Lisa E. Dean Books Pre-order

A children’s story inspired by a real moment of courage.

Big feelings.
One brave step.

Brave on the Shark Bridge

By Lisa E. Dean

An aquarium adventure becomes a moment of courage when a young boy faces the shark bridge. Inspired by a family trip with my nephew, Amari Anthony, this story reminds young readers that they can feel afraid and still take a brave next step.

Pre-order Your Copy
$12.95+ $5 shipping
  • Paperback
  • Ages 4–8

Online ordering opens soon.

Pre-order now · Ships by December 1 · Secure checkout by Stripe

Giving it as a gift? See the I’m Brave Box ($30) →

A story to read together. A conversation about courage to carry with you.

Front cover of Brave on the Shark Bridge by Lisa E. Dean: a smiling boy in a red hoodie walks across a glass bridge above friendly sharks while his family cheers him on.
Illustration from the cover: the boy walks carefully across the glass shark bridge in his red hoodie, with a shark swimming below.

About the story

What do you do when something feels a little scary?

New experiences can bring big feelings, especially when you’re little.

Brave on the Shark Bridge opens the door to conversations about fear, encouragement, and what it means to be brave.

Share it during story time, then ask your young reader:

Story-time question

“When have you felt afraid and tried something new?”

Why share this book?

Give them a story that makes room for courage.

Read it together to:

Start conversations about feeling afraid.
Talk about trying new things with support from a trusted adult.
Celebrate small moments of courage.
Remind children that you can feel afraid and still be brave.

Sometimes a little encouragement helps a child see just how brave they can be.

Take a peek inside

The words we hope every child carries home.

Explore a page before you bring the adventure home.

Pre-order Your Copy
A page from the book: a smiling woman in a pink cardigan walks beside the boy in his red hoodie through the aquarium tunnel. The text reads: So when someone asks, ‘What happened when you were afraid?’ You can smile and say: ‘I was scared… and I was brave.’
A cartoon-style illustration of Amari in his Spider-Man shirt, smiling in the middle of his family as they pose together on their aquarium trip.
The family trip that started it all.

The real moment behind the book

Inspired by one brave little boy.

During a family trip to the aquarium, my nephew, Amari Anthony, crossed the shark bridge even though he was afraid.

I told him, “You were so brave.”

That moment inspired this book. I wanted to create a story that would help other children recognize their own courage, too.

The I’m Brave Box: a white gift box personalized with a child’s name, holding the Brave on the Shark Bridge book, a washable coloring T-shirt with an ‘I’m Brave’ shark design, and a set of washable markers.

Make it a gift

The I’m Brave Box

Everything a little one needs to read the story, then wear their courage.

  • Brave on the Shark Bridge paperback book
  • Washable coloring T-shirt with an “I’m Brave” shark design, in sizes 4T, 5T, Youth Small, Youth Medium or Youth Large
  • Washable markers to color it in
  • Personalized gift box with your child’s name
Pre-order the Brave Box
$30+ $10 shipping

Pre-order now. Ships by December 1. You’ll choose the T-shirt size and enter your child’s name at checkout.

Brave Box ordering opens soon.

How ordering works

From checkout to story time.

Pre-order online

$12.95 plus $5 shipping, with secure checkout handled by Stripe.

Your book arrives

Pre-orders ship by December 1, carefully packed and sent to the address you enter.

Read it together

Then ask your young reader about a time they felt afraid and tried something new.

Author Lisa E. Dean smiling with her arms crossed, wearing a white blazer over a black top.

About the author

Meet Lisa E. Dean

Lisa E. Dean is an author, coach, and transformation speaker who loves stories that help children and adults grow in courage.

She wrote this book to remind young readers that bravery is not the absence of fear; it is taking the next step anyway.

Questions

A few things to know.

What inspired the book?

A real moment during a family aquarium trip when my nephew, Amari Anthony, crossed the shark bridge despite feeling afraid.

What is the book’s message?

Children can acknowledge their fear, accept encouragement, and take a brave next step.

Where can I buy it?

Select “Pre-order Your Copy” to order right here. Checkout is handled securely by Stripe, and your book will be sent to the address you enter.

When will my order ship?

Brave on the Shark Bridge and the I’m Brave Box are available for pre-order now. All pre-orders ship by December 1, 2026, to the address you enter at checkout.

How can I contact you?

Email me anytime at braveonthesharkbridge@gmail.com. I’d love to hear from you.

Can I return or exchange my book?

All sales are final, so returns and exchanges can’t be accepted. If your book arrives damaged, or you receive the wrong item, please email me at braveonthesharkbridge@gmail.com within 14 days of delivery, and I’ll make it right.

Make room for a brave little moment.

Bring Brave on the Shark Bridge into your next story time and start a conversation about courage.

Pre-order Your Copy — $12.95

Online ordering opens soon.