Description
New from Boys Town Press - Coming Spring 2027!
Told through the voice of young Eli, this tender, emotionally rich story explores themes of patience, perseverance, and gratitude.
Eli wishes he had a different life. One that doesn’t involve spending endless hours picking up slimy, grimy rocks with his grandma. After all, what’s the point? Who cares if a garden has rocks?
As Eli bends, kneels, and sweats in the soil, he watches his friends play and wonders why they don’t have to work as hard as he does. He can’t understand why the garden matters so much to Grandma Mae, or why she thinks all this time and effort is worth it.
But as the seasons change and the garden blossoms, Eli discovers that Grandma Mae has been growing more than fruits and vegetables. Through their shared work, she teaches him the value of patience, the importance of perseverance, and the joy that comes from seeing effort turn into rewarding results.
Ideal for classrooms, school counseling programs, libraries, family read-alouds, and Farm-to-School initiatives, this picture book supports social-emotional learning while encouraging meaningful conversations about gratitude and generosity.
Written for ages 4 to 10, The Gratitude Garden is more than one boy’s journey of self-discovery. It is a story of growth, gratitude, and love across generations.
Includes a special caregiver and educator page with practical strategies to help children learn to notice and appreciate the good in their lives even when things are not perfect.
Published by Boys Town Press
ISBN: 979-8-88907-062-7
Juvenile Fiction
Full Color Illustrations
31 pages
Softcover, 9"x9"
Grades PreK-5; Ages 4-10
