Be Strong (Be Kind, 2)

child faced with a challenge learns about and practices being strong.

When this young narrator has to climb the wall in the school gymnasium, they don’t reach the top the way classmate Cayla can. The kid feels the opposite of strong. Family members tell the protagonist that being strong gets you through life, so the kid asks, “How can I be strong?” Each family member has advice. Being strong can look like “showing up,” “speaking up,” and “not giving up.” Each family member also lives an example of their words. The narrator, a small Black child with large, puffy hair, takes the advice of parents and grandmother. The kid practices being strong by showing up for friends, speaking out for peers, and not giving up when show more learning new things. The text is straightforward and immersive, with braided threads that are easy and delightful to follow. The illustrations are made up of busy spreads of neighborhood scenes and sparse scenes of individual and small group actions, making for a well-paced journey through the child’s experiences with family and community. This exploration of the true meaning of being strong is layered and lovely, provoking deep thought, feeling, and conversation about this important virtue and its corollaries—perseverance, leadership, and caring. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

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Be Strong by Pat Zietlow Miller is a great children’s book. In encourages emotional strength as it teaches emotional resilience and how to handle tricky situations. It shows children how to be strong when facing disappointment or frustration. Strength is not just about physical power but about staying calm and being resilient through tough situations. This book has simple language but remains powerful. It is simple enough for young readers to understand and it still conveys a meaningful message. Overall, Be Strong is a wonderful choice for helping children build emotional intelligence, resilience, and empathy, all while providing an enjoyable reading experience.