Karen Rochester

Be Brave Karen Rochester

'Be Brave' is a book about hope, learning to trust and understanding. The book is primarily aimed at younger readers and encourages them to "tell someone" if they have been hurt or abused, physically or psychologically by another person. It is not a story, it is a journey individual readers take based on personal experiences. This is indeed a very special book. It's a book that can help the reader to trust and to speak up when someone is hurting them. It communicates with the reader, especially a child reader, at his/her own level. 'Every single person on the planet has to be brave at least once in their life, no matter who they are, how old they are, or how strong they are. Being brave is about having the courage to do the best thing, even when it's hard and especially when you're scared to do it.' This unique book should be in the hands of every child, parent, teacher, medical professional, counsellor, social worker and child care worker. It is delicately and powerfully illustrated, beautifully and gently worded and helps the reader to try and find the courage to 'tell' someone they trust that they have been hurt. Hopefully by using the 'big, powerful move' described in the book, the reader can take steps to have the unwanted behaviour towards them come to an end or seek assistance for the painful feelings they may now be experiencing after being hurt.