20 Picture Books About Courage, Bravery, and Facing Fears
I’m a big believer in bibliotherapy. Why? Because books about courage, bravery, and fear can show kids possibilities. They show characters facing fears and having courage. Picture books give young readers a glimpse into how others feel, react, and behave — whether they’re frightened or worried or trying to be brave. These life lessons can be translated to our kids’ lives. This includes facing fears and having courage even though you feel afraid.
Discuss what you and your children notice as you read aloud the stories. Reflection and discussion promote deeper learning and understanding.
I sincerely hope these books comfort, inspire, and entertain. Perhaps some will become touchstones for the future, wisdom to help them move through whatever they are facing, or metaphors you can use with them in challenging situations.
Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall
Jabari is ready to jump off the diving board. Mostly. His dad tells Jabari that he feels scared too, and sometimes after a deep breath and telling himself he is ready, the thing stops feeling scary and feels like a surprise instead. I like this advice, don’t you? And it works for Jabari, too. Beautiful illustrations, perfect text to picture ratio, and a helpful, relatable story make this a best picture book of 2017.
After the Fall: How Humpty Dumpty Got Back Up Again by Dan Santat
After his fall off the wall, Humpty Dumpty isn’t quite all together again because now he’s afraid of heights. Humpty decides to make a paper airplane that can fly high since he is too afraid to go high anymore. But the airplane he spends so much time crafting flies over the high wall. Even though he’s terrified, Humpty wants his airplane back. So he musters up his courage and climbs the wall. One step at a time. Until he’s not scared anymore. This beautifully illustrated and conceived picture book that shows kids fear is normal and courage is doing something even when you’re scared.
When You Are Brave by Pat Zietlow Miller, illustrated by Eliza Wheeler
What is being brave? “Brave is a bird that steps from its nest hoping to soar through the sky.” As the author shares what bravery looks and feels like, a little girl and her family leave their house with boxes and suitcases and travel in the car through the city and country to a new home. “Because once you find your courage, it’s easy to use again and again. The next time life seems scary or you start something new, you can remember when you were brave.”
Miss Hazeltine’s Home for Shy and Fearful Cats by Alicia Potter, illustrated by Birgitta Sif
Cat lovers will appreciate Miss Hazeltine’s love for these special cats who are afraid of everything. Miss Hazeltine opens her house to all shy cats and gently helps them learn about birds, climbing, noises, new friends, pouncing, and brooms. The illustrations are whimsical and charming; the story is wonderful — the cats face their fears in order to rescue their beloved Miss Hazeltine.
The Almost Fearless Hamilton SquidLegger by Timothy Basil Ering
If you like quirky and clever stories with lots of imaginary words, then this book about courage is for you. Hamilton Squidlegger is fearless in all things except bedtime. It will take some bravery and new monster friends and soon Hamilton will become totally fearless. Added to: Mentor Texts for Word Choice
Nana in the City by Lauren Castillo
The boy doesn’t like the city where Nana lives because it’s loud and scary. Until Nana gives him a fancy red cape that makes him feel very brave. And he and Nana walk through the city, discovering all that is wonderful about it. I loved the cape and how it helped the boy be brave. Wonderful!
I Will Fight Monsters for You by Santi Balmes, illustrated by Lyona
This clever parallel story of a young girl and a young monster who are both frightened to sleep because of the upside down world of monsters and humans beneath and above their beds. Luckily, dads will fight monsters for their kids and they give good advice: “the size of the monsters depends on how scared you are. If you feel very brave, the monster will shrink and run away” and “fear is elastic, like bubble gum. As you grow braver, fear shrinks smaller and smaller until it disappears.” Creative, reassuring, and heart-warming.
Necks Out for Adventure! by Timothy Basil Ering
Edwin wonders about his life staying hidden inside his shell. His mom tells him, “Necks out for adventure,” and before he knows it, he’s forced on an adventure that will show him the world and save his kidnapped family. I love the illustrations and the courage of the main character.
Out on a Limb by Jordan Morris, illustrated by Charlie Mylie
Healing a broken leg can require healing your spirit, too. In a cast, Lulu gets attention and enjoys the sympathy of others but then she feels bored and then fearful. When her cast is removed, Lulu feels scared to climb again or do things like she used to do. Arriving just when she’s ready, Lulu sees a letter from her grandpa stuck in a tree. Climbing to get it helps her find her bravery. It’s an emotional journey, realistic and important for readers.
What Do You Do With a Chance? by Kobi Yamada, illustrated by Mae Besom
You’ll love this abstract story about a very familiar and real situation — fear of failure. The author personifies the concept of a chance as a yellow origami butterfly. When the boy gets a chance, he feels unsure so the chance left. The next time the chance comes, he tries to grab it but misses. So, in his feelings of failure, he starts ignoring the chances that come his way. And the chances stop coming around anymore. The boy regrets his decision and hopes to find a chance again and prepares to be brave, even just for a moment. In fact, the boy is so brave, he goes looking for a chance. It’s a big one, but he’s ready to grab hold!
“I now see that when I hold back, I miss out. And I don’t want to miss out. There’s just so much I want to see and do and discover. // So what do you do with a chance? You take it . . . because it just might be the start of something incredible.“
Go to Sleep, Monster by Kevin Cornell
George can’t sleep because he’s scared of the monster under his bed. His sister, Anna, gives the monster a stern talking to and learns that gasp! the under-the-bed-monster is scared of the monster who lives under the floor who, in turn, is scared of the monster under the room who is scared of . . . well, you get the idea. The monsters and human kids learn that they can all be friends which helps everyone sleep.
NOPE! A Tale of First Flight by Drew Sheneman
For any kid who has been afraid to try something, this book about courage and fear shows in hilarious and sweet illustrations (with almost no text) the bird’s fear of flying out of the nest. Finally, his mama gives him a swift kick out much to his joyful exuberance.
Archie the Daredevil Penguin by Andy Rash
Archie uses his daredevil tricks to hide that he is terrified of the water and all the creatures lurking in the water. After being eaten by one of those scary creatures and spit up, Archie learns that most of the sea creatures are quite friendly and that swimming is really fun. I’m loving the illustrations– especially the color choices. Plus, it’s a nice lesson in how our fears can shift when we learn more about something.
Off & Away by Cale Atkinson
In a book about courage, Jo’s dad collects and delivers all the sea’s messages in bottles. Jo has never helped him do this because she’s worried about what lurks beneath the ocean. When her dad gets sick, Jo faces her fears in order to deliver the bottles. It’s scary. Until it’s not. Because the sea creatures are friendly and grateful to get their deliveries. The best part? The illustrations — what a gorgeous rainbow of ocean creatures!
I’m a Duck by Eve Bunting, illustrated by Will Hillenbrand
After a bumpy start when his egg fell into the pond, this duck fears the water. His brothers and friends tell him not to worry because ducks float. Little Duck takes Owl’s advice to use common sense and starts small — with a simple puddle which helps him to overcome his fear of water. While it’s not my favorite of Eve Bunting’s picture books, it’s still a solid read.
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