• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Baby + Toddler (0-2)
  • Pre-K (3-5)
  • Beginning Readers (6-7)
  • Growing Readers (7-9)
  • Tweens (10-12)
Happily Ever Elephants
Happily Ever Elephants

Happily Ever Elephants

The Best Kids Books Found Here!

  • Home
  • Book Lists
  • Winter Books!
  • About
  • Home
  • Baby + Toddler (0-2)
  • Pre-K (3-5)
  • Beginning Readers (6-7)
  • Growing Readers (7-9)
  • Tweens (10-12)
Books by Theme » Life Skills » Children’s Books About Courage: HANNAH AND SUGAR, all time favorite!

Children’s Books About Courage: HANNAH AND SUGAR, all time favorite!

By Lauren Bercuson ·  Published: May 27, 2016 ·  Modified: Dec 1, 2021 ·  This post may contain affiliate links

If you love reading children’s books about courage, you MUST check out Hannah and Sugar by Kate Berube, our ALL TIME FAVORITE book on courage, and one that is on constant re-read in our house!

*This post contains affiliate links.


This is a bold statement, but Hannah and Sugar by Kate Berube is one of my favorite books of 2016 so far. It is definitely Pickle’s, as he asks for it repeatedly (which is quite rare for him). I love it not just because it is a special story of overcoming fears, but I also I love it for what it has done for my oldest son, who is *ahem* basically scared of everything- especially dogs. This is, without a doubt, one of our most loved books at home, and definitely at the top of our list when it comes to amazing children’s books about courage.

Every day when Hannah gets off the bus after school, Violet P’s mom is waiting for Violet with their dog, Sugar. Every day, Mrs. P. asks Hannah if she wants to pet the dog, and every day, Hannah says no. Why? Through Berube’s lovely illustrations, the reader can see that Hannah is scared of sweet Sugar. But then one day Sugar goes missing, and Hannah, all alone, is the one to find Sugar stuck in the bushes. What will she do?

One of the things I admire about Hannah and Sugar is the way Berube plays with her illustrations. She so brilliantly intersperses comic style panels to slow down the story’s pacing, together with full page wordless spreads to heighten tension and create maximum impact. When Hannah and Sugar come face to face, alone, Berube’s portrayal of their interaction is fantastic. She manages to convey Hannah’s actions with such a light touch, making them so realistic and relatable that Pickle constantly brings it up in conversation. This book provides such a tender exploration of fear and courage, and Pickle loves to shout at the end of each reading “Mommy, Hannah isn’t scared anymore!” I love the way he so easily relates to this story and how I can now use it when he finds himself scared in certain situations. I cannot recommend Hannah and Sugar enough for your home collections, and I know we will use Hannah’s courage as a discussion point for years and years to come. That’s when I know we’ve come across something special.

RELATED: We’ve got all the best children’s books for you on Happily Ever Elephants, so be sure to check them out!

Want the book? Get it here! Hannah and Sugar, by Kate Berube.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email

3-4

« Previous PostPete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes, by Eric Litwin
Next Post »The Amazing Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes

OTHER POSTS YOU MAY LIKE:

  • 3-4

    Jabari Jumps, Courage, and Being Patient with Fear
  • 3-4

    New Favorite Children's Book: The Neighbors!
  • 3-4

    Favorite Children's Books About ELEPHANTS!

Never Miss a Happily Ever Elephants Newsletter!

Join our community and discover 28 Unforgettable Books to Make Storytime Magical and Meaningful.

Thank you for subscribing!

Primary Sidebar

Welcome to Happily Ever Elephants!

Lauren

Hi! I’m Lauren. I’m a boy mom, former attorney, current elementary school librarian, and moderator of book clubs for kids around the country. My goal is to make storytime with your children both magical and meaningful. Welcome! LEARN MORE 

AS FEATURED IN

Good Housekeeping

Winter Books!

10+ Valentine’s Day Books for Kids!

The Cutest Children’s Books About Penguins

The Best Lunar New Year Read-Aloud Books!

The Best New Year Read-Alouds

SEE ALL WINTER BOOKS!

Popular Posts

kindergarten-read-alouds

These Kindergarten Read Alouds Will Wow Kids!

The covers of 9 of the best books for 10 year olds.

The Best Books for 10-Year-Olds To Excite Your Kids!

The cover of Gossie with some rubber ducks, a great book for 2 year olds.

The Best Books for 2-Year-Olds Your Reader Will Love!

beginning-reader-books

The Ultimate List of the Best Books for Beginning Readers!

JOIN OUR BOOK CLUB

Browse by Age

BABY + TODDLER (0-2)
PRE-K (3-5)
BEGINNING READER (6-7)
GROWING READER (7-9)
TWEENS (10-12)

before footer form

Don't Miss a Book!

Join our community and discover 28 Unforgettable Books to Make Storytime Magical and Meaningful.

Thank you for subscribing!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
Make Storytime Magical and Meaningful with these 28 Unforgettable Books! DOWNLOAD

browse by age!

0-23-45+6-77-910-12

Looking to help your child develop their social and emotional skills?

Download our 8 Week Guide!

Suggested Grade Level: Pre-K - 3rd DOWNLOAD NOW

Archives

  • August 2023
  • July 2023
  • April 2023
  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • October 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016

Categories

  • 0-2
  • 10-12
  • 3-4
  • 5+
  • 6-7
  • 7-9
  • All Book Lists
  • Animals
  • Anti-Bullying
  • Award Winners
  • Back to School
  • Bedtime
  • Black Children's Books
  • Combat Bias
  • Concept Books
  • Confidence
  • Diversity
  • Emotions
  • Empathy
  • Fall Books
  • Family
  • Featured Books by Age
  • Featured Books by Theme
  • Featured Children's Book Reviews
  • Friendship
  • Funny
  • Growth Mindset
  • Halloween
  • Holidays
  • Imagination
  • Interactive
  • Jewish Books
  • LGBQT
  • Life Skills
  • Life Transitions
  • Non Fiction
  • Own Voices
  • Playing Preschool Book Lists
  • Popular Posts
  • Raising Readers
  • Social Justice
  • Special Interests & Hobbies
  • Spring Books
  • STEM
  • Summer Books
  • Thanksgiving
  • Uncategorized
  • Winter books
  • Winter Holidays
  • Wordless

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Join 70k+ Instagram Followers

Find even more great book recommendations with the @happily.ever.elephants Instagram community!
Join more than 70k+ parents for more tips, recommendations and reviews.

Footer

Don’t miss a single book.

Join our community and discover 28 Unforgettable Books to Make Storytime Magical and Meaningful.

Thank you for subscribing!

Buy the Books

The best virtual book clubs for kids. Why read alone when we can read together?

JOIN NOW!
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2025 ·  Happily Ever Elephants LLC ·  Review Policies & Disclosures ·  Accessibility ·  SITE CREDITS

0 shares