beat myself up when I was still super anxious. But my anxiety and depression were illnesses, and being grateful doesn't mean you can't get sick. In my case, my sickness made me really unhappy regardless of how grateful I was for all my blessings. I don't think being grateful should be posed as interrelated to your mood.

[Penelope]

"Whenever I am feeling sad or life feels hard or wrong or bad, I focus for a little while on little things that make me smile."

Thank you for NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book.

I love reading children's books, as I find they have a lot of wisdom in them. Thank You for the Little Things is a book that teaches children gratitude and positive focus in a simple and uplifting way. This book is lovely and the rhymes are simple and sweet. In a way this is like a little introduction to mindfulness.

All in all, a lovely little book.

[Kayla Worley]

Teach your little ones to soothe their worries and practice gratitude every day in this gorgeous, uplifting picture book that encourages mindfulness. This reassuring, uplifting picture book celebrates the little things that bring us joy and happiness. We all have bad days and sad days, but sometimes it's the smallest things that make us smile! I selected this book because this will teach students what to do if they feel sad and also wnat to incorporate some deep breathing and relaxing music for them to let them gather there thoughts.

[Jared White]

Hurrah for noticing and appreciating the little things! I like how this child notices so many seemingly simple things and also thanks each of those things. I enjoyed how telling about those things to their teddy bear that night is what helped them get to sleep. The illustrations are not the most complex or beautiful in the world but they have a simple softness that matches the text well. I also like that the parents are an interracial couple.

[Jessica]

Fantastic illustrated children's book about looking for the little things that make you smile when your emotions are taking over your day and/or mood.

Love the themes of soothing yourself, gratitude and uplifting attitude throughout this beautiful book. I cant wait to read it again with my daughter.

Well done.

[Amy]

I was really touched by this sweet book with a powerful message for adults and children alike. Through gentle, rhyming text and cute illustrations, it teaches the life-changing practice of being grateful and how it alters not only our mood but our whole outlook on things. A simple book that packs a powerful punch!

[The Library Lady]

Purposeful, but not Berenstain Bears like, and far better than most of the affirmation book crap we're drowning in these days. This is pitched on a child's level, it reads smoothly, and the art is sweet and charming. Being thankful books are especially popular around the fall holidays, and this is a good one in that genre.

[Sara Inês]

This is such a lovely book, with a beautiful and important message. I bought it for myself to remind me that I, sometimes, need to stop and just look around... We are living in quite difficult times nowadays, so every single reminder that life can be beautiful, no matter how small, is important. Also, the illustrations are adorable!

[Auro Books]

This book is very cute! Makes you think twice about the little things that make a big difference in our day to day.

More often than not we go by rushing without realising that what makes us happy it's just around us!

[Barbara Band]

Excellent book to share with young children who are anxious, scared, have low self-confidence, etc. Would be good to use to start discussions about feelings, and how to focus on small things that make you happy. Illustrations have little details to spot and the characters are diverse.

[Pam]

I received an electronic ARC from Bloomsbury Children's Books through SLJ Day of Dialogue.
Rhyming text captures this child's look at everything to celebrate and be thankful for. The softly focused illustrations enhance the small joys.

[Roben]

This rhyming book encourages an attitude of gratitude! Be thankful for the little things and don't forget to look forward to them! Little doesn't mean unimportant. What a great way to end the day - being thankful for all the wonderful little things that happened during the day.

[Kathleen]

Seeing the world of Thank Yous from a child is always delightful. So many little things...that do matter. Thank you for playgrounds, mud puddles and ladybugs. This book is not a prayer book, but could easily be turned into one. Perhaps all adults should take a peek also.

[Emily]

A model for creating a gratitude practice. I'm not sure how I feel about trying to replace sad feelings - I think they shouldn't be pushed aside but felt through. But gratitude as an everyday practice is something many, young and old, would benefit from.

[Lara Bate]

A book about learning to be grateful for the little things in life.

[Alice]

I received an advanced reader's copy of this book to review

4 stars for this small affirmations and gentle illustrations that model an attitude of gratitude

[Bookworm]

A book told in rhyming verse about being grateful for the little things in life, such as playground swings, yummy noodles and a milky bedtime drink. I love it.

[Beth Jones]

Nice book about appreciation, thankfulness and to look for little things around you that make the world special, magical.

[Zan Porter]

A child tries to keep a positive attitude by being mindful and practicting gratitude.

[Laura]

A great message for any age 🧸