Sheila Rae, The Brave

Henkes, K. (1987). Sheila Rae, the brave. New York: Greenwillow Books.

Kevin Henkes is one of my favorite author/illustrators. I love his characters like Chrysanthemum, Owen, and Julius. I just discovered Sheila Rae through this story… I’m sure glad I did! This picture book is a modern fantasy, because the animals are living human-like lifestyles—talking, going to school, wearing clothing, etc.

This is a touching story about a mouse that isn’t afraid of anything—until she gets lost on her way home. Sheila Rae decides to take a new route home, which leads to her getting lost and feeling scared and lonely. Thankfully, her little sister, Louise, was following her and reveals herself to Sheila. They are happily reunited, and Sheila feels much better. 

In regard to the illustrations, Henkes uses a variety of colors but in softer hues, which suggests contentment. Additionally, his style is realistic, because the illustrations look very natural. In terms of his writing style, I feel that his sentences flow together very nicely—making it easier for students to follow along with the story. Above all, his characters are so incredibly relatable. I have no doubt that my students will be able to share instances where they’ve felt brave—or even the opposite, scared and lonely. Because this book was written in third person, we were able to see right into Sheila Rae’s mind—understanding how she felt throughout the story.

With this story, I would integrate Social Studies by discussing the importance and purpose of maps. (If Sheila Rae had a map, she probably could have found her way home.) I would point out key features of a map and allow students the opportunity to create a map of their own—showing how they get from one part of the school (our classroom) to another (the cafeteria). This would be a great way to integrate Social Studies into reading.

 

In terms of comprehension, I would have students compare/contrast Sheila Rae to another Kevin Henkes character—possibly Wemberly (the worrier). This would allow students to make text-to-text connections, which boosts their comprehension. Here is an example of a Venn Diagram that could be completed as a whole group, in small groups, or individually depending on students’ ability.

Here are some questions/prompts that could guide discussion of this story: 

1.    Tell me about a time you were brave.

2.    Tell me about a time when you felt scared or loney—as Sheila Rae did when she was lost on her way home from school. 

3.    How is Sheila Rae like Wemberly? How is she different?