I Will be Fierce: Setting a Courageous Tone for the New School Year

It’s no secret that the first day of school can set the tone for the entire school year. So how do you set up a classroom community that is courageous, kind, and adventurous? How do you let your students know that your classroom is a place to be brave, to challenge themselves, and to look out for others? Your read-aloud choice will take a giant step in the correct direction. Enter, I Will Be Fierce by Bea Birdsong.

I read picture books all the time, and every once in a while, I find one that makes my heart swell and my eyes water. A book that makes me excited to read it to my real-life children and think about my “classroom kids” over the years, while wishing I could go back in time to read it to all of them. I Will Be Be Fierce is that book for me.

This picture book, beautifully illustrated by Nidhi Chanani, follows a young girl as prepares herself to fiercely conquer the challenges that she’ll face at school. She becomes the heroine in an epic fairytale. She faces the many-headed serpent (a school bus), she climbs the Mountain of Knowledge, she stands up for her beliefs and builds bridges (befriending another student sitting alone), and becomes the hero of her own story.

Bea Birdsong is a former educator… and it shows. This book will be a beautiful addition to anyone’s school, home, or classroom library; and a first day of school staple for teachers AND parents. I Will Be Fierce is Birdsong’s first venture into picturebooks – hopefully, she has more to come.

Teaching Tips For I Will Be Fierce:

Discussion Questions:

• What challenges do you face on the first day of school?
• Do you have anything that feels like armor and helps you take on challenges? How does this help you through the day?
• How can we build bridges with others in the classroom? Has anyone ever built a bridge to you?
• What beliefs will you stand up for this year?
• Why is it sometimes difficult to stand up for your beliefs?
• What does it mean to be the hero of your own story?

Author’s Craft Questions:

• What examples of metaphor did you read in the book?
• How does the author help you understand what it means to be fierce? Which of the actions of the main character stand out as being the most fierce to you? Why?

Here is my Amazon affiliate link to check out the book for yourself. I am in no way associated with involved with this book – I just love it and want everyone to have a copy.

Looking for more wonderful picture books to use in the classroom?

How to Reach “The Bad Seed” in Your Classroom

Looking for more book recommendations?

See other book posts here.