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Grateful Jake

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A little book filled with big gratitude! Jake had a scary time on the streets after getting out of the yard as a puppy. Once he was rescued from the Humane Society he promised to always be grateful for as many things as possible in his life. Let Jake show you the way to being happier and more fulfilled in life by seeing all the many things for which he is grateful...and maybe you can find a few along the way as well!

35 pages, Paperback

First published February 3, 2022

1 person is currently reading
2788 people want to read

About the author

Chris Hardy

4 books53 followers
Chris Hardy, a native of California, decided to finally pursue her long-time dream of writing books that touch the hearts of children and adults alike. "Jake and the Pandemic" was her first book and it was inspired by her nieces' experiences during the pandemic as well as the adorable dog, Jake, who she adopted after the passing of her neighbor. She went on to write three more books in 2021 ("Jake and the Purple Unicorn," "Jake and the Biggest Yawn Ever" and "Grateful Jake") and she is working on 3 more for 2022.

Her writing goals are to create engaging stories filled with humor, life lessons and education to not only help children but also to help them thoroughly enjoy their book reading experience.

When she isn't engaged in her creative outlet of writing, she runs her business that she has owned since 2002 selling natural products. In her spare time, she enjoys going on walks with Jake, playing tennis with her 80-year-old mom, hiking, watching movies, riding bikes at the beach, vacationing anywhere, spending time with family and being grateful for all the good that is in her life.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
Profile Image for Heather Adores Books.
1,621 reviews1,907 followers
February 14, 2023
This adorable book is currently free on Amazon. Reviews over there are super helpful for authors 😊

5 I'm grateful to have read this book
I am always there for books about dogs and especially if they are about dogs that have been rescued.

Told by Jake who was lost as a puppy and gets taken to the Humane Society. He is so grateful when he finally gets adopted and shares with us everything he is grateful for.

This is a delightful little book for young and older children (maybe even some adults too) because at any age we might need a reminder to be grateful for all we have in life. See Jake is not grateful for material things, it's the little things that make a big impact for him. Things that some might take for granted, such as the ability to hear and walk, clean water and kindness. There's always someone less fortunate than you, so we shouldn't take things for granted.

There are so many things I absolutely loved about this book!
Most noted are:
~the nod to service dogs
~how maybe sometimes we aren't grateful for smell 🤣
~the address given to be able to write to Jake
~that Jake is a real dog and this is his real story
~that he has a company, Jake's World, that donates proceeds to well deserving charities.
~the all around message this story tells

The illustration done by Wally_LL (Osipova V) really brought the story to life.

*Thanks to BooksGoSocial, Chris Hardy and NetGalley for the ARC. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*

Follow me here ➡ Blog ~ Facebook
Profile Image for Srivalli (Semi-Hiatus).
Author 22 books746 followers
August 12, 2022
4.5 Stars

This is a heartwarming book about Jake, a little doggy, who is grateful for the things in his life. The book is about how we have so much to be thankful for and should learn to appreciate the little things in life. Our senses, nature, water, wind, food, home, friends, etc., are something to cherish rather than take for granted.

The book helps kids (and adults) look at themselves and their surroundings in a fresh light. The illustrations are adorable. Each page has Jake and his other animal friends enjoying the things they are grateful for. There’s a bit of humor at places to prevent the book from being preachy.

Jake got lost when he was just one year old. Someone found him on the streets and took him to the Humane Society. A part of the proceeds from the book will be donated to the society and other rescue shelter homes.

To Summarize, Grateful Jake is a lovely book with a gentle reminder to slow down and look around. To quote Jake, we can always find something for which to be grateful.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and BooksGoSocial and am voluntarily leaving a review.

#NetGalley #GratefulJake
Profile Image for Kellie O'Connor.
414 reviews207 followers
February 20, 2023
A truly adorable story of a dog named Jake🐕🐾🐾who wondered away from his home when he was a year old. He was rescued by The Humane Society and was soon adopted by a loving family!!

The pictures are beautifully illustrated and little ones can easily read along with their parents 📖. Jake lists everything little thing that he's grateful for and reminds us to be grateful for everything we have as well♥️

This book is based on a true story of a dog named Jake!! I got this book from Bookbub for free awhile ago, and if it's still available, I recommend that you get it!! Very cleverly written and I highly recommend this beautiful,sweet book!! Happy Reading and Enjoy!! 🐾🐾😃
Profile Image for Natalie  all_books_great_and_small .
3,191 reviews174 followers
August 8, 2022
I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

Grateful Jake is a sweet picture book for children introducing them to gratitude. Jane the dog got lost from his home but luckily got adopted. In the book he shows the reader everything he is grateful for such as water, being able to pick, being able to read, friends etc and he tries to think of at least one thing he is grateful for each day. This is such a great book to focus children's minds on instead of what they want, what they already have and how to be thankful and have gratitude.
I love the concept of this book and the illustrations are cute and fun! I loved the Gorilla as a security guard!
Profile Image for Bandita.
590 reviews96 followers
August 4, 2022
This is about a dog named Jake who escaped from his old home and got lost. He felt very hungry and scared but luckily someone found him and took him to the Humane Society. There he was taken care of and he was eventually adopted again. After this experience he felt very grateful for all the things that matters like playing, smelling, food, friends etc.

I think this is an very important books for young children to read that will teach them to be grateful for all the things they have. Plus, the illustrations were really adorable. I really loved this book. Highly recommend this one!
Profile Image for Reading_ Tamishly.
5,323 reviews3,516 followers
August 2, 2022
Thank you, BooksGoSocial, for the advance reading copy.

I would say the highlight of this picture storybook is the graphics. I just love it. And I want to add that the content is more beautiful than what I had expected from the cover.

It's the story of a stray dog who is so grateful to have a home.

Love it.
Profile Image for Melany.
1,299 reviews153 followers
December 4, 2022
I won this from a Goodreads giveaway. My son absolutely loved it! The illustrations are so cute and on point, kept my son engaged and just an adorable book overall.
Profile Image for Winter.
493 reviews72 followers
November 24, 2022
SO ADORABLE FOR CHILDREN!! ❤️

My Grandchildren absolutely loved hearing about Jake.

This is a fantastic way to teach children to be grateful for their surroundings, and the things God has blessed them with.

Chris Hardy did an excellent job with this book.

Kudos!! ❤️

Profile Image for Kathy Heare Watts.
7,009 reviews175 followers
February 3, 2022
WHAT ARE YOU GRATEFUL FOR?

I am a 63 year old, grandmother to ten and great-grandmother to one. I love children's books that are delightful while teaching too. This book, Grateful Jake, is the perfect book to read with children.

I laughed out loud, and I sighed reading this precious story of Jake, a dog, who is grateful. But the story isn't just about Jake, it is about lots of animals and various scenarios. The story is beautifully illustrated and would be a fantastic addition to any child's library.

"To everyone who needs a little reminder that you can always find something for which to be grateful."

The story begins with a year-old dog, Jake, who get out of his yard and then is lost--on the street, in the dark and cold. But someone is kind, finds Jake and takes him to the Humane Society where they care for him until he is adopted in a loving home.

The things in the story that Jake and his many animal friends are grateful for: I can Play; I can Read; I can Pick: I have Food; I can Smell; for Water; I can Walk; I can Sleep; for Hugs; for Wind; for Kindness; I can Hear; I can Think; for Friends.
Profile Image for Carla.
7,727 reviews177 followers
December 22, 2022
I have been trying very hard to live a grateful life and to show my grandchildren the same. This little book works well with young children. Jake is a cute, white sheepdog who got lost and spent time living on the street. When he was found and taken to the Humane Society, he began to live a much safer and happier life. He got adopted by a lovely woman in this new life, he was able to see all the things he was grateful for. They were things like being able to read, to play, to choose, etc. All things that we take for granted, but are important and not everyone has those freedoms and abilities. We talked a lot about things we were grateful for and made a huge list of things. The illustrations are cute and each page of gratitude includes illustrations and examples. If you look carefully, you will also see some humorous things happening (check out the page where Jake is grateful for being able to pick or choose). This is a great little book to read with young children to get them to realize all the things they should and could be grateful for.
697 reviews9 followers
June 6, 2022
I received this book from a Goodreads giveaway. Thanks to the author and Goodreads for giving me the opportunity to provide a review. This was a sweet story told from the dog’s perspective with beautiful illustrations. I really love how each two page spread showing what the dog is grateful for comes with multiple illustrations to expand the storytelling into a real discussion with the child. I know who I’m sharing this book with and I think he will love it and brother too when he gets a bit older!
6,295 reviews81 followers
March 31, 2022
I won this book in a goodreads drawing.

A dog gets lost out on the streets, but eventually gets found. Doing without makes the dog aware of all he has to be grateful for, and gives some examples.

Not bad for little kids. The illustrations were top notch.
Profile Image for MediaMadame.
121 reviews2 followers
February 9, 2022
Cute children's book

Cute little book about being grateful a great way for children to learn about the things they do have and appreciate them
Profile Image for Alex Corradine.
30 reviews1 follower
August 18, 2022
Such a cute little story. Children will enjoy looking at the different pictures and examples of things that Jake is grateful for. They will love discussing what the different animals are doing and may be inspired to draw their own version of this book with what they are grateful for. Lovely!
Profile Image for Kristine L..
661 reviews50 followers
March 24, 2025
“This way to major gratitude!” barks a sweet shaggy puppy in this charming and beautifully illustrated story. Jake the dog shows young readers how to do just that in this sweet picture book.

Adopted by a nice lady via the Humane Society after he was found lost and wandering the streets, Jake is now so grateful, he’s barking for joy! Young readers soon join the effervescent pup on a journey of gratitude.

We soon find that Jake is now so grateful he can play. Read. Give and receive kindness. Hear. He’s grateful he has food and water and hugs. He’s grateful he can smell – especially the vase full of yellow sunflowers at the kitchen table. Much more in this charming picture book.

Indeed, "Grateful Jake" is a choice example of what a picture book should be. As in: bright and eye-catching illustrations with minimal text. Each “grateful” concept is introduced in bold black print on the left side of the page with the words “I am so grateful…” The rest of the page contains multiple illustrations that visually convey the topic or concept. For example, “I am so grateful for FRIENDS” is lavishly illustrated with Jake hanging out with a unicorn, skunk, cat, and a helpful little squirrel.

Thus, Gratefulness concepts are introduced and described while allowing young readers to make the connections between words and visuals on their own. Children are thus encouraged to be mindful about cultivating and practicing gratefulness in their daily lives. Additionally, the skillful combination of text and illustrations his is an excellent example of “show, don’t tell.”

Speaking of which, I love the visual of the “Gratefulness Tree” on the first page. It includes a “This book belongs to” line and urges readers to list “Three things I am grateful for.” Space is provided to do so. Ditto the way the shaggy white pup speaks directly to young readers. Looking directly out of the page, Jake involves the reader(s) with hints and teasers such as “This way to major gratitude!”

This is a clever and eye-catching book with an important message for both children and adults. Grab your copy today! You'll be grateful you did!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for NBPB Reviews.
303 reviews43 followers
March 15, 2023
Jake, a rescued dog, recollects his experience of missing from his family and living on the street. Finally, the Humane Society found him and took good care. Later, they gave him away for adoption to a loving family. Since then, Jake has been very grateful for everything: his hobbies, food, actions, and ideas.
bookpage
We picked this book for its title. Grateful Jake talks about Jake, the dog’s real-life experiences, and how he is thankful for everything he has. The book combines simple text with some funny elements. The illustrations work well for the storyline.

Grateful Jake by Chris Hardy is an easy-to-read book that will nudge children and adults to be more thankful for everything they have.
Read the full review at Nothing But Picture Books
Profile Image for Sooz Hutch.
165 reviews
February 5, 2022
This was such a great story of a rescue dog and how he is now grateful for everything after having spent time alone, scared and hungry. The pictures are beautiful and my ten year old daughter loved how each picture was focused on the animals doing things you would normally see humans doing. My seven year old loved reading the story to us because of the repetition of the words. We loved the message about being grateful every day and talked about what we were grateful for after reading it. The only thing that made me sad was that Jake was never reunited with the first family he left the yard of.
Profile Image for Belle.
816 reviews9 followers
April 22, 2023
3.75 stars

I love dogs 🐶 The cover of this book really drew me in. It's stunning and simple. The illustrations inside were very clever and funny but they made the pages a bit busy.

Though, I'm sure the target audience wouldn't be so bothered by this, I'm not sure how I feel about the mixture of both doggie and human behaviours. Sometimes he was just a normal, lovely dog doing doggie things, which I love.. Then other times he's reading a book on the beach or contemplating the universe 😂

Overall a very cute book with a good message about gratitude.

*Free e-arc received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
1,508 reviews6 followers
March 26, 2022
I rounded up the rating to reward the positivity of this book...it has a great message...comes through the colorful realistic artwork showing fun insightful details. It offers a fun opportunity to read & discuss some of the fun things seen in the drawings. It'd be a fun book to share with little ones! The author has a good thing going with this little Jake character! Definitely a nice book to have in your library, personal or public!
I won this e-book in a Goodreads First Read Giveaway listed by the author, in exchange for reading it & posting my own fair/honest review.
Profile Image for Jessica Gard.
261 reviews6 followers
August 10, 2022
I enjoyed the premise of Grateful Jake by Chris Hardy, a story of a dog who finds truth in the ol' adage that the best things in life are free. From appreciating physical abilities, so the simple ability to think, Jake has found many reasons to be grateful.

While I did enjoy the story, the illustrations by Wally_LL, while fun and eclectic fell a bit short for me. It seemed as if some of the many characters throughout were not as well detailed within the same scene, and it came across as unfinished vs. giving texture. A bit of quantity over quality issue there for me personally.
Profile Image for Angie.
1,128 reviews17 followers
October 2, 2022
This sweet picture book is a perfect opportunity to teach young children about gratitude. When Jake gets adopted he shares all of the things he is grateful for in his new, loving home. Jake tries to think of one thing he is grateful for each day, a great strategy young readers could use daily too. I would definitely recommend this book to parents and teachers wanting to teach about thankfulness and giving to others. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book!
533 reviews17 followers
November 26, 2022
Jake is adorable! This book helps enable discussions with children around caring and sharing. I think the author and illustrator both did great work with their text and illustrations. The one thing that kept me from rating it with five stars is that I have the kindle version and it’s not possible for my grandchild to include the list of items they are grateful for in the kindle addition which is possible with a hand cover, so I definitely would recommend the kindle version be modified slightly to remove those sections.
Profile Image for Rachel Tibbitts.
44 reviews1 follower
May 2, 2022
*I won this book through GoodReads Giveaway*

I have won several books through GoodReads Giveaways and this by far was the most beautiful packaged gift! It not only came carefully wrapped in bubble wrap in a pretty blue bag, but it also contained a hand written, personalized congratulations note. It's a great kids book learning about all the things to be grateful for...my grandson is only 16 months but we read it regularly and he loves the pictures!
Profile Image for Carol Farrington.
466 reviews7 followers
July 29, 2022
When I first opened the book I was saddened because the first story page has a lot of writing on it and would be too much to read to young children. The next page alleviated that. I think if reading this to young children the first page could be looked at and talked about with the rest of the book actually read. I appreciated the story and the illustrations are wonderful. I think this is a wonderful book overall.
Profile Image for Jenna Lee.
41 reviews
August 2, 2022
There was nothing to hate about this book. I love that the main lesson is to teach children to be grateful. The pictures were very colorful. I liked that all of the examples show jake doing activities in a human like manner. Finding out that the book is based on a dog in real life that was adopted made everything better.


Thank you to the author and publisher for letting me read this book. Opinions were my own.
499 reviews6 followers
January 21, 2023
This is such a wonderful book for children with an important life lesson shared by a sweet and lovable dog named Jake.
Young children will enjoy the fun illustrations. Each page reminds them of things to be grateful for such as play, read, food, smell, water and sleep.
I did like that differently abled people and veterans were included. Showing children to be grateful for non materialistic things is emphasized.
Parents and grandparents will enjoy this story to read aloud to young children.
We all will be reminded to have an attitude of gratitude.
463 reviews
January 18, 2024
Attention kids

This is a great book for kids of all ages, especially some that need reminders. The artwork is super cute too.
This may have some things that kids don't think of to be grateful for. Having such a cute fur baby will definitely keep their attention. This would be great for a Thanksgiving project also. A child could pick a favorite(s) and draw a picture, make a craft item or write a poem.
227 reviews29 followers
February 28, 2022
Loved this book that reminds us all to be grateful-for everything. I read this book to my 3 son's who absolutely fell in love with Jake who got lost and ended up at the Humane Society. We all need to remember that nothing is promised our guaranteed to us & to appreciate all that you have!

Thank you to the publisher Jake's World for the gifted copy.
Profile Image for Victoria.
41 reviews2 followers
March 28, 2022
Cute read for new readers. Great story for kids to read about being grateful, and then follow up with them to talk about things that they are also grateful for as well. Wonderful vibrant illustrations on every page with little bonus reading finds.

The book gifted by the author in a Goodreads giveaway.
Profile Image for Sharon.
860 reviews15 followers
July 2, 2022
Cute little book for young children as well as adults . The examples given of things for which we should be grateful have for many become a given, sadly for others they remain a wish and a dream.
4 stars

My thanks to goodreads and the book’s giveaway sponsors for the opportunity to obtain and read a copy of this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews

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