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. Available now through the author's official website at booksbycarolineb.com, the book tells the story of Sunny, a little dog who learns that bravery is not about being fearless but about showing up one small wag at a time.
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 feeling tired and wobbly, he discovers a harder kind of courage: the courage to keep going when the wag feels far away. With his toy Lambie tucked under his chin, Sunny visits the vet, where a kind nurse named Nonie greets him with bubbles and peanut-butter treats, reassuring him that bravery simply means showing up. Along the way, he meets Bootsie the kitten, finds laughter in hard moments, and slowly regains his sunshine.
Written and illustrated entirely by Blakeslee, Brave Like Sunny is rooted in the belief that children experiencing 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 and in keeping going through hard times. It does so with warmth, humor, and characters so full of life that even the toughest reader will find themselves smiling at Lambie falling off the bed.
Blakeslee brings considerable artistic talent to the book, with every illustration rendered in her distinctive watercolor and ink style. She 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 the weight of real feeling while remaining joyfully 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 an ideal addition to hospital waiting rooms, pediatric care collections, school counselor shelves, and home libraries 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 about medical courage, resilience, emotional regulation, and friendship.
The book is available now at booksbycarolineb.com. For media inquiries, school visit requests, bulk orders, or review copies, visit the official website or use the contact page at booksbycarolineb.com/contact-us.
