Take a risk, be kind, be fierce and be curious
New experiences, life changes, and growing up can, at times, be overwhelmingly hard to navigate — and full of surprises.
For the kids: As you start up school again after what seems like an eternity, adjust to new routines, and make new friends, don’t forget to be kind to others (and yourself), be fierce (each day), and be curious (about the world around you).
For the grown-ups: with changes come challenges and those can seem risky, but not all risks need to be avoided. Learn how to take risks with your kids safely and why.
Here are some books about facing change with courage and curiosity.
‘I Walk with Vanessa: A Story about A Simple Act of Kindness’ by Kerascoët
This wordless picture book will have you pouring over the illustrations, set in grey vignettes in the beginning matching the characters feelings and brighter colors later on as kindness grows and grows. The story begins with a new kid in school, followed by bullying, an act of kindness from a classmate, and the power of standing up for what’s right. A perfect opportunity to talk about topics such as bullying, allyship, and kindness while using your own words to describe what is happening on each page. Notes at the end for children and adults serve as helpful lenses to look through when reading (and re-reading) this story.
‘I Will Be Fierce!’ by
Bea Birdsong, illustrated by Nidhi Chanani
Each day is a new adven
ture in this story that follows a young girl who takes on the world with ferocity and a can-do mentality. Her imagination helps her navigate her world and anxieties: clothes (armor), backpack (treasure chest), and school bus (manyheaded serpent). The sayings on each double-page spread are part reminder that you can do it, part personal motto. This book presents relatable everyday activities that can be a struggle — getting up in the morning & going to school — and encourages you to be true to yourself, kind to others, and take time to recharge. A message we can all benefit from.
‘Lawrence in the Fall’
by Matthew Farina, illustrated by Doug Salati
Lawrence is sad after school when he realizes he doesn’t have a collection to share with classmates during show-and-tell. His papa suggests they explore the forest to find something. During their adventure they come across a spider collecting bugs and a river collecting rocks, but none quite fit. Then Lawrence gets separated from papa during a rainstorm which is scary at first, but then something wonderful happens: a leaf falls down on him and it’s beautiful! What other leaves can he collect? What will his classmates think at school? The warm, earth tone illustrations make this a great pick for reading together and may serve as the spark for your own adventure. What will you collect?
Turnbull
‘50 Risks to Take With Your Kids’ by Daisy
Letting your kids take risks can sound scary and challenges can sound more like looming disasters. So how do you support your kids taking risks? And why should you? The author, Turnbull, suggests 50 risks and the benefits they hold for both your child and yourself. So take a risk and dive into this easily digestible read about how careful risk taking can build resilience & confidence, help practice managing emotions, and develop healthy social skills. Some of the risks you may be taking already — clean up their own mess. Where others may be new territory — forget to pack undies. Not all of the risks are for the kids, parents need to take risks too — show weakness. Whatever the risk, Turnbull illustrates how you can incorporate it “into your day-to-day activities.