Everyone is afraid of something. Courage isn’t about never being afraid, but about confronting and overcoming our fears — and these five great books from EBYR can help:
Parachute
Written by Danny Parker
Illustrated by Matt Ottley
Toby doesn’t like heights. That’s why he always carries a parachute with him. His parachute makes him feel safe when he has to climb down from his bunk bed or when he’s playing on the swings. But one day, Toby’s cat gets stuck in a tree, and it’s up to Toby to rescue him. With the help of his parachute, Toby reaches his cat and lowers him safely to the ground. But now Toby is stuck in the tree, unless he can conquer his fears. . . .
This compelling book, perfectly complemented by Matt Ottley’s expressive artwork, lends a sympathetic ear to children’s fears while simultaneously assuring readers that they can overcome them.
Samira and the Skeletons
Written & illustrated by Camilla Kuhn
Samira likes school, especially when she gets to sit next to her best friend, Frida. But when they learn about the skeletal system in science class, Samira suddenly begins to imagine everyone in school as a walking skeleton. Soon she starts avoiding her fellow classmates, even Frida, but Samira still can’t escape her own skeleton. With some clever help from her mother, though, Samira realizes that maybe having a body full of bones isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
Enhanced by delightfully impish illustrations, Camilla Kuhn’s playful book depicts the hilarious results of an imagination gone awry.
I’m Right Here
Written by Constance Ørbeck-Nilssen
Illustrated by Akin Duzakin
“Are you ever afraid?” William asks his grandmother. But her answer isn’t what he expects. His grandma isn’t afraid of big dogs or thunder and lightning like William is. Instead, she’s afraid that she won’t see the flowers bloom next spring. She’s afraid that she’ll miss the magpie building its nest. Most of all, she’s afraid of losing the things she loves — especially William. But then it’s William’s turn to surprise her with his response.
With soft, inviting artwork, this reassuring story contains a stirring message about the power and constancy of love.
The Yes
Written by Sarah Bee
Illustrated by Satoshi Kitamura
The Yes is a cheerful orange creature who sets off to explore the big wide Where. But the Where is home to the Nos, who travel in packs and discourage the Yes at every turn. They tell the Yes that the tree is too big to climb, the bridge is too rickety to cross, the woods are too scary to explore. But even just one Yes is stronger than countless Nos.
Fans of Dr. Seuss will fall in love with the bright illustrations and clever wordplay, and the heartwarming message about overcoming obstacles makes this book the perfect graduation gift.
Red
Written & Illustrated by Jan De Kinder
In this poignant story, a girl finds it funny when her classmate starts blushing on the school playground. Her friends laugh along with her, but one student takes the teasing too far. Torn between her sympathy for her classmate and her fear of the bully, the girl must make a difficult choice.
This heartfelt book will inspire readers to find the courage to take a stance against bullying and show compassion towards others.
To read more about Red, and to peruse some of its stunning artwork, see this Eerdlings post about “A Different Kind of Bully Book.”
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Click here to see our full collection of books for overcoming fear.
