This is a very useful children's book about selective mutism. I love how it is worded so that children of all ages can understand what is being said. This book can be used from children all the way up to adults, because of how it is worded. It has a fun, engaging, yet not too kiddy tone. The author describes the emotions that go with selective mutism and/ or anxiety, how the body reacts, and ways to address the anxiety. The illustrations are fun and the characters are well thought out and relatable. This would be great for schools, children's groups, social groups, and more.

The story resonated deeply with me even though I read it to my little niece. As someone who experienced not being able to use my voice in my childhood - being vibrant and expressive at home but unable to find my voice at school or in new situations - this book hit close to home.

Watching my niece's face light up as she connected with the main character, especially noting "She looks like me!" when seeing the beautifully illustrated brown-skinned, curly-haired protagonist, was particularly moving.

The illustrations throughout are stunning, and the text flows with a natural rhythm that makes it a joy to read aloud and fun for everyone! The educational page about selective mutism at the end adds valuable context, offering insights that even taught me something new about this condition.

This is the kind of book I wish had existed when I was a child. It validates children's experiences with anxiety and selective mutism while showing them they're not alone. The representation through thoughtful character design makes it even more powerful for children of color who rarely see themselves reflected in stories about these experiences.

A great picture book showcasing how a child can overcome their fears. The back matter is also very informative for care givers on how to handle selective mutism!

Sometimes a little bit of bravery is all you need to take the first step in a task that seems insurmountable.

Our protagonist, a young girl with selective mutism, is loud, proud, and silly at home, feeling comfortable with her surroundings and her family. But when she goes to school or the playground, she can't help but clam right up. Despite her frustrations, her parents help her with a lot of practice, role-playing, questions, and most importantly, encouragement. She soon learns that even the smallest 'hi' can be huge progress, and her confidence only grows her courage!

An adorably illustrated and beautifully encouraging book for kiddos with selective mutism (and honestly, I can see it being helpful for other anxieties too.) The back pages have helpful advice and resources for parents and caregivers, as well.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a really sweet and informative book on how adults can support children with childhood and anxiety and selective mutism. The illustrations were so well done, and I loved how they told parts of the story that weren't written. I loved how the story is about facing what might be hard and learning to be brave, and the adults in the story reinforcing that behavior rather than shielding the child away from what might scare them. The author clearly knows what she's talking about, and also included a helpful guide at the end of the story for more information on SM.

The lines of the story themselves weren't necessarily always rhythmic and didn't flow smoothly at times. This is also a bit on the longer side for a children's book and they may not want to sit through the entire thing.

This is a beautifully written story letting kids know that it's okay to feel all their feelings. The child in the story has mutism, and there is information about that too. The parents are loving, supportive, and patient, and the rhymes are fun. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this.

The book was beautifully written. Overall, the book was well written and I did really enjoy it. Thank you for this advance reading copy!

I loved this book! The artwork is so cute, and was an amazing lesson of bravery, and was an engaging and age appropriate way to learn about selective mutism! Will definitely be adding this to the Kiddos shelves!

This book explores empathy, inclusiveness, and understanding. It definitely can help childrenesrn more sbiit how they can be more empathetic towards others classmates, friends, and family. The book covers mutism snd how one might navigate the world. This book also explores how a child with mutism might think and feel about the things around them. Anyone who reads this book will benefit from reading this book. It shows the struggles and tribulations that the main character goes through.

Bravery Grows is a book with such a lovely message. It’s clear how well the authors have tried to understand children and this obstacle, and the story handles it with grace. Especially with the pages at the back for information and advice for any adult readers.
The story does go on longer than most typical children’s books, which might not appeal to every child. Additionally, the flow of the words is not always as rhythmic as one might want for narration. But overall, I think this is a wonderful story to share with children.
Thank you to NetGalley and JKP for providing me this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Good children’s book that assists parents in viewing their shy children and helping shy children know that growing their bravery can take time. We’re all comfortable at home (or should be), but having that same level of comfort around strangers can be a task that some of us have to work at and be encouraged to do so.

Bravery Grows is a children's book devoted to the experience of kids who feel safe and confident in their home environment but have trouble being themselves outside of it. It handles with care the feelings and uncertainty that can come up when you leave your comfort zone and shows us that it's okay to be ourselves no matter where we are or who we are with. The illustrations are soft and sweet and provide a consistent backdrop for our main character to move through her story. The author also includes resources for caretakers whose children may struggle with feeling scared and vulnerable.

A beautifully illustrated book that explores an important topic—selective mutism, a condition where a child struggles to speak in certain situations. While it seems primarily written for teachers and child psychologists, I believe it’s just as valuable for parents and children alike. Even kids who have never experienced selective mutism can benefit from understanding classmates who do.

This book is a great way to teach children about empathy, inclusivity, and how to support friends who might find it difficult to speak up. I'd also highly recommend it for story times at libraries.
A thoughtful and essential read for building empathy!

Bravery Grows not only had adorable imagery for children, but also a great message. This is a good tool for kids to learn that anxiety is absolutely something that can be overcome or managed if you treat yourself kindly and ask for help from someone you trust.
This book is also great for parents or guardians, as it provides resources at the end of the book for children struggling with anxiety disorders.
As someone who struggled with severe anxiety as a child, this book would have been wonderful to have when I was young, so I look forward to children being able to access it now.

This book was absolute perfection until 68% when it introduced the necklace gift.

I felt so seen here - as a 37 year old autistic woman, selective mutism was something I struggled with as a child - it was amazing to see it brought to life in illustrations. I feel like this would be such a great book for children struggling - I really appreciated the additional information for caregivers at the end as well.

What keeps this from being a perfect book is definitely the "gift" of a jewel necklace. I'm not sure why that was needed. I feel like it suggests that you need a magic stone or special gift to be brave or work this. While I am sure that something like this could be helpful in real life - an anchor for the child to hang to - I can't help but think, any kid that reads this is now going to expect something like this to help them. Children don't need "things" to feel brave, the courage they need is inside them (even if it is hidden) and a narrative that centers that would have been a much better message in my opinion.