Brave as a Mountain Lion

Reach for this book when your child is facing a big public moment and feels paralyzed by the 'what-ifs.' Whether it is a spelling bee, a school play, or a sports game, this story speaks directly to the physical sensation of stage fright and the quiet courage required to show up anyway. It provides a beautiful roadmap for how families can support a child's anxiety without dismissing it. The story follows Spider, a young Shoshone boy who is terrified of his school spelling bee. Through conversations with his father, grandmother, and brother, he learns to draw strength from his heritage and the natural world. It is a gentle, realistic portrayal of contemporary Indigenous life that emphasizes that being brave does not mean you are not afraid; it means you find a way to stand tall despite the butterflies in your stomach.