Bravery Soup [Hardcover]

Maryann Cocca-Leffler (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up

Carlin the raccoon is afraid of everything—even his own shadow! Then he meets Big Bear, the bravest animal in all the land, who tells him that there is a way to get courage. Alone, Carlin must make a perilous journey and bring back the secret ingredient for Big Bear’s Bravery Soup. Scared but determined, Carlin sets off with some helpful gifts from his friends. He faces the dangers of the Forbidden Forest, Skulk Mountain, and the lair of a ferocious monster—only to find bravery in the most unexpected place.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Cocca-Leffler (Thanksgiving at the Tappletons) ladles out equal portions of the sweet and the bland in this well-traveled story line of a scaredy-raccoon. Carlin, whose mask-like eyes play up his emotions, is afraid "of bumps in the night, of trying new things, of being alone. He was afraid of his own shadow!" Zack the fox tells his pal that he needs "a bit of bravery" and takes Carlin to the edge of the woods, where Big Bear stirs a large pot of Bravery Soup. The cook sends Carlin on a perilous journey to fetch a crucial ingredient, kept in a box in a cave in Skulk Mountain. The bear reassures the quivering 'coon that "You are braver than you think," and the statement echoes in the hero's mind as he ventures alone into the Forbidden Forest, crosses a raging river and enters the dark cave. The plot loses steam when it reverts to flashback ("Carlin had not been swept away," the author reassures readers when the hero's friends find his raft), taking the oomph out of the pacing. The dense text ends with a cliched message ("It is not what is inside the box that makes bravery. It is what is inside of you!"), but the acrylics, applied with thick brushstrokes, convey the suspense as well as the warm friendship between the animal friends. Ages 3-7.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

reSchool-Grade 2--A timid raccoon is afraid of almost everything, including his own shadow. A friend introduces him to Big Bear, "the bravest animal in all the land," who agrees to help cowardly Carlin overcome his fears. The bear is making "Bravery Soup" and needs one more ingredient, so he sends the timid creature into the Forbidden Forest to get it. The mission involves crossing a raging river, climbing to a mountaintop cave, and facing a hairy monster. Through a bit of luck and a "trick of the eye," the little raccoon successfully retrieves the parcel. When Big Bear reveals that the box is empty, Carlin discovers that he is full of courage and proud of it. Readers then understand that Bravery Soup does not make one brave, it is served only to those who have proven themselves. The colorful illustrations are rendered in acrylic and resemble finger painting. Changes in the text size add to the visual effect and aid in reading the story aloud. Children will enjoy seeing how self-sufficient and confident Carlin becomes because of his expedition.
Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company (March 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807508705
• ISBN-13: 978-0807508701
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,809,251 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Website: www.maryanncoccaleffler.com
My PLAY: www.princesskimthemusical.com
my Blog: www.maryanncoccaleffler.blogspot.com

I've been writing and illustrating children's books for more than 25 years and have published over 50 books. I graduated from Massachusetts College of Art in 1980 with a BFA in illustration. My Italian childhood sneaks into my books. The first book I wrote and illustrated was "Wednesday is Spaghetti Day". My books "Bus Route to Boston" and "Clams All Year" are family stories which I hold dear to my heart. Recent books include "Rain Brings Frogs-A Little Book of Hope" ,"Princess K.I.M and the Lie that Grew" and "Princess Kim and Too Much Truth", which are currently being made into Pristin K.I.M The Musical. Broadway here I come! Please keep checking my website and blog to see my new books or learn news about upcoming projects. I live and work in NH where I write and illustrate on an average of two books a year. I have two wonderful daughters and a supportive husband who are the first ones to see my ideas (love to torture them!).
I'd love to hear from you.
Maryann Cocca-Leffler

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars ENCOURAGING WORDS FOR YOUNGSTERS, April 11, 2002

By 

Gail Cooke (TX, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bravery Soup (Hardcover)

Everyone needs a little encouragement from time to time, and that's exactly what young hearts will find in this tale of Carlin, a timid racoon, who is skittish about everything - trying new things, sounds in the night, and even his own shadow.

Fortunately, Carlin has a good friend, Zack, who takes the cowering creature to Big Bear, "the bravest animal in all the land." Big Bear tells Carlin that the soup he is preparing, Bravery Soup, will banish all fears. Problem is, one extremely important ingredient is missing and Carlin must go after it.

Poor shuddering Carlin, he "must go alone through the Forbidden Forest to Skulk Mountain," and then into a cave in which a box is hidden. With knees shaking and lips trembling Carlin sets out.

The little fellow learns many important lessons along the way, and so will all who read this reassuring tale.

- Gail Cooke

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is great, September 19, 2011

By 

Keith - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Bravery Soup (Albert Whitman Prairie Books) (Paperback)

This book is really good. Buy it. It's about a raccoon that figures out how to be brave while he goes on a journey to find bravery.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, great story, great moral, February 6, 2010

By 

P.P. "particular shopper" (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Bravery Soup (Hardcover)

This is a wonderful book, my husband, 3 yr. old daughter & I all love it. It's just around the right length & amount of text for her age, not too little words/story like a baby book, but not too long like, say, the original Winnie the Pooh, or Green Eggs and Ham. Cute story, with an actual story line and arc of the main character. Good characters, nice illustrations, and at the end a nice moral, "It's not what's inside the box that makes you brave, it's what's inside of you." - without sounding preachy or goody-goody. We originally borrowed it from our local library and bought our own copy because we liked it so much. A winner - I recommend it!