Clarice the Brave

Reach for this book when your child is facing a major life transition, such as a family separation or a move that requires them to find courage they did not know they had. Clarice the Brave is an epic animal adventure following two sibling mice separated during a mutiny at sea. While Clarice must survive a leaky boat with a predatory cat, her brother Charles Sebastian must navigate the dangers of the original ship. It is a deeply moving exploration of grief and resilience. Parents will appreciate the way it models bravery as an action taken despite fear, rather than the absence of it. The story is appropriate for ages 8 to 12, offering a safe, metaphorical space to process feelings of being lost or small in a big, unpredictable world. It provides comfort through its focus on the enduring bond of family and the possibility of reunion after hardship.