3 Reasons Why You Should Read Fearless by Kelly Canby

What’s the book about?

Bea Ware is afraid of everything – from shadows to ladders to trampolines, she is in a constant state of anxiety and trepidation. Her friend, Annie Venture, seems completely carefree, skipping through life without a single worry. But Annie shares her secret with Bea. Annie is not fearless, she has simply learned to fear less. So, just a little every day, Bea tries to fear less, too, and uncover a more carefree life.

Recommended for:

Ages 3+

Three reasons to read it:

1. Bea Ware starts off afraid of literally everything, from shadows that creep across the floor to ladders that seem too tall and even trampolines that bounce too high. What makes this story special is that it doesn’t make fun of her fears or pretend they aren’t real. Instead, it shows kids that feeling scared is normal and okay. The book gently helps readers understand that fear is just part of life, and it’s something we can face little by little.
2. Bea’s a regular girl with very real worries. But with the encouragement of her friend Annie, Bea starts trying new things. Each step toward courage feels exciting and achievable, showing readers that bravery doesn’t mean being fearless. It means taking small, intentional steps to fear less every day. Watching Bea gain confidence bit by bit makes her journey feel relatable and inspiring for kids, especially those learning how to face their own fears.
3. The illustrations bring Bea’s world and her feelings to life in a way words alone can’t. Each page shows her big emotions, her little victories and her growing confidence, helping kids visually connect with her journey. The pictures are colourful, expressive and full of warmth, making it easier for young readers to understand what Bea is feeling.

Buy a copy of Fearless here.

About the author:

Kelly Canby is an internationally published illustrator and author. Kelly was born in London, but has lived in Australia since the age of three, which is probably around the same age she started playing with pencils and crayons, and it was probably only a few years after that that she decided playing with pencils and crayons was something she wanted to do for the rest of her life.