Caroline Blakeslee, a South Carolina-based children's author and artist, has announced the release of her debut picture book, Brave Like Sunny. Available now through her official website at booksbycarolineb.com, the book tells the story of Sunny, a little dog who learns that bravery is not about being fearless but about showing up despite fear. The book is illustrated by Blakeslee in watercolor and ink, and it aims to provide comfort to children experiencing illness, medical treatment, or difficult times.
The narrative follows Sunny, a cheerful puppy with one blue eye and one brown eye, who wakes up one day feeling unwell. With his toy Lambie by his side, he visits the vet, where a kind nurse helps him through the experience. Along the way, Sunny meets a new friend and discovers that bravery can be found in small moments of perseverance. The book emphasizes themes of resilience, emotional regulation, and the importance of friendship.
Blakeslee, who studied studio art and 3D studies at the University of South Carolina and pursued graduate work in art education and psychology, brings personal experience to the story. She says, "Brave Like Sunny came from a place of deep personal truth. I have lived through years of illness, loss, and grief, and what carried me through was the same thing Sunny discovers: that courage is not loud." Her background in helping children process emotions through creativity informed the book's development, and she turned to writing and illustrating when her own health made traditional classroom work difficult.
The book is dedicated to "brave kids and grown-ups who find light on the cloudy days" and is intended for use in hospital waiting rooms, pediatric care collections, school counselor offices, and home libraries. Educators, child life specialists, and parents may find it a useful tool for discussing medical courage and emotional resilience. More information is available on the author's website at booksbycarolineb.com/contact-us.
