10 Picture Books to Help Teach Kids About Being Brave
by Charnaie Gordon
As a parent, I’m always mindful to set good examples for my kids, while also teaching them valuable life lessons that will benefit them as adults. Like all parents and caregivers, I want my children to grow up and lead successful lives. Of course, there are countless things that lead to success and happiness, but I believe one of the most powerful is courage.
During the average person’s lifetime, they’ll experience successes, failures, rejections, and many unexpected turns. That’s why I think it’s important to instill courage in children from a young age and continuously expose them to safe opportunities where they can practice being brave in real-life scenarios.
Below, I’ve rounded up a list of picture books to help facilitate conversations about bravery and courage. These stories help kids understand that they’re strong, they can cope, and they’re not as fragile and small as they might sometimes feel.
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The Day You Begin
Available from:The inimitable Jacqueline Woodson has gifted us with a powerful, poetic picture book to share with children while talking about bravery and acceptance. It’s a great read-aloud for classroom settings to discuss empathy and appreciating the unique experiences, qualities, and cultures of others.
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Tomorrow I’ll Be Brave
Available from:This book teaches kids that bravery isn’t about being fearless. It’s about something magical that happens inside of us to push through our fear, self-doubt, and anxiety and do the things that feel hard or frightening. Sometimes, being brave only has to happen for seconds at a time — just long enough to be just brave enough.
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The Pink Hat
Available from:Written in a gentle and age-appropriate tone for 4 to 8-year-olds, this book is a great springboard for discussion about topics like diverse communities, activism, and women’s equality. The Pink Hat symbolizes solidarity and change and is a reminder to readers that they’re never too young to start shaping the future they want.
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Come With Me
Available from:Come With Me subtly addresses fears children may have about hatred and violence occurring in the world today. A helpful resource for tragic events you’re unsure how to explain, this book also shows kids they can make a difference and be brave no matter how small they are.
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Bold & Brave
Available from:An inspiring picture book, Bold & Brave features the extraordinary stories of ten suffragettes, including Harriet Tubman, Susan B. Anthony, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Each of the women profiled had to be courageous, and they took great risks by speaking up and demanding voting rights for women in America.
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Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag
Available from:Share the true story of social activist Harvey Milk and designer Gilbert Baker, creators of the Gay Pride Rainbow Flag. With messages of courage, hope, and equality, this is a picture book for all ages that reminds us to love one another and take pride in our identities.
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Little Tree
Available from:Little Tree is afraid to let go of its leaves, so it remains small while all the other trees grow bigger each year. This is a heartwarming story with sparse text that echoes themes of letting go, fear of change, and the bravery of taking a leap of faith.
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Back of the Bus
Available from:A beautiful and historical retelling of the activism of Rosa Parks in Montgomery, Alabama, as seen through a child’s perspective. While the little boy finds the situation a bit scary, he also feels proud of the brave women like his mother and Mrs. Parks, and how they stood up to social injustice. It’s a wonderful read for teaching children about courage.
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Shy
Available from:Shy is an enchanting story about bravery and friendship. Through a rather reluctant narrator, it masterfully teaches children what can happen when they step outside of their comfort zone and muster up the strength to follow their heart.
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True Colors
Based on the 1986 hit song written by Bill Steinberg and Tom Kelly, True Colors encourages readers to be comfortable with who they are, despite the pressures of everyday life. It features gorgeous illustrations and comes neatly packaged with a blue-ribbon enclosure.
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