PICTURE BOOKS

Brave Like a Lion! How a Puppeteer Found Her Voice

by Megan Piphus (text) & illus. by Niña Mata. 
Dial. May 2026. 40p. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9780593857595. K-Gr 3
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K-Gr 3–When her teacher assigns a presentation on a favorite animal, May, with brown skin and dark hair, chooses the lion, her very favorite, but worries at the thought of speaking in front of her class. At home, she finds comfort in her lion puppet, and everything changes when she sees a woman on TV using puppets to tell stories with confidence and joy. Inspired, May visits her local library, proudly gets her first library card, and begins learning the craft of puppeteering while practicing bravery at home. When presentation day comes, May’s courage wavers until a classmate asks a question directed to her puppet instead of to her. This warm and encouraging picture book nicely depicts how a shy girl starting at a new school finds her voice.
VERDICT Drawn from the author’s childhood, this uplifting story pairs beautifully with the included puppet-making activity.
Reviewed by Susie Rios , Feb 01, 2026

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