Why Do I Feel Scared?: A First Look at Being Brave

by Pat Thomas, Lesley Harker (Illustrator)

Introduces young readers to the importance of being brave in different ways, even when it is uncomfortable or scary, and advises them that being scared of some things is normal, but they can still show courage when they are afraid.

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books

29 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2010

About the author

There is more than one Pat Thomas in the Goodreads catalog. This entry focuses on Pat^Thomas, children's author.

Pat is a trained psychotherapist, naturopath and journalist. After working as a journalist and broadcaster in the USA, she now works in the field of child development and writes for various publications including 'Practical Parenting'.

Reviews

[Kate Bretey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great little picture book that teaches what being brave is really about. The illustrations in the book are everyday settings; classrooms, playgrounds, and the home. They all depict certain aspects of being brave; standing up for someone who cannot stand up for themselves, telling the truth, that being different is okay and that you should embrace individuality, etc. What I thought was a really good teaching tool was that inserted every few pages are prompts for the reader. They ask questions such as, "What about you? Have you done anything brave? Can you think of a time when you kept trying even when it was hard?" The book teaches that being brave is not just about being strong, but that it is also about people having real fears and overcoming them. This is a great book for any student in the elementary setting who is having a hard time with other kids; those who are being bullied. It is also a great book for those who are doing the bullying because a lot of the time, they are scared and insecure, which is why they bully and push others around. It is an easy way of telling kids in a non-intimidating way that we are all different, that things seem scary just because they are new or different or difficult. The book can help kids build courage that they may not have or it could provide that extra little push a kid needs to feel secure about themselves.

Thomas, Pat, and Lesley Harker. Why Do I Feel Scared?: A First Look at Being Brave. Hauppauge, NY: Barrons, 2010. Print.