Brave Irene and 14 Other Books about Courage for Kids
- By Deedee Wills
- Updated on December 12
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Books About Courage for Kids
Fear is such a natural part of growing up. Our little learners may be afraid of the dark, nervous around dogs, or unsure about making new friends. Some worry about trying new things, speaking up for themselves, or facing tricky situations. And honestly… adults feel these things too!
Children’s wonderful books are a beautiful way to help students connect with characters who are feeling the same big emotions they are. These character lessons give powerful examples of brave kids who face their fears even when it feels hard and discover the great courage that was inside them all along. These stories gently show children that it’s okay to be scared, and that bravery doesn’t mean you’re never afraid… it means you keep going anyway.
Read on to find a list of books about courage for kids you’re going to love sharing these with your young children!
Brave Irene by William Steig
Brave Irene tells the story of a determined little girl who sets out to deliver a beautiful ball gown to the palace during a fierce snowstorm. Along the way, she faces obstacle after obstacle including that wicked wind and she shows us that with enough willpower and heart, anything is possible.
Now, even though this book is considered realistic fiction, let’s be honest… we would never condone anyone walking through a snowstorm. Duchess, princess, queen… NOPE! But as a lovely story to explore bravery and perseverance? Oh my goodness it’s a gem. That’s why we included it in our Engaging Readers Reading Comprehension book list. It’s one of those favorite children’s books that invites deep conversation and sticks with students long after the last page.
Character Analysis
On the first day of reading this book, we take a close look at Brave Irene at the beginning of the story and again at the end. It’s such a powerful way for students to see her growth and name the traits that make her so courageous. And by this point in the year, we really start to see some wonderful growth in our kindergarten transcription skills, too! Their little written responses get clearer, bolder, and braver just like Irene herself.
Brave Irene – Sequencing the Story
Students work together to put the events of the story in order with these picture cards.
Then students turn to their partner to retell the story events in order using transition words. This oral language work is gold… it strengthens sequencing skills, builds confidence, and serves as such a wonderful pre-writing experience. You can really hear their understanding grow as they talk it through!
Afterward, students complete their own individual retelling craft. It’s the perfect hands-on way for them to show what they know, and it makes an adorable keepsake for your hallway or bulletin board!
Additional reading comprehension activities include looking at the problem and solution in the story, inferring, and identifying the theme. It’s amazing to see how even our youngest learners can dig so deeply into a text with the right support! Here are some photos of what that looks like in a classroom filled with 5 and 6 year olds… thoughtful discussions, big ideas, and lots of proud smiles.
Brave Irene Craft
We also love how these cute Brave Irene crafts came out.
You can find all the Brave Irene lessons in our Engaging Readers Reading Comprehension units:
Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall
This is truly one of my favorite books! In this story, Jabari is a young boy working hard to overcome his fear of jumping off the diving board. Even though he knows he’s a good swimmer and remembers how well he did in his swimming lessons, the tall ladder and the height of the board make his confidence wobble a bit. As he watches older kids climb and jump with ease, he gives himself little pep talks and tries to be brave.
This book is such a wonderful springboard for discussing courage, confidence, and facing fears. And the illustrations? They are absolutely perfect for launching writing lessons full of emotion, perspective, and storytelling details that inspire young writers to look closely and add meaning to their own drawings.
Sheila Rae, the Brave by Kevin Henkes
This classic picture book about bravery is perfect for young readers. Sheila Rae is the confident big sister she’s fearless when it comes to thunder, barking dogs, and even sidewalk cracks! But when she suddenly finds herself lost, she realizes that even the bravest kids have fears. That’s when her little sister, Louise, steps forward and shows her courage by helping Sheila Rae find her way back home. It’s such a heartwarming story for teaching little ones about facing fears, supporting each other, and discovering that bravery comes in many forms.
You can see how we used this in the classroom by clicking:
The Recess Queen by Alexis O’Neill
This book tackles bullying head-on and does it in such a kid-friendly way! The Recess Queen is perfect for children ages 4–8 who are just beginning to think about friendships, fairness, and how our actions affect others. The energetic rhythm makes it a blast to read aloud, and the illustrations add so much personality and humor. Best of all, it naturally weaves in important life lessons self-esteem, courage, integrity, kindness without ever feeling preachy. It’s truly one of those good books that belongs on every list of thoughtful book recommendations for home and school libraries!
This is also a beautiful picture book to kick off the new school year. You can see how we used this in the classroom by clicking:
The Dark by Lemony Snicket
This book is illustrated by Jon Klassen, so you know it’s going to be absolute perfection! His artwork alone pulls younger children right into the story.
Being afraid of the dark is so common for little ones (and adults… raising my hand!), which makes this book such a wonderful read-aloud for children of all ages. It starts off a tiny bit spooky, but trust me stick with it. The payoff is so good, and the message is beautifully reassuring. You can check out the book below!
The Doghouse by Jan Thomas
This cute book is hilarious! It’s not especially deep or serious, but it will absolutely make your class giggle and honestly, that alone makes it a must-read in my book.
Mouse, Pig, Cow, and Duck are having a blast playing together until their ball rolls into the doghouse. Suddenly, they need someone brave enough to retrieve it… and Mouse bravely volunteers everyone else! Kids think this is the funniest thing ever, and the repeated pattern makes it perfect for prediction and participation.
It’s by the same author as The Easter Bunny’s Assistant, another classroom favorite. You can read about that book by clicking:
Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun by Maria Dismondy
This book is such a powerful reminder for kids to stay true to themselves, even when things get tough. It shows young readers that kindness never goes out of style even if it sometimes feels “uncool” in the moment.
At its heart, this is the story of a young girl who has lot of courage to be unique. She learns to stand tall in who she is, quirks and all, and her bravery inspires others along the way. It’s a beautiful read-aloud for teaching confidence, empathy, and celebrating what makes each of us special.
The Little Yellow Leaf by Carin Berger
This sweet, beautifully illustrated book follows a little leaf that just isn’t quite ready to let go of the oak tree in the fall. While all the other leaves swirl and dance to the ground, this one holds on waiting for the right moment.
The message is such a powerful one: it’s okay to wait until you feel ready. The wonderful story also offers a gentle lesson about “letting go” and finding the courage to explore what comes next. It’s a lovely, comforting read-aloud for young learners who may need reassurance during times of change.
Scaredy Squirrel by Melanie Watt
This is a laugh-out-loud book! Here is what the publisher has to say.
Scaredy Squirrel never leaves his nut tree. It’s way too dangerous out there. He could encounter tarantulas, green Martians or killer bees. But in his tree, every day is the same and if danger comes along, he’s well-prepared. Scaredy Squirrel’s emergency kit includes antibacterial soap, Band-Aids and a parachute.
You can see how we used this book in the classroom by reading:
After the Fall by Dan Santat
This beautiful story follows Humpty Dumpty as he finds the courage to climb back up on the wall after his great fall. But before he can do that, he must face his fear of heights… a challenge that feels enormous to him. The illustrations are absolutely stunning, and the message could not be sweeter.
What makes this book even more special is that Dan Santat wrote it as a love letter to his wife. Knowing the “story behind the story” adds an extra layer of tenderness… and yes, I cry every time I read it!
Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl’s Courage Changed Music by Margarita Engle and Rafael Lopez
Rafael López is my favorite illustrator without hesitation and this gorgeous book is yet another great example of why. Every page feels like artwork you want to frame.
Inspired by the childhood of Millo Castro Zaldarriaga, a Chinese-African-Cuban girl who broke Cuba’s long-held taboo against female drummers, Drum Dream Girl tells the powerful true story of a young dreamer who refused to give up. Her courage didn’t just change her own life… it changed music itself.
It’s an inspiring, empowering read-aloud for dreamers everywhere.
The Day You Begin by Jaqueline Woodson
Rafael Lopez provided the beautiful illustrations in this book as well. This is a great book to read at any time of the year, but especially at the start of a school year. I love this line from the book:
There will be times when you walk into a room
and no one there is quite like you.
Oliver Button is a Sissy by Tomie dePaola
It’s really hard to believe this book was written in 1979… the message still feels so relevant today!
Tomie is not like the other boys, and he’s teased because he loves to sing, dance, read, and create art. But instead of changing who he is, Tomie embraces his gifts and shows incredible courage by staying true to himself. Tomie dePaola’s story is such a beautiful reminder that we don’t have to bend to peer pressure… our uniqueness is our strength.
I absolutely love this book!
As Brave as Can Be by Jo Witek
This book is filled with bold illustrations.
Here is what the publisher says about this book:
An older sister explains to her younger sister all the things she used to be afraid of, along with some tricks to help deal with that fear, whether it’s a special blanket for bedtime or singing during a storm. Now, big sister assures little sister, the fears that once felt as big as a mountain feel as minuscule as a speck of dust.
Tomorrow I’ll Be Brave by Jessica Hische
This beautiful book reminds kids that bravery isn’t about being fearless… it’s about finding that little spark inside that helps us push through fear, self-doubt, or anxiety when something feels hard or scary. It teaches young readers that being brave doesn’t mean being bold every moment. Sometimes, all it takes is a few brave seconds… and one deep breath.
It’s a gentle, uplifting message that resonates with kids and adults.
I hope you found a few new children’s stories to add to your list of must-have picture books. These titles bring such powerful lessons wrapped in beautiful storytelling perfect for sparking meaningful conversations in the classroom or at home.
Do you have a favorite children’s book I should add to my list? I love discovering new gems, so feel free to share!
Deedee Wills
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