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Picture Books about Overcoming Challenges with Resilience

Picture Books about Overcoming Challenges with Resilience

Resilience helps us power through or bounce back from challenging circumstances. By reading picture books about resilience and overcoming challenges, your students will see characters dealing with setbacks and not giving up when things get tough.   

Picture Books about Overcoming Challenges with Resilience

Why Use Picture Books about Resilience in the Classroom?

We all experience difficult times, but it is how we deal with them that tells us how resilient we are and helps us cope with challenges in the future. Resilience varies greatly from person to person. Just because one child breezes through a challenge doesn’t mean another will.

Reading books about overcoming challenges to your students will let them see characters in difficult situations and using different strategies to push through them. They are great discussion starters for you to use to bring up the benefits of being resilient, including:

  • managing emotions appropriately
  • asking for help when needed
  • using judgement to change tack in difficult situations
  • having a positive mindset
  • expressing ideas and opinions confidently
  • reflecting on their behaviour and strengths
  • listening attentively and following instructions
  • working cooperatively, sharing and taking turns
  • understanding why they feel frustrated.

FREE Graphic Organizers for After the Fall

After the Fall Activities

Before you check out the picture books about resilience below, I have made a pack of graphic organisers and activities to use with After the Fall by Dan Santat. This is a great book to use when teaching resilience and a growth mindset.

I have a freebie that is part of this larger resource so you can try it out before buying anything!

Fill in the form below to get access to the FREE pack.

Picture Books about Resilience

These children’s books about overcoming challenges show different characters responding to knock-backs and ultimately triumphing.

Ada's Violin: The Story of the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay by Susan Hood

Ada's Violin: The Story of the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay

In Paraguay, Ada Río grows up in poverty and can't afford to follow her dream of playing the violin. The arrival of a new music teacher makes instruments out of rubbish and changed Ada's life forever. Based on the true story of the Recycled Orchestra.
AMAZON
The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend by Dan Santat

The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend by Dan Santat

Beekle longs for a child to imagine him and give him a special name. His wish comes true when his special friend Alice imagines him. Promotes a sense of belonging, friendship and perseverance.
AMAZON
After the Fall Activities and Comprehension Questions

After the Fall (How Humpty Dumpty Got Back Up Again) by Dan Santat

A retelling of Humpty Dumpty from the egg’s perspective. Promotes perspectives, a growth mindset, perseverance, and courage as Humpty Dumpty conquers his fear of heights.
AMAZON
The Bear and the Wildcat by Kazumi Yumoto

The Bear and the Wildcat by Kazumi Yumoto

Devastated Bear finds his friend Bird dead and shuts himself away while he grieves. In the spring, Bear meets Wildcat who he confides in about his friend Bird. Through this new friendship, Bear feels ready to start the grieving process. This Japanese book deals with acceptance, grieving, self-management and friendships.
AMAZON
Coming to England: An Inspiring True Story Celebrating the Windrush by Floella Benjamin

Coming to England: An Inspiring True Story Celebrating the Windrush Generation by Baroness Floella Benjamin

Baroness Floella Benjamin recalls her journey from Trinidad to London as part of the Windrush generation. The ten-year-old grew up to educate millions of children on TV and become a member of the House of Lords. Use to discuss overcoming adversity, hope, and determination.
AMAZON
A Dance Like Starlight: One Ballerina’s Dream by Kristy Dempsey

A Dance Like Starlight: One Ballerina's Dream by Kristy Dempsey

In Harlem, a young girl is inspired by the first African-American prima ballerina, Janet Collins, to make her own dreams come true. Promotes determination, inspiration, perseverance and overcoming adversity.
AMAZON
The Day Saida Arrived by Susana Gómez Redondo

The Day Saida Arrived by Susana Gómez Redondo

A girl befriends a new girl, Saida, who she thinks has lost her words because of her silence. She learns Saida speaks Arabic and has moved from her home in Morocco. They share their languages and learn about each others culture which helps Saida feel welcome in her new home. Use this translated book to discuss immigration, communication, open-mindedness, making friends, empathy, and respect.
AMAZON
The Day War Came by Nicola Davies

The Day War Came by Nicola Davies

A girl returns home to find is a bombed-out hole. Alone, she follows a stream of refugees to an immigration camp. She visits a school but is turned away because there is no chair for her. That evening she is visited by a boy who brings a chair with him - a chair to sit on and learn. Reinforces themes of courage, fears, immigration, perseverance and tolerance.
AMAZON
Emmanuel’s Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah by Laurie Ann Thompson

Emmanuel’s Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah by Laurie Ann Thompson

People dismissed Emmanuel because of his deformed leg, but his mother’s belief gave him the courage and determination to be himself. As he got older he became a cyclist, eventually cycling 400 miles across Ghana to promote the message that disability is not inability.
AMAZON
Evelyn Del Rey Is Moving Away by Meg Medina

Evelyn Del Rey Is Moving Away by Meg Medina

Best friends, Evelyn and Daniela, have to say goodbye when Evelyn’s family has to move away. As her house is packed up, the two girls play with each other in their favourite places. They know they will always be best friends, no matter where they live.
AMAZON
Flood by Alvaro F. Villa

Flood by Alvaro F. Villa

A wordless book about surviving a natural disaster. A family rides out an on-coming storm, but flee when it gets too bad. The returning family find their home in ruins, which they decide to rebuild.
AMAZON
The Great Realisation by Tomos Roberts

The Great Realisation by Tomos Roberts

Tomos Roberts’ poem is in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. It celebrates acts of kindness, applauding key workers for their heroic endeavours and how people everywhere coped with adapting to a new way of life. Promotes discussions on resilience, adaptability, hope and faces challenges.
AMAZON
Henry’s Freedom Box by Ellen Levine

Henry’s Freedom Box by Ellen Levine

Henry Brown, a slave, overcomes many challenges, including been torn from his family who were sold as slaves. Working at a warehouse he comes up with the idea of achieving his dream of freedom by mailing himself to the North. Reinforces themes of freedom, overcoming adversity and resilience.
AMAZON
Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly

Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly

Hidden Figures tells the inspirational story of four black women who worked at NASA in the 1940s. Their intelligence and determination changed the world by putting a man on the moon. A powerful picture book to promote gender roles, tolerance, inquirers and perseverance.
AMAZON
I am Enough by Grace Byers Teaching Resources

I Am Enough by Grace Byers

I am Enough follows a girl as she makes positive affirmations for those who lack self-esteem and self-acceptance. This book celebrates children for who they are and reinforces themes of acceptance, self-esteem and poetry.
AMAZON
I Am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes

I Am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes

I Am Every Good Thing celebrates and affirms young, black boys. The young, black narrator confidently tells us he is creative, smart, funny, adventurous, and a good friend. We learn how he sometimes fails, but always gets back up. He’s afraid when people misunderstand him and call him names. Promotes discussions on empowerment, self-acceptance, self-confidence, self-esteem, respect, being misunderstood and resilience.
AMAZON
Joni: The Lyrical Life of Joni Mitchell by Selina Alko

Joni: The Lyrical Life of Joni Mitchell by Selina Alko

Born in Canada, Joni Mitchell expressed her creativity through music and painting as a child, despite suffering from polio. She sang her songs in Toronto and then moved to New York and then California. She inspired a generation with her deeply emotional and personal songs. Joni Mitchell wrote a famous song about Woodstock because she was unable to attend.
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The Journey by Francesca Sanna

The Journey by Francesca Sanna

A mother makes the unimaginable decision to escape a war with her two children. They travel by car, truck, foot and boat for their gruelling journey to safety. Reinforces themes of conflict, immigration, compassion, independence and courage.
AMAZON
The Lady with the Books: A Story Inspired by the Remarkable Work of Jella Lepman by Kathy Stinson

The Lady with the Books: A Story Inspired by the Remarkable Work of Jella Lepman by Kathy Stinson

The Lady with the Books is based on the work of Jella Lepman in Germany after WWII. She wrote to 20 countries, many who had been at war with Germany, asking them to send children’s books for her to give hope to children affected by the war. She knew part of providing the children of Germany with a fresh start was helping them feel connected to the world and preventing more conflicts.
AMAZON
The Last Chip by Duncan Beedie

The Last Chip by Duncan Beedie

A homeless pigeon is weak with hunger, but every time Percy spots some food more dominant birds get it first. A homeless woman takes pity on the pigeon and offers Percy her last chip. Includes themes of hunger, kindness, overcoming adversity and friendship.
AMAZON
Lila and the Crow by Gabrielle Grimard

Lila and the Crow by Gabrielle Grimard

Lila's dark skin, hair and eyes make her stand out at her new school. She is bullied and likened to a crow. At the autumn festival costume party, she embraces who she is and dresses as a crow. Promotes self-acceptance, self-awareness, discrimination, resilience, and loneliness.
AMAZON
Lubna and Pebble by Wendy Meddour

Lubna and Pebble by Wendy Meddour

In a refugee camp, Lubna has an unusual best friend, a pebble. The pebble listens to her stories and smiles when she is scared. Lubna's compassion leads her to give the pebble to someone in the World of Tents who needs it more.
AMAZON
Marvelous Cornelius: Hurricane Katrina and the Spirit of New Orleans by Phil Bildner

Marvelous Cornelius: Hurricane Katrina and the Spirit of New Orleans by Phil Bildner

Cornelius takes great pride in keeping the streets of New Orleans clean. After the Mississippi river breaks its banks during Hurricane Katrina, Cornelius inspires the community to come together to clean up the city.
AMAZON
A Most Clever Girl: How Jane Austen Discovered Her Voice by Jasmine A. Stirling

A Most Clever Girl: How Jane Austen Discovered Her Voice by Jasmine A. Stirling

Learn about the life and struggles of the remarkable writer, Jane Austen. Growing up, poetry, books, debates, performances and songs surrounded her. The book illustrates her struggles as a female writer and her emotional challenges to continue her creative writing. Use in the classroom to discuss the writing process, overcoming adversity and gender roles.
AMAZON
The Most Magnificent Thing Activities and Comprehension Questions

The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires

The first picture book about resilience by Ashley Spires on this list. A girl and her canine assistant adjust, examine, tweak, fasten, fix, straighten and study to create the most magnificent thing. But not everything works out the way she imagines. Promotes creative thinking, self-management, perseverance and a growth mindset.
AMAZON
My Name Is Blessing by Eric Walters

My Name Is Blessing by Eric Walters

Baraka lives in a Kenya with his grandmother. She struggles for money and is too old to help Baraka with his physical disability. She makes the tough decision to place him in an orphanage. Here his name is changed from ‘Suffering’ to ‘Blessing’ in Kenyan. Promotes discussions on intergenerational relationships, hope, overcoming adversity, disability, and poverty.
AMAZON
Ocean Speaks: How Marie Tharp Revealed the Ocean's Biggest Secret by Jess Keating

Ocean Speaks: How Marie Tharp Revealed the Ocean's Biggest Secret by Jess Keating

Marie Tharp faced sexism at every turn on her way to becoming the first person to map the Earth’s underwater mountain ridge. Women weren’t welcome in STEM fields and were considered too unlucky to be on research ships. Tharp fought gender stereotypes and used her reliance and problem-solving skills to be successful.
AMAZON
Perfect Square by Michael Hall

Perfect Square by Michael Hall

Over the course of a week, a perfectly happy square is torn, punched, cut and crumpled into creative images. On Sunday, the square becomes a window looking out on all the creations made from this simple shape. Perfect Square promotes creativity, adaptability, open-mindedness and acceptance.
AMAZON
Red Kite, Blue Kite by Ji-li Jiang

Red Kite, Blue Kite by Ji-li Jiang

During China’s Cultural Revolution, Tai Shan is separated from his father after he is arrested. They find a creative way of greeting each other by flying kites every day until his father is freed. Promotes relationship skills, hope, resilience and fears.
AMAZON
Saturday by Oge Mora

Saturday by Oge Mora

Ava waits all week for the weekend to arrive as Saturday means special mother and daughter time. She is disappointed when things don’t quite go as they planned, but she learns that things will work out.
AMAZON
Singing Away the Dark by Caroline Woodward

Singing Away the Dark by Caroline Woodward

A brave girl narrates how she walks a mile to the school bus stop every day. She travels through the morning darkness, with sights and sounds that frighten her. Instead of being afraid, she sings away the dark and her fears. Use to discuss courage, fears and, resilience.
AMAZON
The Thing Lou Couldn't Do by Ashley Spires-

The Thing Lou Couldn't Do by Ashley Spires

The second picture book about resilience by Ashley Spires. Lou procrastinates and makes excuses rather than face her fears. With the support of her friends, she develops a growth mindset to overcome the challenges she faces.
AMAZON
Those Shoes Activities and Graphic Organizers

Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts

Jeremy is mortified when his old shoes fall apart and the school counsellor provides an unstylish replacement pair. He successfully searches a second-hand shop for a pair of ‘those shoes’, but they are too small. After some reflection, he passes the sneakers to a young child who Jeremy realises needs them more than him.
AMAZON
Tilda Tries Again by Tom Percival

Tilda Tries Again by Tom Percival

Tilda loves her life, but when it is turned upside down, she wants to give up. Everything seems so hard. She sees a ladybird, stuck on its back, keep trying until it gets back on its feet and flies away. Tilda takes inspiration from this tiny insect and adapts to the changes in her life. Promote resilience, problem-solving, adapting to change, different perspectives, not giving up, determination, perseverance, and belief in yourself.
AMAZON
We’re All Wonders by R J Palacio

We’re All Wonders by R J Palacio

Auggie shares how he likes to do ordinary things, but he just doesn’t look ordinary. He wants to believe someone will accept him for who he is. Promotes self-esteem, identity, friendship and open-mindedness.
AMAZON
You Hold Me Up by Monique Gray Smith

You Hold Me Up by Monique Gray Smith

You Hold Me Up illustrates the love and respect between intergeneration First Nations communities in Canada. The book prompts discussions about the importance of connection to family, friendships and classmates. Use to teach relationship skills, respect, a sense of community, empathy and resilience.
AMAZON

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What Next?

Check out these short videos on resilience. You may find them useful to use in your classroom.

What picture books about resilience do you use in the classroom?

I also found a document full of lesson plans on resilience from SDERA. PBS Kids has a booklet on Helping Children Become Resilient with Arthur that you can share with parents.

Did you enjoy this post? Why not share it!

Picture Books about Overcoming Challenges with Resilience

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