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Five Faves: Courage

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At the beginning of every school year (and throughout the year), I'm often called upon to give rousing speeches on resiliency and bravery to my children—School can be hard, but you can do hard things! Remember last year when you were so scared to try out for the school play, but you were brave and did it and loved it so much? Remember when you first started swimming lessons and you were terrified of the deep pool, but now you love to jump in the deep end?  And of course, lots of be brave, you can do it, don't give up, etc, etc, etc!  All of the books on this list illustrate the wonderful things that can happen when we take a deep breath, gird our loins, and step into the potentially scary!

Written by Carolyn Crimi
Illustrated by Shamar Knight-Justic
Somerville, MA: Canlewick Press, 2026. Picture book. 

Jayden is an observer. He notices everything, but most of all he notices rocks. Jayden has rocks for all sorts of activities—a Saturday rock, a homework rock, and wishing rocks galore. But now Jayden needs a super special rock, one that will help him be brave. You see, Jayden and his family have moved to a different house, where nothing is the same everything feels a little scary. Can he find the perfect rock to give him courage?

Songbird in the Light
Written by Billy Porter
Illustrated by Chris Clarkson
New York: Abrams Book for Young Readers, 2026. Picture book.

A young boy who loves to sing, wants to perform at the school talent show, but bullies already make fun of how he walks and how he talks. To find the courage to sing in front of everyone, he will have to brave the possibility of inviting more teasing. Can he do it? 

Hummingbird's Big Trip
By Brian G. Karas
New York: Random House Studio, 2026. Picture book. 

A little hummingbird is nervous about migrating South. What if he gets lost or can't find food or something worse? It's almost too scary to think about! Luckily, little hummingbird can do anything with the help of friends that reassure and encourage him to be brave!

Duckie & Snaps: We Cannot be Brave
Written by Ame Dyckman
Illustrated by Tim Miller
New York : Orchard Books, an imprint of Scholastic Inc, 2026. Picture book. 

When Duckie discovers a massive banana, she wants her friend, Snaps, to help her get it. But Snaps is an anxious crocodile and can imagine all sorts of dangers they might encounter while traveling through the jungle. Ignoring Snaps protests, Duckie manages to drag Snaps along on the adventure.  But when a spooky noise pushes them both past their bravery limit, will they fail their quest?

I Can Learn to be Brave
Written by Mariann Edgar Budde
Illustrated by Holly Hatam
New York, NY : Flamingo Books, 2026. Picture book.

A little girl who wants to be brave but mostly isn't is invited by a bold girl on an adventure. The courageous girl encourages her new friend to try scary things and helps her as she makes steps to be more brave.  The brave friend gives reassurance that being brave is a work in progress and you can always try again.



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