It can be hard for little ones to face their fears when everything in the world is new. So having friends and family by your side to help you is important while facing fears. Today I decided to gather a list of children’s books about bravery that share how friends and family can help you through scary times.

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Be Brave, Little Penguin

Written by Giles Andrae and illustrated by Guy Parker-Rees

Little Penguin Pip-Pip is afraid to jump in the water and swim like his friends. His mother offers him comforting words that encourage him to think positively and swallow his fears. With her help and guidance, he learns how to be brave and face what scares him. The rhyming text has a peppy rhythm, and the illustrations tell the story through bright colors and adorable penguin characters.

Be Brave, Little Tiger!*

Written by Margaret Wise Brown and illustrated by Jean Claude

A little tiger is frightened by everything around him, and he is too afraid to jump in the water and play with his friends. He shakes so much that his father warns him that he will shake his stripes off. However, his parents soon explain to him that everyone is afraid of something. By witnessing a big elephant face his own fears, they teach him the importance of not letting fear hold you back. The text shares the lesson in a manner that is easy for kids to grasp, while the colorful illustrations and sweet animal characters are sure to entertain young ones.

Vacation for Dexter!*

Written and illustrated by Lindsay Ward

Dexter T. Rexter is an adorable dinosaur who is traveling to Florida with his best friend Jack. They are both so excited to go on vacation. However, they both get a little nervous when they find out they are going on a plane. Together they find a way to keep themselves entertained and forget about their fears. The sweet story shows the reader how a good friend can help you to feel brave and that sticking together can help you get through tough times. The illustrations are full of fun notations, and kids will recognize the strong emotions that Dexter and Jack are feeling.

Ollie on Stage*

Written by Keith Brockett and illustrated by Ashley King

When Ollie the ogre finds out that there is going to be a talent show, he is excited to be part of it. However, he doesn’t know what talents he has. He asks his friends to help him try different activities. But when he is brave enough to be himself, he finds his true talent. The rhyming text is full of funny situations, and the brightly colored illustrations and funny ogre character will keep kids laughing along while they learn about being true to oneself.

Related Post: 12 Books That Celebrate Being Yourself

How I Learned to Fall Out of Trees*

Written by Vincent Kirsch

Roger and Adelia are best friends. When Adelia announces that she is moving away, she also tells Roger that she is going to teach him how to climb a tree before she leaves. Roger is afraid of falling, but Adelia assures him that she will teach him how to do that as well. As they gather soft items for him to land on, they also reminisce about the times they have spent together. In the end, she shares the secret of climbing which also rings true for the difficult tasks of growing up and moving on. This heartwarming tale is paired with sweet illustrations that celebrate all of the fun that the two friends have during the various seasons which most kids will recognize from their own friendships.

Bearnard’s Book*

Written by Deborah Underwood and illustrated by Misa Saburi

Bearnard is a bear who longs to star in his own story. When he is given the chance, he is suddenly worried that he can’t do it. His friend Gertie helps him to face his fears, and together they try to reenact several other books about bears to prepare him. In the end, Bearnard doesn’t think that he is ready, but his friend is there to remind him how ready he really is. The illustrations are simple, using a soothing muted color palette. They are also full of nods to familiar characters and stories that kids will recognize.

Related Post: Be the Star of Your Own Story with Bearnard!

Wake Up, Color Pup*

Written and illustrated by Taia Morley

In this simple story, Pup is a sweet white dog who is led on an adventure by a little yellow bird. As the bird and Pup make their way through the woods, they encounter all kinds of beautiful colors, and Pup’s white fur picks up each one. When a scary storm approaches, Pup is frightened and the world turns dark. However, with the help of the little yellow bird, he learns to face his fear and finds beauty and fun in the wake of the storm. The text is very simple, with only a few words per page. The illustrations are the real focus, using vibrant colors and darkness to highlight the emotions felt by Pup.

Brave Enough for Two: A Hoot & Olive Story*

Written and illustrated by Jonathon D. Voss

This adorable story about a little girl named Olive and her stuffed owl friend named Hoot is a testament to the power of friendship between kids and their stuffed toys. As Hoot and Olive go on their adventure together, they learn about the importance of having courage and leaning on friends for strength. The story is full of important lessons, and the illustrations are gorgeous. The sidebars include simple sketches, and the full page paintings use beautiful colors and textures to tell the story.

Check out the fun activities we paired with this beautiful book!

How do teach your kids about bravery? Do you have any favorite children’s books about bravery? Share them in the comments below!