Brave Like Mom
What’s inside...
The story follows a young girl who finds inspiration in the bravery and resilience of her mother. Together, they tackle everyday challenges, leading the girl to appreciate her mother's strength and develop her own courage. As one girl watches her mom battle illness, she sees Mom being strong, brave, and fierce on both good days and bad ones. Mom is fierce as she catches and wrestles a fish and brave as she endures needles from the doctor. The girl wants to be brave like Mom! As she worries about her mom's health, the girl realizes that bravery comes in many forms and that she can be brave too. A poignant and sensitive story about a loved one living with a chronic illness, and an important lesson about how being brave doesn't mean you aren't scared.
Age
6-8
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Child
Mom
Discussion points
What are some ways the mom in the book showed bravery? Can you think of a time when you were brave like that?
How did the characters in the story overcome their fears? Have you ever faced a similar situation?
What do you think makes someone brave? Do you have other examples of bravery?
How do you feel when you do something courageous?
What can we do to help each other feel brave in tough situations?
Tip: Role play these questions
Set a comfortable and quiet environment to talk about the themes in the book.
Show genuine interest in your child’s responses and encourage them to elaborate on their thoughts.
Relate personal stories of bravery to make the conversation more relatable and impactful.
Praise your child’s thoughtful answers and courage in talking about their feelings and ideas.
Guide the conversation to connect the themes of the book with real-life applications, fostering a deeper understanding and personal connection.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Courage
Explanation: The story illustrates courage through the child protagonist, who emulates the bravery demonstrated by their mother in daily situations.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to face their fears and challenges confidently, whether it’s trying out for a school play, standing up for a friend, or facing their first day at school.
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: The book portrays the mother showing kindness and understanding towards others, which the child begins to mimic.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to be considerate and understand the feelings of their peers and family members, enhancing social interactions and emotional intelligence.
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: Through the mother's consistent effort to overcome obstacles, the story teaches the importance of perseverance.
Real-World Application: This lesson can inspire children to keep trying and not give up on their tasks and goals, from completing a difficult homework assignment to learning a new skill in sports or arts.
Example Lesson: Resilience
Explanation: The mother's ability to adapt and recover from setbacks is a central theme, serving as a model for resilience.
Real-World Application: Children learn to bounce back from minor setbacks, like losing a game or dealing with a change in plans, maintaining a positive outlook.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: The child observes their mother taking care of family and work responsibilities, learning the value of being responsible.
Real-World Application: Kids are encouraged to take small responsibilities, such as completing their chores or taking care of a pet, fostering a sense of reliability and accountability.