Developing Gratitude in Children and Adolescents

Published by Cambridge University Press and supported by the John Templeton Foundation, this academic collection edited by Jonathan Tudge and Lia Beatriz de Lucca Freitas is the first serious attempt to map how gratitude actually develops in children across cultures. The three-section structure is well-designed: philosophical foundations, cross-cultural research across seven societies, and practical guidance for parents and teachers. That third section is what makes it relevant beyond the university library — there is genuinely usable material here for educators and engaged parents. The framing of gratitude as a moral virtue rather than mere politeness aligns naturally with faith-based values. The honest caveat is that this is dense, scholarly reading that assumes familiarity with developmental psychology. General parenting audiences will struggle with it. Worth having if you work in education or research; otherwise a lighter introduction would serve better.