Five Faves: Picture Books About Resilience

Children are incredibly resilient for such small humans. We've seen them fall down and get back up countless times. But we've also seen then in the midst of profound struggles and want to help them grow their courage. Here are a few books about resilience that I love.

The Year We Learned to Fly
Written by Jacqueline Woodson
Illustrated by Rafael Lopez
New York: Nancy Paulsen Books, 2022. Picture Book.

A brother and sister learn how to use their imagination when their family is having a hard day. Their grandmother teaches them that their ancestors before them did the same thing when they faced years of oppression. The children learn to set themselves free by the way they think.

Gib-ber-ish
By Young Vo
Montclair: Levine Querido, 2022. Picture Book.

It's Dat's first day of school in a new country and everyone sounds like they're speaking gibberish. It makes him nervous and uncomfortable. But a girl in his class makes an effort to try and communicate with him in a different way. Dat learns that he's not alone in this new place.

Sometimes, All I Need is Me
By Juliana Perdomo
Somerville, Massachusetts: Candlewick Press, 2022. Picture Book.

This young girl loves her home, except at night when it's cold and scary. But she learns how to create her own light so she can feel calm. This girl talks about all the things she does to feel okay and they all start with her own self.

The Magical Yet
Written by Angela DiTerlizzi
Illustrated by Lorena Alvarez
New York: Disney-Hyperion, 2020. Picture Book.

There are a lot of things this girl can't do...yet! The Magical Yet will remind you that although something may be hard, that doesn't mean it's impossible. This book teaches children how to be optimistic and persevere.

Tilda Tries Again
By Tom Percival
New York: Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2022. Picture Book.

One day, Tilda's world turns upside down and she doesn't know what to do. She gets so sad that she doesn't want to do anything--it's all too hard. But Tilda decides she can do hard things.

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Painting for Peace in Ferguson

Painting for Peace in Ferguson By Carol Swartout Klein Treehouse Publishing Group, 2015. Nonfiction. When the city of Ferguson was overrun with so much hate and despair that homes and businesses had to be boarded up to protect property, citizens of the community decided to bring a message of hope by painting the boarded windows. Klein’s rhyming text supports the photographs of the hundreds of artists and volunteers and their artwork as they bring the messages of peace, hope, love, and that by being united they can make a difference. A great book to show children how a community rallied to make a positive change and that even a small gesture can make a huge difference. A great discussion opener on how we should treat each other.

Dragon Run

Dragon Run by Patrick Matthews Scholastic, 2013. 336 pgs. Fantasy Al Pilgrommor is excited for Testing Day, when he will receive his rank, a tattooed number on the back of his neck, and a path forward to his future occupation and life. He feels confident because his parents were fours on a scale of seven, but he is worried for his friend Wisp who doesn't have much of a chance of scoring above a two at best. But when Al is scored a zero, he not only has no prospects, he may lose his life as the dreaded Cullers are unleashed to kill him and his family to purify the land's bloodlines. Al's world is ruled by dragons--the lords and supposed creators of humankind--so he thinks that even if he survives, he will have to make his living as a beggar or thief. But when Al sticks up for his Earther friend in front of Magister Ludi, he is drawn into the struggle of a secret organization hoping to destroy the Cullers, and perhaps the dragons them...

From Story Time: Summer Week 5

Stories in the Park Mousterpiece: A Mouse-Sized Guide to Modern Art By Jane Breskin Zalben New York: Roaring Brook Press, 2012. Picture Book. Janson the mouse, who lives in a museum, becomes an acclaimed artist by copying the styles of paintings she sees there. Includes notes about the artists and works featured. --Editor Stories in the Park Gray Written by Laura Dockrill Illustrated by Lauren Child Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press, 2024. Picture Book. Some days you may feel sunshine yellow or orange-balloon bright. Other days you're gray, or even night-sky black-like a dark scribble on a page, a storm in the clouds, or a puddle in the road. Gray is when you don't feel like yourself, or like you don't belong. But however you feel, there are big hugs (red) and loving lullabies (blue) waiting, and even the grayest sidewalk is a canvas for you to fill with the colors you choose. A tender narration from British spoken-word poet Laura Dockrill and subtle, spare artwork from fo...

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