You Are Brave

April 1, 2024
Being brave doesn't mean being unafraid. Every day, O'Hair says, we meet talented people who do what makes them happy; Cardoso's illustrations depict a guitarist, a baker, and a veterinarian. But before they became amazing, they had to make the "tough decision" to try something new, which meant they had to be brave. Being courageous "means you are afraid, but you do the scary thing anyway!" The first attempt "may not be perfect," O'Hair notes as an aspiring cook's concoction bubbles over on the stove and another child becomes frustrated by attempts at knitting, but "that doesn't mean you should give up." Importantly, the author also stresses that bravery entails "asking for help when you need it," "knowing when it's time to take a break," and being yourself. Nor do readers have to be the best. What matters is finding something they love and attempting it; after all, "Nobody is great at everything. But EVERYONE is good at SOMETHING." Cheery cartoon illustrations portray children who are diverse in ability, race, and religion engaging in activities including sports, gardening, and painting. Sofia Sanchez, a teenage Ukrainian American actor and model with Down syndrome who inspired this book (as well as several other works by O'Hair and Cardoso), concludes with a "bravery scrapbook." Color photos depict events that required Sofia to be brave, including shooting a commercial, attending sleep-away camp for the first time, and getting her tonsils taken out. An encouraging, inclusive invitation to give new activities a whirl. (Picture book. 4-6)

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