Jabari Jumps

Why It's On Our Shelf

The dad's approach here is what makes this book special - he doesn't dismiss Jabari's fear or force him, but he also doesn't let him avoid it forever. It models healthy parenting around fear, showing how adults can support children through scary moments without pushing or enabling. The illustrations capture Jabari's nerves perfectly, and the breathing technique gives kids a concrete coping strategy they can actually use. What it teaches is that bravery doesn't mean not being scared, it means doing things despite being scared, which is an important distinction.