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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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