Just Keep Going

by Lynn Smith, Lauren Gallegos (illustrator)

When Mouse sets out on his adventure, he discovers that brave isn't something you are—it's something you do!

Mouse's day is full of big moments and bigger feelings. But with each step forward—jumping to shake off fear, accepting a friend's comforting hug, or simply pausing to breathe—he builds his courage toolkit. Because taking a brave journey doesn't mean you have to be fearless. It means you know how to just keep going.

in her first book for children, former news anchor Lynn Smith, now a media consultant and host of the parenting podcast Strollercoaster, was inspired by her experience coaching Fortune 500 executives. She realized the fears that hold back CEOs aren't that different from what stops a child from raising their hand in class. That's why she wrote Just Keep Going—because resilience shouldn't be a C-suite secret.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Emotion, Animals

38 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 30, 2025

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mouse needs to get home and has some big feelings about it. Luckily, he meets a number of friends along the way who offer advice and encouragement.

This is a social-emotional winner with a soft dreamy touch to the illustrations, and appealing animal characters. The characters talk through strategies to calm your body and self-soothe, which is really helpful to little ones struggling with self-regulation. It's not such a bad reminder for the grown-ups reading, either.

A good one to wind down at bedtime or for tough moments.

[Katie Reilley]

Thank you to Sourcebooks for the printed ARC.

Perfect for early childhood to first grade readers, this SEL picture book follows sweet Mouse and his big feelings as he travels through the forest. When he’s feeling afraid, overwhelmed, facing something new, or frustrated, his forest friends give him coping strategies such as movement, deep breathing, pressure hugs, or visualizing to help him get through each moment.

“Because taking a brave journey doesn’t mean you have to be fearless. It means you know how to just keep going.”

Publishing 9/30/25.

[Jordan Cattley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Sourcebooks Kids and NetGalley for an ARC of Just Keep Going by Lynn Smith!

Everyday has its challenges, and its ups and downs. This picture book really embodies being brave, strong and persevering when things get hard or don't go how you imagined. It also really highlights the importance of slowing down in the day to day and take one day at a time.

This is accompanied by beautiful illustrations and colours that will really engage children in the purpose of the story, especially following along with a cute mouse!

[Stephanie Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book about a little mouse who was encouraged by his animal friends to keep moving forward, even when he was frightened or doubted himself. I believe children and adults alike will enjoy this story for the positive message it sends. After all, can't we ALL use some encouragement to just keep going when times get tough? The illustrations are also beautiful. I would recommend it to everyone.

(DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this title from NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own).

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

The delightful pictures in the book by former news anchor Lynn Smith and seasoned illustrator Lauren Gallegos will be sure to catch the eye of children. Young and old alike can sympathize with Mouse, who isn't sure how to overcome his fear and nervousness at frightening and unexpected situations.

As mouse travels through his day, he encounters a variety of friendly advice and encouragement on how to breathe and 'just keep going'.

Recommended for youngsters unsure of how to cope with their surroundings, and anyone who gets anxious at times.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Anxiety is for everyone! This book follows Mouse through his anxiety as he's trying to be brave and keep going on a journey, even as he faces scary and new situations. With the help of the friends he meets along the way, Mouse finds ways to cope with the feelings bubbling up inside of him. Whether it's hugs, deep breathing, or jumping around until you feel better, the tools offered in this story are accessible to younger kids who may not have the vocabulary to identify their feelings well.

[Melanie Dulaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated picture book with a sweet mouse going through the day experiencing some big feelings-fear, frustration, insecurity, etc-with forest friends giving him coping strategies for each. Could be used in a counselor’s office or during classroom SEL lessons with plenty of opportunity to add in some forest related vocabulary about habitat and animals living there. Highly recommended for ages 2-8.

[Bonnie Grover · Rating 3 out of 5]

Every great adventure has its challenges. Mouse’s day is full of big moments and even bigger feelings. Each step forward is hard, but friends along the way show him how to do things that help like jumping up and down to shake off worries, accepting a hug wrapped in comfort, and learning when to pause to breathe. Because taking a brave journey doesn’t mean you have to be fearless. It means you know how to just keep going.

[Little Bitts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just Keep Going is a picture book about a mouse who experiences a lot of big feelings and must figure out how to persevere, with the help of others along the way. This would be a good book for younger kids, but the illustrations would probably grab the attention of most age ranges. I see this being used in an early elementary setting.

Thanks to Sourcebooks Kids and NetGalley for an eARC of this book for an honest review.

[Maria McGrath · Rating 3 out of 5]

This would be a great bedtime book that can encourage reflection and instill coping tools, leading to better emotional regulation for little people. The magical forest setting and bright color palette are soothing and enchanting. This will also serve well in any early childhood SEL collection and for class discussions, and the title is a great mantra.

[Jessie Tuttle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The message this book gives off is a cute and needed message for children of all ages in my opinion. When the mouse is heading back he is met with lots of challenges and needs the encouragement from hsi friends. His friends help teach him to keep going and power through and to not give up. This book could be read to all ages because the message is powerful.

[Patricia Alvarado-Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many kids are confident and always ready for the next adventure. Then there are kids who feel shy, anxious, and worried about everything. Mouse is the latter—and with help from wise friends, he learns big feelings are normal and he can still take the next step and keep going. Vibrant illustrations by Lauren Gallegos mirror Mouse’s emotions throughout.
Best for early learners through 3rd grade.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little mouse has various issues on their journey. Other animals come along with helpful suggestions to remind them to just keep going. The message of this book is simple and done before. What makes this book stand out are the illustrations. They’re soft and happy but convey the emotions the mouse is feeling at the same time. They have a glow that kids will want to experience.

[Nichole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was great! In the library or classroom, I would pair it with The Rabbit Listened to discuss different strategies of giving advice AND how to deal with big emotions.

[Abby Carothers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book did a great job at encouraging kids to keep going when things get hard. It's a great lesson to implement in a young age classroom. I love how it encouraged kids to find creative ways to solve a problem.

[Elle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mouse’s friends model activities to help regulate feelings for him and readers.

[SashaMeyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really cute.

[Sarah Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly so cute and a good book for even adults to read when going through a rough patch.

[Libby Burak · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book follows a mouse and we see all the struggles that he faces, but he has friends along they way that help him get through the challenges.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

powerful message

[Colorado Buck · Rating 4 out of 5]

good for adults as well as kids, encouraging little number, breathing stuff in there.

[Miss Janis the Storytime Lady · Rating 3 out of 5]

fine. Nothing really exciting, but a nice mindfulness story

[Lynne Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good advice through and through although a bit tell-y as a picture book story. Great takeaway value though for the reader with anxiety.