Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
"Today, I will dare to be daring./ It is something I've wanted to try.// No sidelines for me--I'm jumping in, whee!/ I'll dodge it, I'll duck it, I'll fly!" Lin Wallace's upbeat rhymes riff on the titular phrase to encourage bravery in the face of various experiences via this upbeat picture book. As arrayed children conquer common childhood challenges such as performing onstage, trying a new food, going to the dentist, and more, a trip to the basement lurks, on repeat, as a seemingly impossible act of courage ("No, nope, not happening") until, at last, even that feels achievable. Paint smudges and squiggles form a colorful backdrop for Cho's round-faced figures, portrayed with various abilities and skin tones, as they smoothly map to the text. Relatable, motivating messaging seems sure to strengthen readers' resolve. Ages 4--8. (July)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 3--Everyone has hesitations and fears that prevent them from doing what they really want to do. Wallace has a fear of spiders, and in this book tackles some of the things young children fear. "Today, I will dare to be daring when I get to the playground to play. My eyes will not peek, but I'll certainly shriek in a will-I-come-down sort of way." The "dare to be daring" catchphrase acts to coax the child, here with light brown skin and wearing a worried look, into taking a risk. Every scene teaches that it's okay to make mistakes, to fail, to give up. Stage fright, fear of throwing oneself into the dodgeball game, or the frightful scene of a dark basement steps are all here as in the first person, "I will dare to be daring" is repeated right before the facing of the obstacle. Cho's colorful and engaging illustrations are an excellent complement to Wallace's use of repetition, rhythm, and rhyme to walk young children through the most common things that they fear. VERDICT The creators have come up with an excellent book for caregivers and children who are struggling with their fears, for discussion or as a guide to pushing through.--Laura Ellis
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Addressing our fears has never been this fun. A group of diverse children try to overcome their anxieties. Each spread starts off with the same invocation--"Today, I will dare to be daring"--followed by a description of a daunting situation, from trying unfamiliar foods ("You say this is pea and beef stew?") and learning to ride a bicycle ("I may topple and tumble and flop. / But the second I'm at it, / my soul is ecstatic!") to meeting new people (and pets) and going to the dentist. Threaded throughout the narrative is the hilarious yet relatable story of a terrified youngster who attempts several times to descend the stairs into a deep, dark, and positively creepy-looking basement. Wallace's text has a bouncy rhythm to it, which makes for both a robust read-aloud and an excellent primer on modeling courage and thoughtful behavior. Cho's gouache and colored pencil illustrations add levity. The kids she depicts are utterly expressive, their looks of pinched terror eventually turning into pure exuberance. Each spread focuses on a different child; youngsters from earlier scenes periodically show up to make cameos, adding to the community feel of the story. None of the characters are gendered, with the exception of a male dog, who just wants some attention for being a good boy. A fiercely reassuring, wonderfully whimsical ode to courage in the face of uncertainty. (Picture book. 3-7) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
