Brave Little Hearts Series

Stories of courage, connection, and the heart of childhood.

Brave Little Hearts Series® is a picture book series that celebrates the everyday bravery of children as they face life’s joys, changes, and challenges. Whether they’re asking big questions, coping with change, or discovering their inner strength, each story reflects the quiet resilience and emotional growth found in even the youngest hearts.

With expressive watercolor illustrations and engaging storytelling by award-winning author Dawn Marie Hooks, the series explores meaningful themes—like adoption, illness, self-expression, and perseverance—through the eyes of brave young characters. Ideal for ages 4–9, these books encourage grit, build confidence, and spark conversations between children and the grown-ups who care for them. Perfect for reading together, giving as thoughtful gifts, or supporting meaningful discussions at home or in the classroom.

Big courage in little hearts—one page at a time. Brave Little Hearts.

Brave Little Hearts series logo with text saying Activity and Teaching guide by Dawn Marie Hooks

As a certified teacher, Dawn creates teaching guides for parents and educators as well as fun activity sheets for kids (mazes, word searches, etc). Although this Brave Little Hearts Activity & Teaching Guide is made to complement the Brave Little Hearts Series®, it can be enjoyed on its own.

The Brave Little Hearts Series® is available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other book retailers.

Collect all the titles:
• I’ll Hold You Forever: An Adoption Story
• Sarah and Her Twirling Toes
• Grandpa Can
• Catching Waves: A Board, a Pig, and How a Little Girl Became a Wakesurf Champion

Brave Little Hearts Series book cover with title I'll Hold You Forever: An Adoption story. The watercolor illustration is of a mom kneeling in the grass to kiss her young daughter's cheek.
Brave Little Hearts Series Book Cover of Sarah and Her Twirling Toes with a watercolor illustration of young Sarah smiling and twirling while her dog watches her
Brave Little Hearts Series book Grandpa Can: A Story of Hope in the Midst of Illness by Dawn Marie Hooks with a watercolor illustration of a Grandpa and granddaughter hugging.
Brave Little Hearts series book cover of Catching Waves by Dawn Marie Hooks with a watercolor illustration of Raleigh wakesurfing