Picture Books About Courage

When a little girl feels anxious butterflies the day before a violin performance, her father encourages her to “have courage.” He shows her that courage is both the big, heroic feats–and the smaller choices made every single day. We loved this book because it acknowledges that courage is often an abstract concept and helps children recognize the smaller acts of courage that are often overlooked. 

Part of the Ninja Life Hacks book series, Brave Ninja offers kids practical tools to use to conquer their fears. Brave Ninja shares how he uses the B.R.A.V.E method to tackle difficult but relatable challenges, such as being afraid of the dark, separating from his parents, and learning to ride a bike. Brave Ninja teaches kids that even when he’s afraid, he can find courage through his breath, body, and voice. Accessible writing and vibrant illustrations make this book a perfect read aloud choice. 

This adorable story explores the fear of change and the meaning of bravery. A little bear and his family must leave their winter den, but it is the only home the cub has ever known. He wishes he could be like his sister, always up for new adventures. With his mother’s gentle encouragement, Arlo realizes that being brave when you’re scared is the bravest thing of all. This book is perfect for children who might compare themselves to a “braver” sibling or friend. 

In this follow up to the beloved bestseller The Kissing Hand, Chester the Racoon learns the meaning of bravery and a strategy to overcome his fears. Our family loved this book, and I still remind my kids of the message Mrs. Raccoon shares with Chester: that being brave doesn’t mean not being scared; it means not letting fear hold you back. We also loved the strategy in this book for overcoming fear: Think-Tell-Do. It’s simple but easy for kids to grasp and remember. When you think you are afraid, tell yourself you can do it, and do it! 

This beautifully illustrated picture book shares the journey of a little girl whose courage leads her to an incredible discovery. In a village where everyone is happy living in dark caves and amidst tall trees that block out the sky, the little girl feels dissatisfied. She’s sure there’s more to life than darkness, and when no one can answer her questions, she summons the courage to venture out on her own. The book communicates messages of courage, self-reliance, hope, and adventure beautifully. Beyond the Trees that Covered the Sky makes a great read aloud for children of all ages. 

This award-winning picture book celebrates the success that comes from facing your fears. Jabari is a little boy who is determined to summon the courage to jump off the diving board. With encouragement from his patient father, Jabari eventually feels supported enough to take the leap. Jabari Jumps is an empowering, relatable story with a main character readers will wholeheartedly cheer for. 

A young girl and a bear cub meet for the first time on a train headed to somewhere unknown (to the reader), both wearing “courage hats” to help them face their shared fear of traveling solo on a train. We loved the beautiful watercolor illustrations depicting their journey and the surprise destination at the end. Courage Hats shows young readers that sometimes a friend is all you need to overcome your fears. 

At first glance, I’m Not Small is a book about size and comparisons. But when the little boy first ventures outdoors alone, he feels overwhelmed and small among the trees, the sky, and his own backyard. When he looks with courage, however, he realizes that he’s bigger than a rabbit, a scary bee, and his own pets. We loved this book because it encourages autonomy and exploration while still feeling supported and safe. Preschool aged children will especially appreciate this story. 

This inspiring book is part of the “I Am” series created by award-winning author and illustrator duo Susan Verde and Peter H. Reynolds. I Am Courage celebrates the strength inside us all—the strength to try, fail, and get back up to try again. The book also touches on the importance of asking for help and for offering help to others. Parents and teachers will especially love the emphasis on mindfulness, breathing techniques, and calming yoga poses. 

This gorgeous picture book inspires kids to explore and take chances, reminding them to notice the world around them and understand that they are a wonder too. The whimsical illustrations and inspiring text deliver a message of hope, encouraging readers to choose kindness, dream big, and work to make the world a better place. This is our favorite picture book about courage, and would make a beautiful gift for children and adults alike. 

Norman has always been perfectly normal. That is, until he suddenly sprouts a pair of spectacular wings. His first flight is glorious, but then Norman realizes that his wings make him different. Because Norman exerts so much effort trying to hide his wings, he can’t enjoy most aspects of his life, like vacations, trips to the park, and birthday parties. Finally, Norman finds the courage to show who he really is and inspires others to do the same. This book sparks great conversation about embracing the uniqueness of every person, including yourself. 

The Courage of the Little Hummingbird is a fresh retelling of a fable told around the world in many forms and in many cultures, believed to originate from the Indigenous people of Equador. In this book, a fire threatens the Great Forest and all the animals believe nothing can be done–except for the little hummingbird. Her courage and optimism inspire the others to unite and save their beloved home. Young readers will love the beautiful illustrations in this inspiring tale of courage. 

This story beautifully captures the emotions of a little girl as she prepares to emigrate from her home country. Anita feels a swirl of emotions– sadness, excitement, hope, and fear as she hops from rooftop to rooftop, watching the dragons (which are really airplanes) high above her. However, Anita knows that she must meet her new challenge with courage, as only a real “princesa” would. This story will appeal to all children, but might be especially meaningful for older elementary school readers. 

Hannah and Sugar is a wonderful picture book story about a young girl overcoming her fear of dogs. Every day, Hannah gets off the bus and notices Sugar, her classmate’s well-behaved pup. Although the other children love Sugar, Hannah is desperately afraid. When Sugar goes missing, Hannah joins the search and eventually conquers her fear. We loved how both children and adults in this story accepted Hannah’s hesitations without making her feel bad–and allowed her to join in when she was ready. 

Being brave isn’t always easy, but this book shows kids the importance of trying new things, even when the outcome is uncertain. In this story, a child and his smiling animal friends explore new experiences, empowering readers to “give it their all,” while also reminding them that it’s perfectly fine to take a step back and simply observe at times. The bright illustrations and simple text will especially appeal to younger children. 

This book retells classic Greek tales that celebrate courageous women and girls. 
Featuring heroines like Persephone, Artemis, Athena, and Circe, this collection empowers young readers by putting female characters back in the center of their own stories—a refreshing change from the many male-focused retellings. After doing research or this article, I purchased Tales of Brave and Brilliant Girls from the Greek Myths for my 10-year-old daughter, and she can’t put it down! The illustrations are stunning and really bring the stories to life.

After reading this book, kids will feel like they can be real life superheroes—just by being brave. Award-winning author Stacy McAnulty encourages kids to be brave in everyday situations, such as having new adventures, trying new hobbies, and even looking under their own beds! The colorful illustrations 

Preschoolers will love this story from Little Golden Book, featuring the ever popular Paw Patrol characters. Be Brave, Little Pup is told from the perspective of Chase, the German Shepherd police dog, known for always being courageous. However, in this origin story, Chase shares how fear held him back on his first rescue mission. With bright illustrations and an engaging storyline, this book shows how Chase conquered his fears to become a brave member of the team.

This gentle picture book is perfect for readers who are anxious about starting school or embarking on a new activity. In this story, May is a little girl who has butterflies in her tummy before the first day of school. While in nature, May tries hard to summon courage, but nothing seems to work. However, her supportive mother reassures her that she’s not alone–that everyone, including all the forest creatures, need to learn how to. Readers will cheer for May as she meets a new friend on her first day of school. 

From the author of the best seller What Do You Do With an Idea? comes a poignant story about embracing failure, recognizing it as the first step in a worthwhile journey. Detailed illustrations show a young boy wandering into a sculptor’s studio and realizing how much he wants to create similar pieces but is afraid to begin. At the sculptor’s encouragement, the boy begins to try, and fail, and try again. This beautiful and inspiring story makes a perfect gift for anyone who has ever been afraid to try something new.