Where does your bravery come from?
About Brave Enough - Atlan and the Farm Animals
This candid yet entertaining picture book is perfect for any timid child (ages 3 to 7 years) who needs help exploring fun new ways to find their bravery. Not all is what it seems at first glance!
Join Atlan as he explores his Granny’s farm and finds his courage through Granny’s simple yet touching life lessons.
Atlan is excited—and a little nervous—to spend a whole week at Granny’s farm without Mama and Daddy. But when the clucking chickens, curious goats, and towering donkey get too close, Atlan’s fears get the better of him—POP!—he shrinks into a tiny creature! How can a little field mouse, lizard, or snail ever be brave enough to handle the giant world around them?
With Granny’s gentle guidance and a little practice putting his fears into perspective, Atlan learns that being brave doesn’t mean being fearless—it means being brave enough to try. A heartwarming story about courage, imagination, and growing up, Brave Enough reminds young readers that bravery comes in all sizes.
“Suddenly, something incredible happens!
He is no longer a boy but a tiny snail.
The chickens are giants compared to him!
“Don’t peck me,” he yells! But his voice is so very small.”
About the story…
Bowe wrote this story for her son, Atlan, and her mother (Granny).
This colorful farm, full of random animals from chickens to deer, rabbits to donkeys, fish to pigs, and Chihuahuas to German Shepherds - was the landscape of Bowe’s youth. Granny’s heart for taking care of animals seemed to have no bound as no animal that turned up on her doorstep was ever turned away. With patience and gentle hands, Granny taught Bowe and her sister Erica how to care for all sorts of animals and the land they lived on - and in turn, many life lessons came along the way. The tradition continues with her grandchildren Taylor and Atlan (pictured right). Aella will join once she’s out of diapers!
When Atlan came along in Bowe’s life, and showed his fierce but timid spirit, Bowe was perplexed. She had spent her whole life running headlong into every challenge with seemingly little hesitation. How could she help her son overcome his self-doubt and worry? She didn’t want him missing out on life because of fear! So, she watched Atlan closely to see what really made him want to turn and run away and…
…it was the GRANDNESS of it all! Atlan felt so very, very small.
That’s when Bowe realized that perspective was the key (and time and patience, of course. These things don’t happen overnight!). Understanding what he was up against might be just what Atlan needed to tip the scales in his favor. Make the BIG things normal sized.
So, cue Granny and the week long stay at the ol’ farm while mom and dad went on a much needed vacation. Just like in the book, Granny really did work with Atlan and his fears to have him to help her with the animals. She really did get him to touch Ella - the big hairy pig! He helped collect chicken (and quail) eggs, and feed the goats and Chesley the donkey. And throw corn to the wild deer. And feed Helo and Pilot (the giant German Shepherds). He did all the things you see here in the book and more. Granny used her gentle “matter-of-fact” life-life lessons to teach Atlan how to view BIG problems - and make him BRAVE ENOUGH to face them. Relating and connecting to him on his level, just like she did with me as I grew into the strong woman I am today (just like her!).
