Bravery Soup by Maryann Cocca-Leffler

32 p., Whitman, 2002. When you're determined, you can discover your courage. Carlin, a little raccoon, is afraid of everything. His friend tells him he need some bravery, which he can get from Big Bear, "the bravest animal in all the land." Big Bear is making Bravery Soup, but he needs Carlin to get an important ingredient for him. To do this, Carlin has to travel alone through the a forest to a cave on a mountain, where a monster lives, and bring back a box. He's frightened, but Big Bear tells him, "You are braver than you think." His friends outfit him for the journey with things that are meant to help him, but just increase his awareness of the dangers he'll face. They worry about him, and eventually follow him into the forest. What they see convinces them that Carlin has come to danger. But it turns out that he hasn't - and in fact, the forest is a lot less dangerous than they'd led him to believe. He finds the cave, where the monster turns out to be human, and to be afraid of Carlin. Carlin realizes this possibility, and asks for the box, which he receives. He runs down the mountain, finding his friends along the way, and back to Big Bear. It turns out that the box is empty. Big Bear explains that Carlin's journey was worthwhile because he has faced his fears. "It is not what is inside the BOX that makes bravery. it is what is inside of YOU!" Carlin happily claims his bravery. This wonderful story is illustrated with charming, expressive acrylic paintings. With Carlin, children will learn that they have courage, even when it's unacknowledged. Ages 3-8

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