I Am Courage: A Book of Resilience

I Am...

by Susan Verde, Peter H. Reynolds (Illustrator)

Encourage kids to find their inner strength with this companion to the New York Times bestsellers I Am Human and I Am Love !

I move ahead one breath at a time.
I act with bravery.
I am courage.

When we picture someone brave, we might think they’re fearless; but real courage comes from feeling scared and facing what challenges us anyway. When our minds tell us “I can’t,” we can look inside ourselves and find the strength to say, “Yes, I CAN!”

From Susan Verde and Peter H. Reynolds, the New York Times bestselling author-illustrator team behind the I Am series, comes a triumphant celebration of everyday believing in ourselves, speaking out, trying new things, asking for help, and getting back up no matter how many times we may fall. Grounded in mindfulness and awareness, I Am Courage is an empowering reminder that we can conquer anything.

Inside, you’ll also find exercises to inspire confidence.

Also
I Am Human
I Am Love
I Am One
I Am Me
I Am Peace
I Am Yoga

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Self Esteem, Mental Health, 1st Grade, Growth Mindset

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 7, 2021

About the author

Susan Verde is a New York Times bestselling children’s author, children’s yoga and mindfulness expert, former teacher, and parent. By 2022 she will have more than 20 picture books in the marketplace. She is a highly sought after speaker at conferences, festivals, and schools across the nation, and spends half the year on the road working with children and families. Verde is a frequent contributor to online magazines and has appeared on multiple podcasts speaking about writing, parenting, mindfulness, and yoga. She lives in East Hampton, New York.

Reviews

[Rosh · Rating 3 out of 5]

A picture book about positive affirmation on the themes of courage and resilience.
Written in first person, the simple lines are infused with mental reinforcements about going on in times of trouble. The tone fits the title, being more about strength and determination than blind hopefulness or idealism. I appreciate how it highlights that the courageous can also have fear and failure, and that helping others is equally important on the journey towards success. The slow change from first person singular to plural is a good way of highlighting team efforts.
The author's note at the end presents some simple yoga techniques that help build inner peace.
A good option for kids who enjoy reading such topics. Not my kind of book, but I can see its benefit for the right reader. Works for kids aged 4+.
3.5 stars.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is walking a wire on this topic. I think that having an adult read it aloud and elaborating will really help. In the Author's Note at the end, there is a sentence that mentions evaluating a situation's level of danger, but in the meat of the story, that is not addressed well.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great intro to resilience for younger readers

[Ben Truong · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Am Courage: A Book of Resilience is a children's picture book written by Susan Verde and illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds, which empowers children to be their best selves. This is the sixth in the Wellness series following: I Am Yoga, I Am Peace, I Am Human, I Am Love, and I Am One.

Verde's text is rather simple, straightforward, beautiful, and soothing. The text evolves from singular to plural pronouns, ending with the declarations about strength, capabilities, courage, and being triumphant in the face of advisories. Reynolds' illustrations are a vivid array of vibrant backgrounds, evoking the range of moods experienced by the children, who themselves are drawn as distinct individuals with expressive faces.

The premise of the book is rather straightforward and has a soothing aspect. A child with brown skin and straight black hair guides readers through a self-affirming profession of true courage. Far from presenting a perfect display of unwavering bravery, the child reveals that they tumble, waver, doubt, and fear all along the journey of a bike ride when faced with obstacles. The child believes in their own strength and resilience to keep going, which takes visual form in a flame icon on flags that the child shares with friends, helping them to find their own strength and thus emphasizing the role of friends in nurturing this flame, leaning on one other and sharing story about scary and hard things.

All in all, I Am Courage: A Book of Resilience is a wonderful children's book celebrating the true meaning of courage and perfect for young readers who need help believing in themselves.

[Debra Hines · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peter Reynolds and Susan Verde never disappoint. This book for everyone who feels they are less than or not capable enough. As with many of the other I Am books, there is information for kids about meditation and yoga poses after the story. Excellent, as are all the I Am books by Reynolds and Verde.

[The Book Maven · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a nutshell: If Louise Hay's book You Can Heal Your Life had been distilled down to a picture book with diverse characters, this would be the product. A fantastic and necessary addition to every book shelf.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book for readers young and old. Affirming and teaching us that resilience isn't about being fearless but feeling afraid and unsure but taking on the challenge with confidence in onself. A lovely read.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This creative team keeps coming up with nifty picture books that help young readers feel empowered. In this particular one, a young girl sets off on her bicycle despite her fears and worries that the path is uncertain and she might fall. It's clear that sometimes courage involves simply taking one step or moving one pedal forward. And yes, she does fall at some point. But then, she dusts herself off and gets up. And most amazingly, she finds that's perfectly all right to accept help from others as well as offering the same to someone else. This picture book needs to be shared with students of all ages, not just young learners, since all too often, many of us are ready to give up after one tumble or failure. It isn't the falling that should concern us, though, but the fact that we get up and try again, and again. The illustrations, created with ink, gouache, watercolor, and tea, rely on digital and traditional artistic techniques, and capture the fears the narrator faces and overcomes. Back matter includes four yoga poses or breathing exercises to help youngsters become more mindful as well as stronger. It's clear that courage comes in many different forms. Parents, caregivers, and teachers will surely want to share this picture book with youngsters as a reminder of the value of resilience.

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I AM COURAGE: A BOOK OF RESILIENCE is all about encouraging children to stay strong and have courage. It's normal to be scared of things because true courage blossoms when we face that apprehension. This book teaches children to continue moving ahead no matter the challenges that await them and the fears they may spark. To have resilience.

The illustrations are a soft pastel tone that goes along with the overall theme of the book. I love how the darks are the bluish purple that may seem eerie, but the softness of them eases that thought quickly. Because courage is like the popping of colors in that dark place that gives the strength to go on. There isn't a main story because it focuses on courage and what it looks like.


Final Verdict: I AM COURAGE: A BOOK OF RESILIENCE is inspirational and uplifting, so I would recommend it to all children, but especially those going through a rough patch. Preschoolers feeling fear for the first real time would also benefit from it.

[Stephanie Bange · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic addition to this self-building, esteem-building series from Susan Verde and Peter H. Reynolds.

Verde's words are on target with this one. Who hasn't had "butterflies" before getting up before a class to do a report or read aloud? She gives so many great examples of times to dig deep inside oneself for that self-confidence to push oneself outside their comfort zone.

As always, Reynolds' illustrations were created using traditional and digital inks, gouache, watercolor, and tea. They show the determination, bravery, and derring-do of this little boy as he moves through each day doing things that make him uncomfortable.

A must for every library.

Highly Recommended for PreS-grade 5.

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars for this book celebrating failure and trying again - falling down 6 times and getting up 7

[Littlebit Book Club · Rating 5 out of 5]

We lean into the simplistic empowerment provided in this book the way we lean into the yoga poses in the Author's Note. Visit Littlebit Book Club for our roundup of resources for I Am Courage: A Book of Resilience by Susan Verde.

[Ashley Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book a lot very simple to read with a good message. My student didn't particularly enjoy it, he wanted to make fun of it more than read. However I think it's a message every student should read because no matter how many time they fell down they still kept going trying again and trying more things too. I will have this book in my classroom and will read it during testing time and probably in the beginning of the year too.

[MaryAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is just wonderful. The illustrations are engaging and clear. The message in this one is about persevering through difficulties - and helping others when they need help. I really love that it isn't about triumphing over others but doing it together. I also loved that it included a piece about sharing your stories. Somehow it manages to fully be a message book without feeling preachy. Highly recommend for all children.

[Calista · Rating 3 out of 5]

Peter Reynolds does great artwork. I love all the energy and feeling in the artwork. Great colors and it supports the story.

There are about 4 yoga poses at the end she uses to enforce courage. I like that. Susan explain them well.

A book about finding courage within ourselves and dealing with feelings that make us want to shrink. It's a great book for any age. Lots of sage advice. I really love this series. So good.

[Kaelyn Cleevely · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved “I am Peace” so I decided to read “I am courage”, written by the same author. These books can be super helpful for students when going through bad times. This book itself explores how to find courage within yourself. Instead of telling yourself you can’t, start telling yourself you can. Great books!

[Sarah Alamer · Rating 4 out of 5]

We're so proud of you for reading this special book! You learned that courage means being brave even when you feel scared or something seems hard. Remember, you can be courageous every day - when you try new foods, make new friends, or learn something tricky at school. Being brave doesn't mean you're never afraid; it means you try anyway! You're our brave, strong girl. Keep reading and growing!

[Anita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clear, sweet explanation with yoga positions and breathing techniques.

"When I feel uncertain and start to lose my balance, I find my center and gather my strength."

[Casey Fulfs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think that this is such a great book for students to read, it is a great way to show that it is important to be courageous and resilient to be able to stand your ground. Children need to learn about inner strength.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another encouraging book in this series by Verde.
Readers see this child move through difficulties and face challenges and continue to persevere and move forward. They also see her support others on their journeys.

[Hailey West · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story about a unnamed child protagonist who encounters many challenges to teach them resilience. The protagonist shows that if you put your mind to something you'll be able to overcome anything thrown your way. I liked this book and would have in my classroom.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Verde and Reynolds team up once again to bring readers a treatise on perseverance. This one is a good one to read to children who might have a tendency to give up if things become difficult. Also good for kiddos who refuse to try new things b/c they fear they will fail.

[Harry Palacio · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series it has so much to offer in regards to loving of ourselves and it is representative of every culture as one can see they do not leave out any race (yet perhaps genders there are over 50) but over all this is a timeless book series

[Jessica · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was maybe the most absurd of this series that I have read so far. The passage that gets me through difficult times is "I can do all things through him who strengthens me." We don't look to ourselves or have faith in ourselves. We have faith in God.

[Lisa D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well written story of courage and how to find it in yourself.

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring.

[Books, Brews & Booze]

Attending a virtual Picture Book Bonanza with Books of Wonder

[Ellon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like this series but it's starting to get a little repetitive and come off as just a guided meditation, rather than a book with a plot. But I can still see the value in that!

[Awjtf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book!