Books That Heal Kids: bravery

Showing posts with label bravery. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bravery. Show all posts

Book Review: When You Are Brave


Author: Pat Zietlow Miller
Illustrator: Eliza Wheeler

From the Book Jacket: Some days, when everything around you seems scary, you have to be brave. Saying goodbye to neighbors. Worrying about new friends. Passing through a big city. Seeing a dark road ahead. In these moments, a young girl feels small and quiet and alone. But when she breathes deeply and looks inside herself, a hidden spark of courage appears, one she can nurture and grow until she glows inside and out. 

Why It's On My Bookshelf: Really love this book. It reminds kids they have a light inside of them. And that it might start out small like a spark but you can turn it into a flame. If you picture it in your mind it will become bigger and bolder! That courage will brighten your heart and fill your body. The story also tells us to think about what we are good at. What do we love to do or who do we love. Those positive thoughts will guide you out of the dark. No matter what happens - you'll be all right. 

A Link to This Book:
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Book Review: Don't Worry Little Crab


Author/Illustrator: Chris Haughton

From the Book Jacket: Little Crab and Very Big Crab live in a tiny tide pool, and today they are off to the OCEAN! "This is going to be so great!" says Little Crab. But when they get there, the waves are HUGE! And they keep getting bigger...and bigger! "Maybe we should go home," says Little Crab. "Don't worry," says Very Big Crab. "I'm here."

But will Little Crab be brave enough to face the waves and go in the ocean?

Why It's On My Bookshelf: This has a really straight forward message of not giving into our fears. When we quit something because of a worry we don't just miss out on life but we don't gain the skills we need to overcome anxiety. So lets be brave! Great book!

Book Trailer:


A Link to This Book: 
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Book Review: What Do You Do With A Chance?

Author: Kobi Yamada
Illustrator: Mae Besom

From the Book Jacket: What do you do with a chance? Especially one that seems too big or too wild or just out of reach? Do you hold back? Do you act like you don't care? Do you let it slip away?

This is the story of some remarkable chances and the child who doesn't know quite what to do with them. But the more chances come around, the more the child's fascination grows. And then, one day, a little courage makes all the difference in the world. 

This is a story for anyone, at any age, who has ever wanted something, but was afraid of risking too much to get it. It's a story to inspire you to embrace the chances that come into your life. Because you never know when a chance, once taken, might be the one to change everything. 

Why It's On My Bookshelf: This is my favorite book out of this whole series. You can find so many different meanings in these books! My takeaway from this one was to be a seeker. To seek opportunities, adventures, experiences, and doors to new beginnings. When you try to make positive changes in your life it can also feel scary and cause you to be afraid. But you have to try and take the chance. When we hold back, we miss out. Brilliant!

A Link to This Book and Others You Might Find Helpful:
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Book Review: Brave


Author: Stacy McAnulty
Illustrator: Joanne Lew-Vriethoff
Interest Level: Ages 3 and Up

From the Book Jacket: An empowering picture book for all kids that demonstrates to children that they can be real-life superheroes and that all kids have what it takes to be brave. Superheroes seek adventure, never give up, and stay calm when others are 
afraid. Superheroes are brave. But they aren't the only ones.

Kids are brave every day. When they are told they are too little, but accomplish something big. When they check for monsters under the bed, just in case. When they face something uncertain, whether a thunderstorm or a hospital visit. When they stand up for what's right, even when it means facing consequences.

Like superheroes, brave kids can save the world, just by being brave.

Brave encourages kids to be brave in all the ways they can: trying new things, speaking their mind, confronting bullies, and more. This book will inspire kids to follow their hearts and to have courage, no matter the situation.

Why It's On My Bookshelf: I've been looking for more books to help kids overcome fear and anxiety. Helping kids understand they have the power within themselves to face small and big obstacles is part of my daily job as a counselor. Brave is a confidence builder and I am using it to help kids develop their self-talk around using bravery to defeat problems. So happy to add this one to my shelf! 

A Link to This Book and Others You Might Find Helpful:
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Book Review: The Boy and the Whale

Author/Illustrator: Mordicai Gerstein
Interest Level: Ages 5 and Up

From the Book Jacket: A boy and his father discover a whale tangled in their only fishing net. Is the whale dead? The father worries about losing their net, but the boy worries about the whale. He remembers the fear he once felt when, tangled in a net himself, he nearly drowned before being rescued. When the whale blinks an enormous eye, the boy knows that he has to try to save the creature, no matter how dangerous doing so may be. 

This story was inspired by a real-life video of a whale's rescue and the creature's joyful dance through the waves after being freed. 

Why It's On My Bookshelf: This is a powerful story about taking action based on feeling empathy and compassion when someone else is suffering and in need. Even though we might not have the opportunity to save a whale.....there are many things we can do to help others that can make a difference. I often get requests for books that teach the concept of empathy. My list has been pretty short. I'm excited to add this one to my line up because it has a powerful message and it will have a positive impact on my students. 

YouTube Video (the inspiration behind the book):


A Link to This Book: 
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Book Review: Jabari Jumps




















Author/Illustrator: Gaia Cornwell
Interest Level: Ages 4-8

From the Book Jacket: Jabari is definitely ready to jump off the diving board. He's finished his swimming lessons. He's passed his swim test. It's just...maybe he should do some stretches first. "Looks easy," says Jabari, watching the other kids take their turns. But when his dad squeezes his hand, Jabari squeezes back. Gaia Cornwell makes her picture-book debut in a story about what it takes to work up the courage to make a big important leap. 

Why It's On My Bookshelf: Such a great story about how we can turn our self-doubt into courage to overcome something that may seem scary or too hard of a task. Jabari goes through that thought process and with the help of his dad he is able to take the big jump.His dad teaches him to take a deep breath and change his self-talk into something positive. 
I will definitely be using this in my kindergarten and first grade growth mindset lessons next year. Another winner!

A Link to This Book and Others You Might Find Helpful: 
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Book Review: The Smallest Girl in the Smallest Grade

Author: Justin Roberts
Illustrator: Christian Robinson
Interest Level: Ages 4 and Up

From the Book Jacket: Hardly anyone noticed young Sally McCabe. She was the smallest girl in the smallest grade. But Sally notices everything - from the twenty-seven keys on the janitor's ring to the bullying happening on the playground. One day, Sally has had enough and decides to make herself heard. And when she takes a chance and stands up to the bullies, she finds that one small girl can make a big difference. 

Why It's On My Bookshelf: I've been waiting for a book like this. It only takes one person, doesn't matter who they are, to make a really big difference. An awesome difference. When we talk to kids about being bystanders it's so important to share it's really about leadership. Sally is a great example of bravery, courage, and leadership. A bystander who refuses to keep quiet. I notice bystanders are often silent about bullying not because of fear of retaliation but they've become desensitized to what they are seeing. So when unkind acts happen - it becomes normalized. Lets help stop that cycle. 

This book is going to be in HEAVY rotation in my bully prevention lessons. GET A COPY!

A Link to This Book and Others You Might Find Helpful:



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Book Review: Hana Hashimoto, Sixth Violin






















Author: Chieri Uegaki 
Illustrator: Qin Leng
Interest Level: Ages 5 and Up

From the Book Jacket: When Hana announces that she'll be playing violin in the school talent show, her brothers laugh so hard they nearly fall out of a tree. But Hana doesn't let that stop her - she practices and practices, inspired by memories of the time she spent in Japan with her ojiichan, a professional violinist. But when the day of the performance arrives, will she be able to overcome a sudden case of nerves? From the author of the bestselling Suki's Kimono comes a celebration of music, individuality and the very special bond between a child and her grandparent. 



Why It's On My Bookshelf: I love finding these stories. It's awesome to discover your talent. But it can be so defeating when you are mocked for that gift. Hana does not give up or give in to quitting. She continues to pursue her passion. I try and tell kids when we don't follow our hearts desires then how can we fulfill our purpose? That's our jobs as humans. To fill ourselves up with the things we love to do. What an inspiring read for children and adults. 

A Link to This Book:
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Book Review: Two Bobbies - A True Story of Hurricane Katrina, Friendship, and Survival


Authors: Kirby Larson and Mary Nethery
Illustrator: Jean Cassels
Interest Level: Ages 3 and Up
Book Trailer: Two Bobbies

About This Book: During Hurricane Katrina, evacuating New Orleans residents were forced to leave their pets behind. Bobbi the dog was initially chained to keep her safe, but after her owners failed to return, she had to break free. For months, Bobbi wandered the city's ravaged streets-dragging her chain behind her-followed by her feline companion, Bob Cat. After months of hunger and struggle, the Two Bobbies were finally rescued by a construction worker helping to rebuild the city. When he brought them to a shelter, volunteers made an amazing discovery about the devoted friends-Bob Cat was actually blind! He had survived the aftermath of the storm by following the sound Bobbi's chain made as she dragged it along the ground.

At the shelter, the two bob-tailed friends refused to be parted, even for a moment. Could rescue workers find the Bobbies' owners? Or could they find a new home that would take them together? This remarkable true story of devotion and survival is a testament to the spirit that defined post-Katrina rescue missions, and is a perfect way to commemorate the this day in history. 

Why It's On My Bookshelf: This book was recommended on the Choice Literacy Facebook Page by 4th grade teacher Andrea Smith. She selects it as her first read aloud of the year. 

She says: "I love to use this book about a real cat and dog at the beginning of the year because it opens the doorway to conversations about friendship and loyalty. The characters also show kids how we each bring talents and strengths to our classroom, despite our challenges. These two unlikely friends also have a secret - one is blind and the other is deaf. Yet somehow they managed to find help during the difficult times after Hurricane Katrina, refusing to be separated. I love how this animal story invites children into conversations and makes them comfortable enough to discuss important topics."

After reading the book, I could not agree more! This is a great read aloud. You could use this to encourage kids to take care of each other during the school year. We all have emotional needs and we need to be mindful of how our behavior can hurt or help our school community. We all have differences but lets use those to strengthen our bonds - just like the Two Bobbies did. LOVE!

                                                                                                                                           
A Link to This Book: 
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