4 books that teach kids to be resilient, brave, and persistent

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They can’t leap tall buildings in a single bound, but these characters discover that when problems arise, they possess an even better superpower – inner courage. 

A quartet of children’s picture books shows that when challenges arise, it’s good to meet problems head on. Like a bear cub lost in a snowstorm or a boy worried about returning to school, pushing through fears can bring about a sense of confidence and mastery.   

And the books’ endearing and often humorous illustrations bring smiles to the faces of kids and grownups alike.        

Why We Wrote This

Bravery isn’t just for superheroes. That’s the message of four delightful picture books that will inspire, delight, and entertain young readers and their caregivers.

The characters from four fantastic children’s books featured here are the unlikely heroes of their stories who, when confronted with challenges, discover their courage. But they’re not superheroes. They are a timid bear cub, a skeptical chicken, a young ninja with a secret, and a nonverbal boy who surprises everyone. They’re flawed and vulnerable, just like the rest of us. But with persistence, they push through their respective obstacles – a snowstorm, a marathon, an injury, a lack of speech – to claim their own bravery. Reading these heartwarming, hilarious, and uplifting stories, the little ones in your life may be inspired to claim theirs, too. 

Slow and steady wins the race

“Chicken Little and the Very Long Race,” written and illustrated by Sam Wedelich, is a fun cross between “The Tortoise and the Hare,” and “Chicken Little.” This entertaining read with a witty lesson delighted my kids and me – enough that we ordered the other books in this plucky little series.

Why We Wrote This

Bravery isn’t just for superheroes. That’s the message of four delightful picture books that will inspire, delight, and entertain young readers and their caregivers.

When a marathon featuring local record holder Hare is announced, the entire chicken coop goes gaga. Except Chicken Little. She watches, mystified, as the flock ditches its workout routine and instead buys Hare’s book, drinks Hare-approved smoothies, and wears rabbit-ear sweatbands (for the grown-ups, an amusing commentary on influencer culture). When no one heeds Chicken Little’s warnings that there are no shortcuts to success, she hesitantly decides to enter the race herself. 

With its expressive, cartoonlike illustrations;  hilarious thought and speech balloons (“Are you chicken? Bok Bok!” says one hen to Chicken Little before she enters the race.); and hand-lettered prose, this book reads like a giant comic strip and delivers equal delight. Wedelich’s genius is in giving a classic fable a witty, modern spin and presenting a quintessential lesson (“Slow and steady wins the race.”) with humor.

Chicken Little and the Very Long Race, written and illustrated by Sam Wedelich. Scholastic Press, 40 pp.

I hope the takeaway for my kids from this little tale is the value of courage: The courage it took Chicken Little to speak up to her peers; the courage it took her to enter the race; and the courage it took her to finish the race the old-fashioned way, with hard work and perseverance. 

As Chicken Little tells the flock at the end of the race, “A very long race is about more than winning! It’s about daring to do hard things.” 



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