Product Description

What is courage? Certainly it takes courage for a firefighter to rescue someone trapped in a burning building, but there are many other kinds of courage too. Everyday kinds that normal, ordinary people exhibit all the time, like "being the first to make up after an argument," or "going to bed without a nightlight." Bernard Waber explores the many varied kinds of courage and celebrates the moments, big and small, that bring out the hero in each of us.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #34039 in Books
• Published on: 2002-10-28
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 40 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780618238552
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

From Publishers Weekly
In this poignant yet entertaining volume, versatile author and artist Waber (The Mouse That Snored) takes a look at the various ways in which kids, the occasional grown-up and one endearing canine display bravery. "There are many kinds of courage," the narrative begins. "Awesome kinds" appears on a spread of trapeze artists; "everyday kinds" depicts a boy who summons the confidence to jump off a high dive. Minimal yet artfully crafted text and sprightly art reveal some gutsy acts that all youngsters will identify with: taking that first bike ride without training wheels, explaining the rip in a brand-new pair of pants. The author's observations range from lighthearted ("Courage is deliberately stepping on sidewalk cracks") to those worthy of reflection ("Courage is being the first to make up after an argument"). Waber's wit infuses many of the pages, including one from a dog's viewpoint: a "Beware of Dog" sign adorns the front lawn of a house while, inside, a pooch quakes listening to eerie sounds "Courage is it's your job to check out the night noises in the house." On the affecting, timely penultimate spread, scenes of firefighters and a police officer on the job ("Courage is being a firefighter, or a police officer") appear opposite the image of a mother and two children watching a plane take off ("Courage is sometimes having to say goodbye"). Uncovering an array of triumphs and fears, this is a natural read-aloud likely to spark valuable adult-child dialogue and to help youngsters conquer their own fears. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 3-Focusing on a variety of scenarios, from the serious ("Courage is being the first to make up after an argument") to the more lighthearted ("Courage is tasting the vegetable before making a face"), Waber introduces children to the many ways to define this character trait. One or two statements appear on each page, accompanied by a whimsical pen-and-ink and watercolor illustration that offers an amusing interpretation of the captionlike text. Some examples seem to fit attributes other than courage more precisely ("Courage is two candy bars and saving one for tomorrow"), but children will certainly relate to most of them. A good read-aloud to spark conversation about what courage is and isn't, and the many forms it takes.
Jessica Snow, Boston Public Library
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
K-Gr. 3. Veteran author-illustrator Waber offers a simple book with a complex message, illustrated with his familiar combination of crayon-colored sweetness and agitated line. The statement, "There are many kinds of courage," begins the book; the illustration shows a skater in full extension in the air, her head and arms held high. "Everyday kinds" of courage are illustrated by a small boy hesitating and then diving off the board into a pool, and courage is also "nobody better pick on your little brother." Boys and girls and even dogs in this book practice the virtue: "Courage is breaking bad habits" shows a dog trying to refrain from attacking a very agitated cat. Some of the displays of courage stretch the concept--saving a candy bar for the morrow or not peeking to see whodunit at the end of a mystery--but mostly Waber succeeds in illustrating an abstraction in concrete ways that will resonate with children. Firefighters and police officers and the courage to say good-bye end the book: "Courage is what we give to each other." GraceAnne DeCandido
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Customer Reviews

The Many Faces Of Courage
As Maya Angelou has said "One isn't necessarily born with courage, but one is born with potential." If you agree with this philosophy, then you realize that courage, as character, must be fostered and developed.

Bernard Waber's book works so well because it shows young readers the many faces of courage. There are the obvious kinds -firefighters entering a burning building, mountain climbers scaling the heights - involving people and actions which youngsters find heroic, larger than life-size. But children will realize, thanks to this insightful book, that ordinary, everday actions also require courage, whether it's breaking bad habits, holding on to your dreams, or being the first to apologize after an argument. Even acts of common courtesy may display courage in action.

This book encourages youngsters to go on in the face of adversity and feel good about themselves for doing so. It should serve as an excellent starting point for parents to discuss this important topic with their children.

[...]

To paraphrase Maya Angelou once more, "Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can't be kind, true, merciful, generous, or honest."

Those who read Courage will undoubtedly agree.

I just bought 3 copies
A friend in Maine showed me this book, which she'd just bought for all her grandchildren and children, when I was visiting her last week. I promptly ordered one for each of my adult children to give them next Christmas.
It's a honey of a book, detailing courage in all its permutations. Written as a children's book, it could leap the gap (like Pooh, and Where the Wild Things Are, and many of Dr. Seuss' books) into classic adult enjoyment status.
Give it a try.

We're All Heroes.....
As Bernard Waber tells us on the first few pages of this sweet and engaging little book... "There are many kinds of courage. Awesome kinds. And everyday kinds. Still, courage is courage-whatever kind..." You don't have to have a dangerous job, like a firefighter or policeman to be courageous, and you don't have to climb Mt Everest, or fly into outer space, or explore the depths of the ocean. We all show how brave we are in special ways, every day. Courage is taking off the training wheels and finally learning to ride your bike, going to bed without a nightlight, and being the first to make up after an argument. Courage is getting a new haircut, never telling a secret entrusted to only you, and walking right up to the new kid and introducing yourself. You're courageous if you taste the new vegetable first before you make a disgusting face, or if you read the whole mystery without turning to the last page to see who did it. And sometimes it takes courage to start all over again, or hold on to your dream.....Mr Waber's simple, clever text is enhanced by his playful and humorous artwork, and youngsters are sure to see both the truth and a little of themselves on each page. Perfect for kids 4-8, Courage is a heartwarming and utterly charming book, sometimes poignant, often uplifting, but always stated in a positive way, that should get little ones thinking and open interesting discussions. "Courage is what we give to each other."