15 Children’s Books About Courage and Bravery

Having courage and being brave helps us overcome and achieve great things.  This list of books for kids will model characters showing bravery and courage in many different situations.  Let’s dive right into this list of children’s books about courage and bravery.

“Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I’ll try again tomorrow.” – Mary Anne Radmacher

Here is a sneak peek at what you’ll find in this post.

1. Favorite books that focus on the theme of COURAGE/BRAVERY including a FREE printable book list.
2. A list of discussion questions/conversation starters about the character strength- COURAGE/BRAVERY which you can also print.
3. Resources for families to hold a Family Dinner Book Club on the COURAGE/BRAVERY theme including menu ideas, activities, and a family service project.

BOOKS ABOUT COURAGE/BRAVERY

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Meet a very courageous woman in Malala’s Magic Pencil by Malala Yousafzai. Malala believes that all girls have a right to an education and she continues to be brave and speak her mind.

The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson is about finding courage to take that first step even if it is scary. Because, when you take the first step, it is generally the stepping stone to progress.

Before She Was Harriet by Lesa Cline-Ransome highlights a remarkable and courageous woman who was the voice, eyes, and helper of many.

The Boy and the Whale by Mordicai Gerstein is the story of a young brave boy who single handling cuts a net off of a trapped whale.

When something in life isn’t fair, you have to have the courage to stand up and do something about it. That is just what Ron does in Ron’s Big Mission by Rose Blue when he enters the library and stands up for the right to have his own library card.

The Rooster Who Would Not Be Quiet! by Carmen Agra Deedy is the story of a town that outlawed singing. But, one rooster in town refused to be silenced. No matter the cost, he summoned his courage to persevere and be heard.

Children often can teach us all about bravery and courage. In Let the Children March by Monica Clark-Robinson we meet some remarkable courageous kids who marched in protests agains Jim Crow laws in 1963.

Brave Irene by William Steig is the story of a little girl who braves a storm to deliver a package.  Can she make it?

Standing up to bullies takes courage and bravery.  And, Edna has that in Tyrannosaurus Rex vs Edna The Very First Chicken by Douglas Rees.

Spaghetti on a Hot Dog Bun by Maria Dismondy is all about having the courage to just be YOU.  Be proud that we are all one of a kind.

Drum Dream Girl by Margarita Engle was featured on a past Family Dinner Book Club. It’s the story of a girl who finds the courage to pursue her passion of music in a country where it is frowned upon to be woman musician.

Sometimes when we struggle with being brave, we make excuses for ourselves.  That’s just what happens in The Thing Lou Couldn’t Do by Ashley Spires.

Facing our problems requires courage and that is what is addressed in What Do You Do With a Problem? by Kobi Yamada.

Be Brave, Little Penguin by Giles Andreae is a good pick for preschoolers. Pip-Pip is scared to get into the water for the first time. He imagines that is will be awful, but his mom convinces him to be brave and try. Pip-Pip does and is delighted by what he discovers. Turns out that sometimes we need to be brave and just jump.

Skater Cielo by Rachel Katstaller is the story of a young girl who gets discouraged from learning to skate.  But, with the encouragement of peers, she takes the plunge and keeps trying eventually having success.

Find Your Brave by Apryl Stott has such beautiful illustrations in this book with an uplifting message about acknowledging fear but letting bravery override it. Coco and Bear are supposed to perform a dance routine but Coco has lost her brave. But, an event helps her realize that fear doesn’t have to dominate.

Tiny Jumper: How Tiny Broadwik Created the Parachute Rip Cord by Candy Dahl introduces us to a courageous and quick-thinking woman who loved jumping from planes.  Out of necessity, she is credited with creating the rip cord on a parachute.

If you are looking for a chapter book option, check out Word of Mouse by James Patterson or The Lifters by Dave Eggers.

Get your downloadable printable list of all the books on this list below. Take it to the library or copy it for families.

COURAGE/BRAVERY DISCUSSION STARTERS

Whether you pick one book to read on the list or many, you can use these conversation starters to talk about the character strength of COURAGE/BRAVERY. You can also print the list out below.

-Have you ever been scared of something new?

-What is the bravest thing you have ever done?

-Why do you think some people get nervous about trying new things?

-If you had to explain courage to a young friend, what would you say?

-How did ___________ from the story display courage or bravery?

-Why is it important to be brave and courageous?

PRINT THE COURAGE/BRAVERY BOOK LIST AND DISCUSSION STARTERS

Print out the book list and discussion starters. Take it to the library or copy it for families.

COURAGE/BRAVERY FAMILY DINNER BOOK CLUB

This book list and theme make a great start for families to hold their own Family Dinner Book Club.

What is a Family Dinner Book Club?

Each month:

• On the first of each month, we provide all the details for your dinner.
• Sarah from Chef Sarah Elizabeth shares a themed menu to compliment the theme for the month.
• Laura from Sunny Day Family shares an activity and a family service project.
• And, I share a book list that compliments the themes plus conversation starters.

For our theme of  COURAGE/BRAVERY,  you have found the book list and discussion starters on this page.

Check out the themed menu from Chef Sarah Elizabeth.—> MENU

And, visit Sunny Day Family for a family service project idea and more activities.—> SEE THE COURAGE JAR ACTIVITIES

Also, follow our Family Dinner Book Club Facebook Page.  We love for you to share pictures from your COURAGE/BRAVERY Family Dinner Book Club.