BOOK 4: LEO'S LEAP
When Trying Feels Scarier Than Not Trying At All
Leo has a secret.
Everyone knows him as the sports kid—good at soccer, great at basketball, always confident and active. So when the school talent show is announced, everyone assumes he'll do something athletic and impressive.
But Leo wants to try something completely new: skateboarding. He wants to learn a kickflip and perform it on stage.
The problem? He's never been on a skateboard in his life.
What if he's terrible? What if everyone expects him to be great and he falls on his face? What if he tries for weeks and still can't do it?
The fear of failing feels worse than never trying at all.
With help from The Brighteners, his older brother Marco, and a patient older skater at the park, Leo discovers that courage isn't about being fearless. It's about being scared and trying anyway.
But when talent show day arrives and Leo faces his biggest fear in front of the entire school, will trying be enough—even if he falls?
LEO'S LEAP is Book 4 in The Brighteners series.
Perfect for children who:
- Avoid new activities because they might not be good
- Only want to do things they're already skilled at
- Experience anxiety about performance
- Need to understand that mistakes are part of learning
This book teaches:
✨ Growth mindset: "I can't do this YET"
✨ That failing at something doesn't make you a failure
✨ Effort matters more than perfection
✨ Asking for help is strength, not weakness
✨ The bravest thing is trying, not succeeding
Includes discussion questions, growth mindset activities, and a guide for parents of perfectionistic children.
Ages 5-8 | Grades 1-3 | Early Chapter Book
From Inner Alchemy Publishing — Stories that help kids grow from the inside out.
