The following article was written by Kirsten Smith, a Youth Services Associate at the Manitowoc Public Library.
As the season of thankfulness approaches, Manitowoc Public Library is delighted to welcome back its preschool series, Big Emotions for Little People, with a special session focused on gratitude. Held on Tuesday, November 25, at 10:30 AM, this heartwarming program invites young children and their caregivers to explore the joy of appreciating everyday treasures through storytelling, music, and a thoughtful craft.
The theme comes to life with media from PBS Kids’ Carl the Collector, a gentle and insightful show featuring Carl, a neurodivergent raccoon who finds meaning in the objects he collects. Carl’s story offers a beautiful entry point for preschoolers to learn about emotional awareness, empathy, and the value of noticing the good in their lives. His unique perspective helps children understand that gratitude is not just saying “thank you.” It is about recognizing and cherishing the things, people, and moments that make us feel safe, happy, and loved.
Gratitude is more than a seasonal sentiment. It is a foundational emotional skill. Studies suggest that children who learn to express appreciation early in life tend to develop stronger emotional resilience and a more positive outlook as they grow.
The preschool years are especially important for building these habits, as young children are naturally attuned to fairness, kindness, and connection. When adults model thankfulness and create space for reflection, like noticing a friend’s help or celebrating a shared snack, kids begin to internalize these values in meaningful ways.
Programs like Big Emotions for Little People offer a developmentally appropriate space to nurture this growth. Through songs, movement, and hands-on activities, children will be encouraged to think about what makes them feel grateful.
Whether it is a favorite toy, a cozy blanket, or a hug from a loved one, these small moments become stepping stones toward deeper emotional literacy. The program also fosters social connection, helping children recognize gratitude in others and practice expressing it themselves.
As we prepare for Thanksgiving, this joyful gathering reminds us that gratitude is not reserved for grand gestures—it is woven into the everyday. Carl the Collector’s story teaches us that treasures come in many forms and that noticing them is a skill worth cultivating from the very start.
To continue the conversation at home, families can explore picture books that gently reinforce the theme of gratitude. These stories offer rich opportunities for reflection, connection, and cozy read-aloud moments:
- We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga, by Traci Sorell
- The Thank You Book, by Mo Willems
- Last Stop on Market Street, by Matt de la Peña
- Llama Llama Gives Thanks, by Anna Dewdney
- Thankful, by Eileen Spinelli
Preschool families are invited to join this celebration of thanks on Tuesday, November 25, at 10:30 AM in the Library’s Balkansky Community Room. No registration is required. Just bring your curiosity, your kindness, and your favorite little collector!