Bravery Soup

by Maryann Cocca-Leffler

Carlin the raccoon is afraid of everything―even his own shadow!

When Carlin meets Big Bear, the bravest animal in all the land, he tells Carlin 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.

Genres: Picture Books, Food, Animals, Childrens

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Maryann Cocca-Leffler of NH, is the Author and Illustrator of over
60 books for children. Maryann’s book, Janine (2015) and its new sequel, Janine and the Field Day Finish (2016), were inspired by her daughter, Janine. Together they have developed a corresponding website, www.janinesparty.com with a mission to help change public perception of children with disabilities. Other books include, A Homemade Together Christmas, Bus Route to Boston and Bravery Soup.
Now a playwright, Maryann wrote a play based on her Princess KIM books. Princess K.I.M. The Musical won a National New Play Festival in 2012 and has had sold out performances on the East and West coasts. Princess K.I.M. The Musical is now represented by Stagerights.com, a licensing agency in LA to bring the play National.

Maryann grew up in the Boston area (read Bus Route To Boston!) and attended Massachusetts College of Art and Design where she received a BFA in Illustration. Her very first book, Thanksgiving at the Tappletons’ written by Eileen Spinelli, was published in 1982 and has been re-released in 2015 as a classic. When not in her studio, Maryann is traveling, visiting schools and attending her play.

If you are interested in a school visit, please check out the VISITS link on my website:
www.MaryannCoccaLeffler.com
www.JaninesParty.com
www.PrincessKimTheMusical.com

Reviews

[Jordyn Reddy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bravery Soup written by Maryann Cocca-Leffler is a super cute children's book that illustrates overcoming fears. The main character is a personified fox named Carlin. Carlin is afraid of everything, but he stumbles across this bear who is making bravery soup, and when Carlin asks for some the bear tells him he must go get the secret ingredient. Carlin faces his fears and successfully secures the ingredient for the soup. Carlin overcame his fears.

[Sophie Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. The characters are so cute as well as the drawings in general. The story is even a relatable story to those seeking out some bravery. The adventure that the story is about is fun to follow along with and makes you wonder what is going to happen at the end. This book also teaches the lesson that bravery is within you, not something that you can buy/retrieve.

[Sydney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not gonna lie, we got this from the library while I was experiencing some uncomfy things in my own adult life and was *actually* thinking about how it's what's inside of ME that makes me brave (not inside of soup or whatever) while dealing with said uncomfies

Very cute book and now one of my kids' favorites. I love that we now have Carlin as a reference if we need to practice bravery.

[Mia Moeller · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations, literary devices, and the overall message within this book about becoming a better person and doing things for yourself brought the book to life. I enjoyed how I could make personal connections throughout this book and how the characters influenced and supported each other.

[Miriam Glover- Leffler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book that teaches about bravery, and how we have it with us at all times, even if we don’t know it.

[Elizabeth Prows · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute book about being brave and facing your fears! This book would be great for young children who are new to school and may face some fears about it!

[Trey Funk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Such a cute story that talks about overcoming fears by standing up for yourself! There's also some great friendship traits found in this story as well :)

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Bravery Soup” written by Maryann Cocca- Leffler is an adorable story that follows the journey of a scared raccoon named Carlin. Carlin is afraid of everything. Some friends tell him that they know how we can become brave! They send him to the bravest animal of all, Big Bear. Big Bear tells Carlin that he is making some bravery soup and that Carlin can have some of it but that he is missing his secret ingredient. He asks Carlin to go on a journey to get his secret ingredient! He tells him that this ingredient will be in a box, on top of a mountain, in a dark cave. He says once you find the box, bring it back and then they can have the soup that will make him brave. Carlin goes on an adventure and all of his animal friends are very supportive and provide him with different tools and foods to make his trip a little easier. He experiences all sorts of things along the way that cause him to (unknowingly) become brave! He finally retrieves the box and hurries back to Big Bear so he can finally have some of the soup that will make him brave. They open the box only to find it empty. Big Bear explains that only the bravest animals go on an adventure like the one Carlin went on, and that by doing so, he has overcome his fears and became brave. I think the theme of this book is overcoming your fears and also being supportive of those you care for. As a child I was really afraid of the dark and I would always climb into bed with my parents. My parents would move me back once I fell asleep and the next morning would celebrate me for making it through the night. Overtime I shed the fear of darkness and was able to make it through the night by myself! Their support and encouragement played a big role in me overcoming that fear. I would recommend this book because I think it could be really encouraging for kids who are struggling with a certain fear. It shows us that we are able to overcome those fears and that we really are brave.

[Tonya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bravery Soup is an entertaining tale of how Carlin, the raccoon finds bravery. He is so timid and scared that his friend the fox introduces him to bear, the bravest animal in the forest. Bear told him to retrieve "the secret ingredient" for bravery soup. Carlin had to go to a cave guarded by a monster to get the box. His friends equipped him with all types of protection (armor, food, a raft, a big stick) for his journey through the forest. Carlin shed all of it along his journey, and by the time he reached the cave, he was bare. However, he accomplished his mission, fetched the box, and frightened the monster in the process! He came to realize that bravery was inside of him all along; not contained in the box. I love the way the author shows children that even though we sometimes feel afraid, we are able to accomplish things that we think we cannot. The dazzling acrylics make this story about facing fears come to life. This is a powerful message to children about believing in themselves, and how in order to grow, we all (even as adults) must try new ventures even when we feel afraid. I could use this in a lesson about self-belief and trying new things even when they seem scary. Just as bear told Carlin in the story, “You are braver than you think.”

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Carlin the raccoon is afraid of everything. Zack the fox encourages him to visit Big Bear, the bravest animal around. Big Bear sends Carlin on a journey to find the secret ingredient for his Bravery Soup. But Carlin must go alone and that frightens him very much. His friends send him with many items for protection such as a shield, a basket of food and a raft to cross the river. Carlin ends up dropping most of the stuff because it's just too much to carry. He finds the cave by himself and encounters a monster more afraid of him than he is of it!

In the meantime, his friends have become worried that he hasn't returned and they set out after him. They find the discarded items they gave him and really begin to worry. They quickly go after him only to encounter Carlin running out of the monsters cave and heading back. He succeeds in locating and returning the secret ingredient to Big Bear who in turns reminds him that bravery has nothing to do with a tangible something. It's what's inside that counts.

[Jean-Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

So cute! Big Bear sends little scaredy-cat raccoon on a quest alone into the forbidden forest to retrieve a box in a cave. What is in the box is an important ingredient for the "Bravery Soup" Big Bear is cooking up in his big pot. Raccoon faces his worst fears and returns with the box. It's an adorable tale of friendship and bravery.

[Mir · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute but too-obvious little fable about bravery coming from within.

[Marshmallowlemonade · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scared raccoon goes on a journey for an ingredient for bravery soup. Turns out it was inside him all the time.

[Hilary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bravery soup doesn't make you brave.
You must BE brave to earn a serving.

[Bonnie Arriola · Rating 3 out of 5]

a good concept book

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful story about a racoon who realizes that he is brave after all.

[Kye Jenkins]

Bravery Soup tells of a raccoon and his friends who go on a perilous journey in order to find bravery soup only to learn that he was brave all along