Caroline Blakeslee, a South Carolina-based author and illustrator, has released her debut picture book, Brave Like Sunny, a story that redefines courage for children navigating illness, medical treatment, or difficult seasons. Available now through booksbycarolineb.com, the book follows Sunny, a little dog who learns that bravery isn’t about being fearless—it’s about showing up, one small wag at a time.
The story opens with Sunny, a happy puppy with one blue eye for spotting butterflies and one brown eye for finding snacks. But when Sunny wakes up feeling different—tired, wobbly, not himself—he discovers a harder kind of courage: the courage to keep going when the wag feels far away. With his beloved toy Lambie, Sunny visits the vet, where nurse Nonie offers bubbles and peanut-butter treats, teaching him that bravery simply means showing up. Along the way, he meets Bootsie the kitten and finds laughter in hard moments, slowly finding his sunshine again.
Blakeslee, who studied studio art and 3D studies at the University of South Carolina and pursued graduate work in art education and psychology, wrote and illustrated the book entirely herself. Her watercolor and ink illustrations bring warmth and emotional precision to the story, which she says came from personal experience. ‘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,’ Blakeslee said. ‘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.’
Brave Like Sunny is dedicated to brave kids and grown-ups who find light on cloudy days, and to Milo, whose courage inspired the story. It speaks honestly about the difference between cloudy and bright days, about resting as its own form of bravery, and about the quiet sparkle that shows up in laughter and perseverance. The book is ideal for hospital and clinic waiting rooms, pediatric care collections, school counselor shelves, and home libraries where children need a story that validates their struggles and affirms their bravery.
Educators, child life specialists, librarians, and parents will find it a natural companion to conversations around medical courage, resilience, emotional regulation, and friendship. For media inquiries, school visit requests, or bulk orders, visit booksbycarolineb.com/contact-us.
