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This post is sponsored by Karen Henrich. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal views.

ABOUT THE BOOK
Brave Like Me
Written by Karen Henrich
Illustrated by Jordan Foster
Ages: 4-8 | 38 Pages
Publisher: Mascot Kids (2026) | ISBN-13: 979-8891388895

Publisher’s Book Summary: When a mysterious figure appears, Benny Bear, Remy Raccoon, Ruby Rabbit, and Mabel Mouse are filled with questions—and a little fear. One by one, they venture into the cold to investigate. But the more they look, the more the mystery seems to change . . .

With courage, curiosity, and a lot of heart, these four friends discover that sometimes the unknown isn’t so scary after all—especially when you face it together.

This delightful rhyming tale celebrates friendship, bravery, and the magic of seeing things clearly—with just a little help from the morning sun.

PURCHASE LINKS
Amazon: https://link.amazon/B05ZWDKT5
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/brave-like-me-karen-henrich/1150424732
Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/2078/9798891388895

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
When Karen Henrich isn’t wandering through the woods with Benny, Remy, Ruby, and Mabel—at least in her imagination—you’ll often find her behind a camera, photographing some incredibly brave children and their families in California children’s hospitals.

Karen lives in Northern California’s San Francisco Bay Area with her husband, Scott. When they’re not working, they love packing up their bulldog Mabel (and now you know where one of the character names came from!) and heading out on road-trip adventures in their Airstream, which they named Fiddlesticks. Along the way, they cook (well, Scott cooks—Karen is much better at watching), hike, explore, and spend lots of nights laughing around the campfire.

Karen is also the very proud mom of two grown sons, who somehow managed to find two pretty wonderful wives. She loves stories, photographs, adventures, family, and finding a little magic in unexpected places—which may explain how four woodland friends ended up taking her on an adventure of their own. And she’s so happy they did.

Website: https://bravelikemebook.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livingmomentbymoment

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR
When Jordan Foster isn’t bringing Benny, Remy, Ruby, and Mabel to life on the page, she’s usually creating something else. By day, Jordan is a graphic designer at Warner Bros. Discovery. Brave Like Me is her first children’s book.

TOUR SCHEDULE
Tuesday, October 6, 2026: The Children’s Book Review (Book Tour Kick-Off)
Thursday, October 8, 2026: @GetOutsideAndRead (Instagram Post)
Friday, October 9, 2026: Country Mamas With Kids (Book Review)
Monday, October 12, 2026: Crafty Moms Share (Book Review)
Tuesday, October 13, 2026: Deliciously Savvy (Book Review)
Thursday, October 15, 2026: icefairy’s Treasure Chest (Book Review)
Friday, October 16, 2026: Q&As with Deborah Kalb (Author Interview with Karen Henrich)
Monday, October 19, 2026: The Starlit Path (Book Review)
Tuesday, October 20, 2026: Cover Lover Book Review (Book Review)
Thursday, October 22, 2026: Life Skills 2 Learn (Book Review)
Friday, October 23, 2026: @kidslittlefreelibrarybristolri (Instagram Post)
Monday, October 26, 2026: @nissa_the.bookworm (Instagram Post)
Tuesday, October 27, 2026: @avainbookland (Instagram Post)
Thursday, October 29, 2026: Confessions of a Book Addict (Book Spotlight)
Friday, October 30, 2026: One More Exclamation (Book Review)
Monday, November 2, 2026: Lisa’s Reading (Author Interview with Karen Henrich)
Tuesday, November 3, 2026: Un Viaje en Libro (Book Review)
Thursday, November 5, 2026: @books.with.courtney (Book Review)
Friday, November 6, 2026: The Fairview Review (Book Review)

Interview: Brave Like Me

1. Was there an event that convinced you to become a writer?

The beginning came much earlier than people might expect: I first imagined the concept for Brave Like Me and wrote a simple version in fourth grade! But it was my work photographing children and families through Moment by Moment that gave me a reason to return to it decades later.

Witnessing their courage made me want to share something of what they had taught me. This childhood story became a way to bring that message to children everywhere.

2. Can you tell us the most important mission of Moment by Moment?

Our most important mission is to give families of children with life-limiting illnesses and chronically life-impacting conditions lasting photographs that capture their love and connection. We provide these professional photography sessions at no cost.

Within a hospital or hospice setting, we create space for families to simply be together and for a child’s personality to shine through. Over the past 20 years, Moment by Moment has served more than 9,000 families throughout children’s hospitals in California.

3. Were any of the book’s characters inspired by specific children you’ve photographed?

The characters reflect what so many children have taught me over the years. I carry memories of their smiles, courage, hope, and determination.

After photographing thousands of families, those memories have become an indelible collection of stories within me—experiences I wish everyone could have, because they can change how you see the world. Above all, it is the children’s courage that I have poured into Brave Like Me.

4. Describe your favorite place to write

As a photographer, I’m constantly moving—crouching down, getting back up, following children’s lead, and clicking the shutter to catch those fleeting expressions. Writing is a little more serene, usually with my French bulldog, Mabel, keeping me company.

And yes, you may recognize her name from Mabel Mouse in the book! She insists on sitting on my lap, never the floor, which makes navigating the keyboard a bit of a challenge. But I wouldn’t trade my writing companion.

5. Have you stayed in touch with any of the families of children you photographed?

Yes, I have stayed in touch with some of the families, and those connections mean so much to me. But even when we don’t remain in contact, I carry something from each child with me—a smile, a moment of courage, a glimpse of hope, or a quiet determination.

Across 20 years and thousands of families, those moments have left an indelible mark on my heart. They continue to shape how I see life, and their courage is at the heart of this book.

Giveaway

Readers who follow along on this virtual book tour will have the chance to win a hardcover copy of Brave Like Me by Karen Henrich, perfect for little readers who love a not-so-scary surprise!

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