Emma's Book of Courage is an inspirational children’s picture book written by Emma Lindberg and illustrated by Krystal Smith. What is courage? Six-year-old Emma Lindberg has very definite ideas on what courage means to her, and she wrote this book to share her ideas with other children. Courage can mean different things. One big definition is trying new things. For Emma, this means trying different foods, even though the new tastes may be a bit scary at first. Trying things that make you scared or afraid is also a type of courage. Being kind when someone is unkind to you takes courage. It can seem much easier to say something mean back than to be nice, but it is always better to be nice. Admitting when you’re wrong or need help also takes courage. Most of all, Emma thinks trying new things is so important. If you can overcome your fears and be courageous, you’ll have all sorts of grand adventures and lots of fun.

Emma Lindberg’s inspirational children’s picture book, Emma's Book of Courage, shares the six-year-old author’s take on courage and fear, and her wisdom would be well-taken for readers of all ages. Lindberg’s voice is a credible one that I instinctively felt was her own rather than that of a parent or guardian. Krystal Smith’s illustrations are fabulous! Each panel contains a beautifully painted watercolor that is brightly colored and suitable for framing and hanging in a child’s room. The Rock-Climbing, Ocean, and Night-Time panels are especially captivating, but I’d be hard pressed to choose any of these illustrations over the others. Emma’s Book of Courage is thought-provoking, and the illustrations are masterfully painted. It’s an excellent choice for story time and an even better book for new readers to try on their own. It’s most highly recommended.

Six-year-old author Emma Lindberg presents her take on what is courageous in Emma’s Book of Courage, which comes complete with drawings and watercolor painted illustrations by Krystal Smith that set the stage. Defining courage as what you do when you are “really afraid . . . but you do it anyway,” Emma encourages her peers—young readers—to keep on trying. Sometimes, she suggests, one needs courage just to be nice to others and to avoid saying hurtful things. Other times being courageous means apologizing and not casting blame elsewhere. Occasionally, being courageous might mean asking for help, trying new foods, rock-climbing, going into the woods at night, or challenging your body to learn how to do a flip. Emma approaches all these things with her brave, “never give up” attitude.

Children are naturally afraid of some things, but growing means changing—and change comes about when one steps outside of their comfort zone. Some things are scary because they are truly dangerous, and Emma R.’s story includes a general caution for children to confirm with an adult in advance about whether they should try to do something that seems scary to them. But often things are scary simply because they are unknown. In Emma’s Book of Courage, author Emma Lindberg charges in and, like a coach, encourages young people to step up to the challenges they face. With truly lovely illustrations by Krystal Smith, children are sure to feel encouraged and supported by someone who understands how they see the world.