Dare to Be Daring: A Picture Book

by Chelsea Lin Wallace, Lian Cho (Illustrator)

Overview

From rising star Chelsea Lin Wallace and illustrator Lian Cho comes Dare to Be Daring, a rhyming, rollicking picture book read-aloud about facing your fears, big or small—perfect for fans of I Am Courage and Max the Brave.

Today I will dare to be daring.
You say this is pea and beef stew?
It’s green and it’s grimy.
It moved! And it’s slimy!
“I did it! I ate something new!”

From tasting a new food to a trip to the dentist (or the basement!), this picture book is an invitation to be brave in the face of what feels scary. Big or small, fears can feel overwhelming. What if I say “hi” but my new friend doesn’t say “hi” back? What if I get back on my bike and I fall again? What is that sound in the basement, anyway?!

Kids are courageous at heart, and every time they dare to be daring, they learn—with a little bit more certainty—that they are brave enough to try just about anything.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781419760679
Publisher:	Abrams Books for Young Readers
Publication date:	07/16/2024
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	8.60(w) x 10.60(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Chelsea Lin Wallace is a children’s author, poet, and former elementary school teacher with a master’s in education. She is the author of A Home Named Walter and Ode to a Bad Day, among other books for children. When she isn’t busy writing for kids, she can be found cheering them on—coaching volleyball, directing musicals, and encouraging them through their ups and downs. Chelsea is scared of spiders, but she dares to save them with a sheet of paper and a cup when they are in her home. She lives in Los Angeles, California, with her husband, her daughter, Charlee, and her dog, Lucky. Lian Cho is the author and illustrator of many goofy books. She was born in Taiwan and spent her childhood among the sheep in New Zealand. Lian now works in Brooklyn and spends her days covered in paint and drinking tea. In her spare time, she likes to make funny comics for her newsletter and bake copious amounts of banana bread.

Editorial Reviews

"The creators have come up with an excellent book for caregivers and children who are struggling with their fears, for discussion or as a guide to pushing through."

School Library Journal

***STARRED REVIEW***
"Addressing our fears has never been this fun...a robust read-aloud and an excellent primer on modeling courage and thoughtful behavior...A fiercely reassuring, wonderfully whimsical ode to courage in the face of uncertainty."

Kirkus

"Lin Wallace’s upbeat rhymes riff on the titular phrase to encourage bravery in the face of various experiences via this upbeat picture book. Relatable, motivating messaging seems sure to strengthen readers’ resolve."

Kirkus Reviews

***STARRED REVIEW***
"Addressing our fears has never been this fun...a robust read-aloud and an excellent primer on modeling courage and thoughtful behavior...A fiercely reassuring, wonderfully whimsical ode to courage in the face of uncertainty."


—Kirkus

"The creators have come up with an excellent book for caregivers and children who are struggling with their fears, for discussion or as a guide to pushing through."—School Library Journal

"Lin Wallace’s upbeat rhymes riff on the titular phrase to encourage bravery in the face of various experiences via this upbeat picture book. Relatable, motivating messaging seems sure to strengthen readers’ resolve."—Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

★ 2024-04-05
Addressing our fears has never been this fun.

A group of diverse children try to overcome their anxieties. Each spread starts off with the same invocation—“Today, I will dare to be daring”—followed by a description of a daunting situation, from trying unfamiliar foods (“You say this is pea and beef stew?") and learning to ride a bicycle (“I may topple and tumble and flop. / But the second I’m at it, / my soul is ecstatic!”) to meeting new people (and pets) and going to the dentist. Threaded throughout the narrative is the hilarious yet relatable story of a terrified youngster who attempts several times to descend the stairs into a deep, dark, and positively creepy-looking basement. Wallace’s text has a bouncy rhythm to it, which makes for both a robust read-aloud and an excellent primer on modeling courage and thoughtful behavior. Cho’s gouache and colored pencil illustrations add levity. The kids she depicts are utterly expressive, their looks of pinched terror eventually turning into pure exuberance. Each spread focuses on a different child; youngsters from earlier scenes periodically show up to make cameos, adding to the community feel of the story. None of the characters are gendered, with the exception of a male dog, who just wants some attention for being a good boy.

A fiercely reassuring, wonderfully whimsical ode to courage in the face of uncertainty. (Picture book. 3-7)

Kirkus Reviews