2026: A New Year! Children’s Books That Inspire Courage and Resilience
Many independent and small-press authors are creating meaningful children’s books that encourage young readers to believe in themselves and keep trying. Check out this list of five books in addition to Rosemary Chick: Pip, Zip, Hooray! that families may also enjoy reading.
A new year is full of fresh starts — for adults and children alike. For young readers, the New Year can bring exciting changes along with unfamiliar challenges: starting a new class, learning a new skill, or finding the confidence to try something for the first time.
Children’s books that focus on courage, resilience, and perseverance offer gentle encouragement during these moments. Through relatable characters and comforting stories, young readers learn that growth happens one small step at a time.
Encouraging Children to Embrace New Beginnings
The best picture books for the New Year remind children that it’s okay to feel unsure — and that bravery doesn’t mean having all the answers. Stories centered on determination and emotional growth help children see mistakes as part of learning and challenges as opportunities to grow.
In Rosemary Chick: Pip, Zip, Hooray!, Rosemary faces moments that feel new and uncertain, much like the experiences children encounter at the start of a new year. Her journey shows young readers that confidence builds gradually and that even small victories deserve celebration.
Books That Build Courage and Resilience in Young Readers
Picture books that highlight perseverance and self-belief support children as they navigate everyday obstacles. These stories:
Normalize frustration and self-doubt
Encourage persistence
Reinforce positive self-talk
Promote emotional resilience
Rosemary Chick: Pip, Zip, Hooray! fits beautifully into this category, offering a warm, approachable story that helps children understand that courage can be quiet and steady.
Independent Children’s Books That Celebrate Growth and Confidence
Many independent and small-press authors are creating meaningful children’s books that encourage young readers to believe in themselves and keep trying. In addition to Rosemary Chick: Pip, Zip, Hooray!, families may also enjoy:
The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds — A simple yet powerful story about discovering confidence and believing in your creative voice.
Ish by Peter H. Reynolds — Encourages children to embrace imperfection and continue forward despite self-doubt.
A Normal Pig by K-Fai Steele — A humorous and heartfelt look at self-acceptance and confidence.
The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires — Explores perseverance, frustration, and resilience when things don’t go as planned.
Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell — A joyful celebration of determination and embracing what makes you unique
Together, these books offer gentle reassurance that growth looks different for everyone.
Why Stories Like Rosemary Chick Matter at the Start of a New Year
The New Year is a wonderful time to introduce stories that emphasize emotional growth and self-belief. Books like Rosemary Chick: Pip, Zip, Hooray! help children:
Feel confident trying something new
Understand that mistakes are part of learning
Celebrate effort, not just outcomes
When children see characters like Rosemary Chick facing challenges with courage and persistence, they learn that they, too, are capable of brave beginnings.
Reading Into the New Year
As families set intentions and routines for the year ahead, reading together remains one of the most meaningful ways to support a child’s emotional development. Choosing books that highlight courage, resilience, and embrace perseverance sets a positive tone for the months ahead.
Here’s to a New Year filled with tiny steps, small victories, and plenty of stories worth celebrating.