I think we can all use a little bit of hope during this time period, and what better place to find it than in stories! Here are four children’s stories that will leave you feeling a little more hopeful about the state of our world. Enjoy!

Malala, a Brave Girl from Pakistan, by Jeanette Winter

This inspirational story allows you to meet not one, but two heroes of Pakistan who stood up for the rights to freedom and education.

Life Doesn’t Frighten Me, by Maya Angelou

Visionary full-color artwork accompanies a stirring poem—by the famed inaugural poet and author of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings–that celebrates courage, strength, and fearlessness.

Counting on Community, by Innosanto Nagara

Counting up from one stuffed piñata to ten hefty hens—and always counting on each other–children are encouraged to recognize the value of their community, the joys inherent in healthy eco-friendly activities, and the agency they posses to make change.

Circles of Hope, by Karen Lynn Williams

In this story of determination, faith, and love, author Karen Lynn Williams introduces readers to the realities of rural life in the mountains of Haiti. Imbued with brilliant colors, expressive characters, and vivid landscapes, Linda Saport’s illustrations capture the indomitable spirit of hope.