Not-so-brave Howie
Karen Mowbray & Antonio Ordonez
Category: Children's Picture Book
Hardcover | 40 pages | 979-8-90115-036-8
Trim Size: 8.5” H x 10.3” W
Publication Date: July 7th, 2026
List Price: $18.99 USD
Publisher: Starfish Bay® Publishing
Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction / Character-Building Fiction / Social-Emotional Learning
Reading Level: Grade 1-2
Interest Level: Grades PreK-2
Guided Reading Level: K
Lexile® Measure: 450L
Accelerated Reader® Level/Poin: 2.5/0.5

A bear discovers you can't always be brave when it comes time to remove a plaster.

Howie is a brave, fearless bear—nothing scares him! But when he trips on a log and needs a plaster (bandage), things take an unexpected turn. Days later, when it's time to remove the plaster, Howie discovers a shocking problem: it's not just the plaster that comes off—it's his fur, too! Can Howie remain brave, or will this challenge be too much for him? A fun and engaging story that every adventurous child will relate to.

Karen Mowbray is a New Zealand based primary school teacher, writer, and author. Karen draws inspiration for her work from the antics and stories of her own three children, and the experiences of the many students she has taught in her 20+ years in education.
 
Antonio Ordonez (known as AtOLOnia) was born in Madrid, Spain. Inspired by the birth of his first child, Antonio decided to change career and move into the world of children's illustration. His work is distinguished by the cute, friendly, and expressive characters he creates. He loves to combine digital drawing with watercolor and give free rein to his imagination.
 

Key Features:
  • A fun and engaging story that explores childhood experiences.
  • A charming tale filled with humor and warmth.
 
 
Themes:
  • Courage vs. Bravado - True bravery includes admitting when you need help
  • Fear of Minor Discomforts - How small worries can feel overwhelming
  • Problem-Solving - Sometimes the quickest solution is the best one
  • Friendship and Support - Friends help us through difficult moments
  • Overthinking - Don't make problems bigger than they are
  • Vulnerability - It's okay to not always be tough
  • Trust - Learning to trust others to help us
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