Bravest Choice Coloring Pages
A cover plus four coloring pages: Barnaby and Toby on the raft, little hatchling Barnaby, Toby’s kind hand, and the bullfrogs on the hollow log.
New · Book 2 · Available now
Sunny-Stream Pond · Ages 3–8
The Grumble-Gator’s Bravest Choice
A Tale of Barnaby, Toby, and the Kindness That Breaks the Cycle
Barnaby used to be the biggest bully in Sunny-Stream Pond. Now he’s Toby’s friend. But one quiet evening on the raft, Barnaby shares a secret. Long ago, he was the one being picked on.
This is a story about where hurt comes from. And about the one brave choice that can stop it.
Or buy direct from me:
Paperback
Printed to order — please allow 2–3 weeks for shipping.
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“I can’t undo the splashes from my past. But I don’t have to keep that cycle spinning either. It can stop with me.”
The story inside
Hurt doesn’t have to be passed on
🌅
A secret on the raft
As the sun goes down, Barnaby tells Toby what happened by the old hollow log when he was just a tiny hatchling.
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Where the hurt came from
Barnaby grew big. But the hurt stayed with him, and he passed it on. Without even meaning to, he became the very thing that used to scare him.
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The bravest choice
Toby reminds him: “We always have a choice about what we do next.” Now Barnaby has a big choice of his own to make.
About this book
Why I wrote Book 2
Kids who get picked on sometimes grow up and do the same thing to someone else. I wanted to show little ones that the hurt can stop with them. We can’t undo the past. But we always get to choose what we do next.
- Series
- Sunny-Stream Pond · Book 2
- Ages
- 3–8
- Themes
- Bullying, kindness, second chances
- Format
- Paperback & eBook · 8.5 × 8.5 in
- Author
- Cory Tarwater
- Status
- Available now on Amazon
Free Book 2 printables
Keep the conversation going
Free to print at home or in class. No sign-up needed.
Bravest Choice Puzzle Pack
A word search, a “help Barnaby paddle back to the hollow log” maze, and a pond word scramble with clues. Answer key included.
Feelings & Choices Pack
Kids name how Barnaby felt, sort cut-out cards into “keeps the hurt spinning” or “stops it with me,” and draw their own bravest choice.
Let’s Talk About It
Before, during, and after reading questions, plus a “the cycle can stop with me” picture and a kindness-chain activity for home or class.
Book 2 Educator Kit
For teachers, librarians, and counselors: an author note, a read-aloud discussion guide, the story mapped to SEL, and “The Turn-Around Raft” class activity.
Start with Book 1
The Grumble-Gator’s Greatest Raft
Meet Barnaby and Toby for the first time. Toby gets picked on by a grumpy alligator, and instead of hitting back, he chooses kindness.
See Book 1 →Join the story circle
Hear first when the next book lands
The Grumble-Gator’s Bravest Choice is out now. Leave your email to get my free Story-Time Kit and be the first to know about new books and printables.