Colin Faces the Fear

Colin, Ryan, and Luca are the heart of the Pride's soccer team. With the playoffs only one week away, the pressure is on to practice hard and master their plays. But when a powerful kick from Ryan sends their only ball flying through a torn net and deep into the savanna, the game comes to a sudden, terrifying halt. The ball has landed in the tangled roots of the Tall Acacia Tree—home to the largest, angriest swarm of hornets in the savanna. As the team's fastest runner, everyone looks to Colin to retrieve the ball. But Colin is paralyzed by a "cold sludge" of fear in his gut. He knows he is fast, but he is terrified of the sting and the pain waiting for him at the tree. Through a quiet, powerful conversation with his father, Colin learns a life-changing lesson: Bravery isn't about making your fear go away; it's about choosing to do what is important even when your heart is pounding. "Colin Faces the Fear" is a vibrant, action-packed story that helps children navigate the physical and emotional weight of anxiety. Written by Matt Charvat and beautifully illustrated with bright, cheerful savanna landscapes, this book is a must-read for young athletes and any child learning to move their "paws" toward their goals, despite the "hornets" in their way.