Empowering Stories That Celebrate Bravery, Strength, and Inner Confidence
Courage isn’t just about facing danger—it’s about speaking up, trying new things, and staying true to yourself. Books about courage help children understand that bravery can look different for everyone and that even small acts of courage can make a big difference.
In this post, I’m sharing my favorite courage books for kids, organized by age group. I’ve also included meaningful activities and open-ended questions to help kids recognize and celebrate bravery in themselves and others. Let me know which book sparks the boldest conversation in your learning space!
***Disclosure: This post contains an Amazon affiliate link that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission when you purchase through the link from my blog. Thank you for your support!
Table of Content
- Why Read Books About Courage?
- The Role of Books in Teaching Kids about Courage
- 11 Courage Books For Children
- What Courage Book(s) Are You Going To Read Later?
Why Read Books About Courage?
Courage books show kids that being brave doesn’t mean not feeling afraid—it means acting with heart, even when something is hard.
These stories often feature characters who take risks, stand up for others, or face new situations with determination. By seeing different types of bravery in action, kids learn that courage comes in many forms—and that they are capable of it too.
Reading about courage helps children grow in confidence, resilience, and self-belief.
The Role of Books in Teaching Kids about Courage
Books about courage help children build emotional strength and decision-making skills.
Through powerful narratives, kids explore what it means to do the right thing, face fears, or bounce back from failure. These stories also teach empathy, as readers learn to understand and support brave characters—even when they’re scared.
Courage books often touch on social justice, friendship, trying new things, and standing up for what’s right—all essential life lessons.
How to Use Books about Courage with Children
Here are a few ways to help kids connect with courage through story:
- 🦁 Ask Open-Ended Questions: After reading, ask: What was the bravest thing the character did? or Have you ever done something that felt scary but important? In class, Turn and Talk helps build confidence in sharing.
- 🎨 Engage in Courage-Themed Activities: Make bravery badges, write about a time they were courageous, or role-play different “what would you do?” scenarios. You can also create a classroom courage wall with examples of brave moments.
- 📚 Refer Back to the Books: When kids face a challenge, connect it to a story. Say: Remember when the character in our book kept going even when they were afraid? You can try something brave too!
- 👨👩👧 Involve Other Caregivers: Send courage books home and encourage families to talk about brave moments in their own lives. They can also create a “family courage jar” where they write down acts of bravery—big or small—throughout the week.
11 Courage Books For Children
Younger Children (Ages 3-6)
#1 Be Brave Little One by Marianne Richmond
🔗 View on Amazon
A heartfelt reminder that bravery can look different for everyone, from small everyday acts to big dreams.
Activity Suggestion: Make a bravery badge for yourself with paper and markers.
Discussion Questions:
- What is one brave thing you’ve done?
- How does the book show that being brave can mean different things?
- Who is someone brave that you look up to?
#2 Brave As Can Be by Jo Witek
🔗 View on Amazon
This empowering book explores how we grow into bravery as we face new challenges.
Activity Suggestion: Create a “brave list” of things you’ve done that used to feel scary.
Discussion Questions:
- How does the girl in the story become brave?
- What helps you when you feel scared?
- Can you name something you’re braver about now than last year?
#3 Two Courageous Caterpillars by Anna Smithers
🔗 View on Amazon
Follow two little caterpillars learning to overcome fear and embrace change together.
Activity Suggestion: Make your own caterpillar using pom-poms and talk about how it changes into a butterfly.
Discussion Questions:
- Why were the caterpillars scared?
- What helped them feel brave?
- What big changes have you been through?
Lower Elementary Children (Ages 7-9)
#4 Fern the Fearful Fox by Liz Kohler Brown
🔗 View on Amazon
Fern learns that even small steps can lead to big bravery in this woodland adventure.
Activity Suggestion: Draw Fern and write a new brave adventure for her.
Discussion Questions:
- What was Fern afraid of?
- How did Fern find her courage?
- What would you tell Fern to help her feel brave?
#5 I Am Courage by Susan Verde
🔗 View on Amazon
An uplifting story reminding kids that courage comes from within, even when things are hard.
Activity Suggestion: Make a “courage card” with your favorite brave saying or mantra.
Discussion Questions:
- What does it mean to be courageous?
- How can we be brave even when we’re scared?
- What helps you keep going when something is tough?
#6 When You Are Brave by Pat Zietlow Miller
🔗 View on Amazon
A poetic look at finding inner light and confidence during moments of change or fear.
Activity Suggestion: Draw your “brave light” and describe what helps it shine.
Discussion Questions:
- What change made the character nervous?
- How did she find her bravery?
- What lights you up inside when you need courage?
Check Out Capybara-Theme Daily Reflection Journals For Kids!
#7 Courage by Bernard Waber
🔗 View on Amazon
This classic gently shows that courage appears in many everyday actions, big and small.
Activity Suggestion: Create a class or family “wall of courage” with everyone’s brave moments.
Discussion Questions:
- What small acts of courage did you notice in the book?
- Can ordinary things be brave too?
- What brave thing could you try today?
Upper Elementary Children (Ages 9-11)
#8 Courage Like Kate by Anna Crowley Redding
🔗 View on Amazon
Based on a true story of a young lighthouse keeper who saved lives with determination and strength.
Activity Suggestion: Build a lighthouse craft with paper and talk about standing tall.
Discussion Questions:
- Why was Kate a hero?
- What makes real-life stories of courage powerful?
- Would you have been brave enough to do what Kate did?
#9 Drum Dream Girl by Margarita Engle
🔗 View on Amazon
Inspired by the true story of a girl who dreamed of playing drums when only boys were allowed to.
Activity Suggestion: Make your own mini drum or rhythm stick and play a confidence beat.
Discussion Questions:
- What made the girl’s dream brave?
- How did she change people’s minds?
- Have you ever wanted to do something others thought you couldn’t?
#10 The Courage of the Little Hummingbird by Leah Henderson
🔗 View on Amazon
This fable shows that even the smallest effort can make a big difference.
Activity Suggestion: Write or draw one small act of courage that can help your community.
Discussion Questions:
- What does the hummingbird teach the other animals?
- Can small actions change big things?
- What’s something small and brave you’ve done?
#11 The Little Yellow Leaf by Carin Berger
🔗 View on Amazon
A story about a leaf not quite ready to let go—until it finds a friend to leap with.
Activity Suggestion: Collect fall leaves and write something brave on each one.
Discussion Questions:
- Why was the little leaf scared?
- What helped the leaf be brave?
- Have you ever been helped by a friend to do something hard?
Grab these free resources to make your teaching life easier!
What Courage Book(s) Are You Going To Read Later?
Courage books for kids remind us that bravery doesn’t always roar—sometimes it’s a quiet step forward, a kind word, or trying again. These powerful stories give children the tools and inspiration to face life with strength and heart.
Which courageous tale will you read next? Tag me on Instagram @LittleYellowStarTeaches and share your favorite stories, brave moments, or acts of courage in your classroom or home.
Happy reading!
Prima at LittleYellowStar
* * *
Other Blog Posts That You Might Enjoy:
- 15 Minutes Daily Social And Emotional Learning Activities For The Classroom (SEL Made Easy)
- How To Offer Growth Mindset Praise Effectively
- 3 Activities To Introduce Growth Mindset
