Books on Bravery & Courage

I've been gathering this list on books for adults & kids about bravery & having courage for a while, but then I got to interview Terry Sidford for my podcast (episode 33) & the list kind of culminated from there. I have had so many new ideas spark since that productive, but painful conversation with Terry & I think it's important to identify our actions as courageous, where previously we may not have done so.
This list is a little unique since it will include books for adults too, but I think everyone can use a little more courage in their lives. I certainly want to be more courageous as I strive to teach my children what courage looks like in today's day & age.

BRAVERY & COURAGE BOOKS (KIDS):
1. Courage
by: Bernard Waber
(There are heroic people like firefighters who are courageous every day, but what about the every day normal behaviors like "going to bed at night with no nightlight." There are many varied kinds of courage, & it is good to take the opportunity to express courage often.)
www.amazon.com/Courage-Bernard-Waber/dp/0618238557/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=courage&qid=1617056295&sr=8-3

2. Jabari Jumps
by: Gaia Cornwall
(Jabari just finished swimming lessons & he's contemplating the high dive; but it's a lot more intimidating than he thought. Mid-climb up the ladder, he looks down to his dad, who agrees that maybe a small rest before going off the high dive would be good. Jabari confronts his fear of heights & doing new things, treats it like a surprise, & ....jumps!)
www.amazon.com/Jabari-Jumps-Gaia-Cornwall/dp/1536202908/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=jabari+jumps&qid=1617077964&sr=8-1

3. Be Brave Little One: An Inspiring Book About Courage
by: Marianne Richmond
(Written in comforting rhyme, this story talks about all of the things a little one can do to be brave.)
​www.amazon.com/Brave-Little-One-Marianne-Richmond/dp/1492658812/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=be+brave+little+one&qid=1617078743&sr=8-1

4. My Magical Words
by: Becky Cummings
(Full of affirmations for children, this book also encourages kids to reflect on bravery & the fact that they are brave.)
www.amazon.com/My-Magical-Words-Magic-Me/dp/1732596344/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=my+magical+words&qid=1617139526&sr=8-1

5. It Will be Okay
by: Lysa Terkerust
(Growing up brings change...& that can be scary sometimes! In this book, little fox & little seed are facing change & new circumstances. But no matter how new or scary new circumstances are, God will be good & kind-- He will not desert children.)
www.amazon.com/Will-Okay-Trusting-Through-Change/dp/140032419X/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1617254679&sr=8-1

6. Tiny T. Rex & the Very Dark Dark
by: Jonathan Stutzman
(Tiny is having a sleepover campout with his best friend, but what will they do when the nombies come out at night? The dinos get creative as they try to create a massive nightlight & then it blows up, so they're in the dark again.)
www.amazon.com/Tiny-Rex-Very-Dark-Read-Aloud/dp/1452170347/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2C3O0KOP5AYWG&dchild=1&keywords=tiny+t.+rex+and+the+very+dark+dark&qid=1617295666&sprefix=tiny+t+rex+%26+the+dark%2Caps%2C232&sr=8-1

7. When You are Brave
by: Pat Zietlow Miller
(A young girl learns what it means to be brave, as she moves with her family & says goodbye to her old neighborhood. When she looks deeply within, she discovers a hidden spark of courage, that she can then go on to nurture & help glow. I love how she transforms herself into a superhero, in her imagination, by the end of the book, because she realizes how valuable it is to be brave in new situations.)
www.amazon.com/When-You-Brave-Zietlow-Miller/dp/0316392529/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=when+you+are+brave&qid=1617747761&s=books&sr=1-1

8. Franklin in the Dark
by: Paulette Bourgeois & Brenda Clark
(Franklin is afraid of the dark, which is a problem since he is a turtle, and the darkness he fears is created within his own shell. Franklin ventures out to seek help and in his travels he finds a polar bear who is afraid of the cold & a duck who is afraid of water. In the end, Franklin realizes everyone is afraid of something!)
​www.amazon.com/Franklin-Dark-Paulette-Bourgeois/dp/1771380071/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=franklin+in+the+dark&qid=1617750502&s=books&sr=1-1

9. Courageous People Who Changed the World (Little Heroes)
by: Heidi Poelman & Kyle Kershner {Board book}
(This book is a young child's first introduction to inspirational & courageous women like Rosa Parks & Susan B. Anthony. There are 8 people profiled as leaders who contributed to freedom & making the world a better place.)
www.amazon.com/Courageous-People-Changed-Little-Heroes/dp/1945547758/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=little+heroes&qid=1617750720&s=books&sr=1-2

10. The Story of Malala
by: Joan Marie Galat
(Malala Yousafzai became a young activist while she was a young girl and fought for girl's educational rights.)
www.amazon.com/Story-Malala-Yousafzai-Biography-Readers/dp/1647396824/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=the+story+of+malala&qid=1617750875&s=books&sr=1-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyQlU0WFNPQjFEWjY0JmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMTc2Nzk4RDNQOFhZTVVNRUJGJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA5MTU4NjQyVEhBSzdBVThTQVRUJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

11. The Truth About Dragons
by: Jaime Zollars
(A young girl approaches a castle timidly; she's worried about dragon teeth & their wildness & roaring. But then the girl sees a dragon who loves a tambourine and another with mismatched socks....and soon the girl realizes they are not as scary & intimidating as she originally envisioned. The story encourages readers to look past their fears to uncover surprising truths.)
www.amazon.com/Truth-About-Dragons-Jaime-Zollars/dp/0316481483/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=the+truth+about+dragons&qid=1617764145&s=books&sr=1-1

12. A Little Bit Brave
by: Nicola Kinnear
(Logan is just a stay-at-home bunny, until one day, his friend heads out on adventures & Logan realizes he must face his own fears to go rescue her. He leaves the house packed with nothing more than a tin of cookies, some snorkeling gear & a backpack....but he does in fact save the day!)
www.amazon.com/Little-Bit-Brave-Nicola-Kinnear/dp/1338563270/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=a+little+bit+brave&qid=1617764295&s=books&sr=1-1

13. I Am Courage: A Book of Resilience (releases this September!)
by: Peter H. Reynolds
​www.amazon.com/Am-Courage-Book-Resilience-Books/dp/1419746464/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=i+am+courage&qid=1617811203&sr=8-3

14. I'm a Duck
by: Eve Bunting
(A duck afraid of the water? Yes indeed. "You're a duck & ducks don't sink," says Frog. Duck decides to start practicing swimming in a puddle-- it's not as intimidating as the big pond. And eventually he works up the courage to just jump in & try to swim with his duck brothers & sisters.)
​www.amazon.com/Im-Duck-Eve-Bunting/dp/076368032X/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=I%27m+a+duck&qid=1617844949&sr=8-1

15. The Bold, Brave Bunny
by: Beth Ferry
(Teetu learns that the letter B is for Brave & Bold. He sneaks off one dark night after his bunny family ruins his alphabet book. Teetu can admire moonlight & animals that come out only at night & he puts his adventures in a new book he creates. But soon enough, Teetu is tired of being alone....how will he overcome his hard feelings & head home?)
www.amazon.com/Bold-Brave-Bunny-Beth-Ferry/dp/0062850318/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=the+bold+brave+bunny&qid=1617844738&sr=8-1

16. I Walk with Vanessa
by: Kerascoet
(This book is about courage & kindness too-- this story is about one girl who stands up to bullying & protects her friend Vanessa even through the feelings of helplessness & anger that come from seeing a classmate mistreated.)
www.amazon.com/Walk-Vanessa-Story-Simple-Kindness/dp/152476955X/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=i+walk+with+vanessa&qid=1617845063&sr=8-1


17. Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl's Courage Changed Music
by: Margarita Engle
(It was a well known fact that girls cannot be drummers. But Milo Castro dreamed of playing the drums & had to do practice in secret. But once everyone heard her music, they began to dance & agreed that girls & boys both can play the drums.)
www.amazon.com/Drum-Dream-Girl-Courage-Changed/dp/0544102290/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=drum+dream+girl&qid=1617845156&sr=8-1

18. Ladybug Girl at the Beach
by: David Soman & Jacky Davis
(Lulu & her dog Bingo have never been to the beach before & luckily, her bravery leads her all the way into the ocean to rescue her pail from the waves. She builds up her courage as she experiences the new things at the beach.)
www.amazon.com/Ladybug-Girl-Beach-David-Soman/dp/0803734166/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=ladybug+girl+at+the+beach&qid=1617748187&s=books&sr=1-1

19. Little Excavator
by: Anna Dewdney
(Little Excavator is the smallest construction vehicle on the site & he seems too small for all the work that needs to be done. But there’s a special job that none of the bigger machines can do— cross a narrow bridge & plant a tree...& Excavator is perfect for the job!)
​https://www.amazon.com/Little-Excavator-Anna-Dewdney/dp/1101999209/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=little+excavator&qid=1617845197&sr=8-1
​
20. Flying Solo
by: Julie Cummins
(The true story of Ruth Elder, one of the first female pilots during an age when flying was declared only for men. She, alongside Amelia Earhart, changed the game for women who wanted to pilot as she entered races & competitions for years to help secure a spot for female aviators.)
​www.amazon.com/Flying-Solo-Elder-Soared-Americas/dp/1596435097/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=flying+solo+julie+cummins&qid=1617811980&sr=8-1

21. Mary Wears What She Wants
by:
​(Mary is sick of wearing dresses; why do girls always have to wear dresses? And boys bet to wear pants? One night Mary fashions some trousers & wears them to school— everyone gawks at her. And even though it bothers her a little, she doesn’t let it deter her. She encourages other kids to wear what they want (not a dress every single day) too!
​www.amazon.com/Mary-Wears-What-She-Wants/dp/0062846795/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=mary+wears+what+she+wants&qid=1617850606&sr=8-1


BRAVERY & COURAGE (ADULTS):
1. Daring Greatly:
How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent & Lead
by: Brene Brown
www.amazon.com/Daring-Greatly-Courage-Vulnerable-Transforms/dp/1592408419/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=daring+greatly&qid=1617749957&s=books&sr=1-1

2. Brave, Not Perfect: How Celebrating Imperfection Helps you Live Your Best, Most Joyful Life
by: Reshma Saujani (*Currently reading this one!)
www.amazon.com/Brave-Not-Perfect-Celebrating-Imperfection/dp/1524762350/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=brave+not+perfect&qid=1617750016&s=books&sr=1-1

3. The Courage to Stand: Facing Your Fear Without Losing Your Soul
by: Russell D. Moore
www.amazon.com/Courage-Stand-Facing-without-Losing/dp/1535998539/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=the+courage+to+stand&qid=1617750080&s=books&sr=1-1

4. One Hundred Hearts
by: Terry Sidford
www.amazon.com/One-Hundred-Hearts-Inspiring-Stories/dp/1504337638/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=one+hundred+hearts&qid=1617750118&s=books&sr=1-1

5.The Courage to Be Yourself: A Woman's Guide to Emotional Strength & Self-Esteem
by: Sue Patton Thoele
www.amazon.com/Courage-Be-Yourself-Emotional-Self-Esteem/dp/157324676X/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=the+courage+to+be+yourself&qid=1617750147&s=books&sr=1-1

6. Courageous World Changers: 50 True Stories of Daring Women of God
by: Shirley Raye Remond
www.amazon.com/Courageous-World-Changers-Stories-Daring/dp/0736977341/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=courageous+world+changers&qid=1617750189&s=books&sr=1-1

7. I Am Malala
by: Malala & Patricia McCormick
www.amazon.com/Am-Malala-Education-Changed-Readers/dp/0316327913/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=I+am+malala&qid=1617750247&s=books&sr=1-1

8. Leading With Emotional Courage:
How to Have Hard Conversations, Create Accountability & Inspire Action on Your Most Important Work
by: Peter Bregman
www.amazon.com/Leading-Emotional-Courage-Conversations-Accountability/dp/1119505690/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Leading+with+emotional+courage&qid=1617750275&s=books&sr=1-1