Common Sense Media Review
By Stephanie Snyder
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Uplifting book teaches mindfulness and facing your fears.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 5+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
In I AM COURAGE: A BOOK ABOUT RESILIENCE, readers follow a main character on a journey to recognizing courage. The character sets off on a bike ride through an unknown area, symbolizing fear of the unknown. Thoughts of fear, doubt, and insecurity creep in, but the character uses mindfulness, breathing techniques, and positive affirmations to change the course of the journey. The character uses constructive "I" statements when experiencing the uncertainty of crossing a bridge or the danger of a lurking animal. The character encounters two friends, and together, they tap into their inner strength. Through teamwork, they're able to create a raft that carries them to their next adventure... or perhaps the next book in the series. I Am Courage ends with an Author's Note conveying the important message that courage is not the absence of fear but action in the face of fear. The author encourages yoga poses and mindfulness techniques for kids to develop courage and includes illustrations and instructions on how to apply them.
Is It Any Good?
This inspiring picture book delivers a simple, strong message that readers of all ages can apply to their lives. I Am Courage: A Book of Resilience is told in a series of positive affirmations that can make this a motivational read-aloud with call-and-response. Parents will appreciate the potential for character building, and kids will appreciate relatable characters and an applicable theme. The Author's Note at the end brings home the message about inner strength, and the sketches of yoga poses and mindfulness techniques make the book's affirming statements attainable for young readers.
The charming illustrations are relatively simple, so as not to take away from the powerful words. Older readers will be able to pick up on the fact that color subtly conveys the mood on each page. Pages depicting fear or hardship are mostly done in hues of blue and purple, while pages revealing courage, resilience, and triumph radiate yellow. This must-read book can have a lasting positive impact on readers.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the meanings of words in I Am Courage: A Book of Resilience. What is courage? What is resilience? Can you think of a time when you or someone you know was brave?
Look at the illustrations on a favorite page. How does this page make you feel? How do you think the character is feeling on this page? What details create those feelings?
Try the yoga poses described in the Author's Note. Which pose is your favorite? Which pose is challenging for you? How does yoga make you feel?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Peter H. Reynolds
- Genre : Picture Book
- Topics : Adventures , Book Characters , Friendship
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Harry N. Abrams
- Publication date : November 28, 2021
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 4 - 8
- Number of pages : 32
- Available on : Nook, Hardback, Kindle
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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