Small Steps

A parent might reach for this book when their child is facing a serious illness, a long recovery, or is feeling anxious about their physical limitations. It is a powerful memoir for normalizing fear and modeling resilience. In 1949, at the age of 12, author Peg Kehret was suddenly stricken with polio, leaving her paralyzed from the neck down. This book is her true story of that terrifying experience: the diagnosis, the lonely hospital stays, the painful physical therapy, and her long, determined fight to walk again. For ages 8 to 12, it directly addresses themes of fear, perseverance, and finding strength in family and oneself. It’s a profoundly hopeful and inspiring choice for showing a child that even overwhelming challenges can be faced one small step at a time.