Caroline Blakeslee, a South Carolina-based children's author, artist, and advocate for social-emotional learning, has announced the release of her debut picture book, Brave Like Sunny. The book is now available through the author's official website at booksbycarolineb.com. The story follows Sunny, a little dog who learns that bravery is not about being fearless but about showing up, one small wag at a time.
In Brave Like Sunny, Sunny is the happiest puppy on Sweet Gum Road, with one blue eye for spotting butterflies and one brown eye for finding snacks. But when he wakes up one morning feeling different, tired, wobbly, and not quite himself, he discovers a harder kind of courage: the courage to keep going when the wag feels far away. With his beloved toy Lambie tucked under his chin, Sunny makes his way to the vet's office, where a kind nurse named Nonie greets him with bubbles, peanut-butter treats, and reassurance that bravery simply means showing up. Along the way, he meets a new friend in Bootsie the kitten, finds laughter in hard moments, and slowly, morning by morning, finds his sunshine again.
Blakeslee wrote and illustrated the book entirely herself, using a distinctive watercolor and ink style. The story is rooted in the belief that children going through illness, medical treatment, or difficult seasons deserve stories that reflect their experience without minimizing it. The book speaks honestly about the difference between cloudy days and bright ones, about resting as its own form of bravery, and about the quiet sparkle that shows up in laughter, in listening, and in keeping going through hard times. It does so with warmth and humor, featuring characters so full of life that even the toughest reader will find themselves smiling.
Blakeslee explained the personal inspiration behind the book: "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. It is the quiet decision to wag anyway, even when you don't feel like it. I wanted children who are sick, or scared, or simply having a hard day to see themselves in Sunny and to know that what they are doing, showing up, is the bravest thing in the world."
Blakeslee studied studio art and 3D studies at the University of South Carolina and pursued graduate work in art education and psychology, building a career dedicated to helping children process emotion through creativity. When her own health made traditional classroom work difficult, she turned to making things, resulting in a book that carries real feeling while remaining accessible to young readers.
Brave Like Sunny is dedicated to brave kids and grown-ups who find light on cloudy days and to Milo, whose courage and spirit inspired the story. It is ideal for hospital and clinic waiting rooms, pediatric care collections, school counselor shelves, and any home library where children need a story that shows their struggles are seen and their bravery is real. Educators, child life specialists, librarians, and parents will find it a natural companion to conversations around medical courage, resilience, emotional regulation, and the enduring value of friendship. For media inquiries, school visit requests, bulk orders, or review copy requests, visit the official website or use the contact page at booksbycarolineb.com/contact-us.
