If you are looking for a gentle but deeply meaningful picture book that teaches empathy, courage, and compassion for animals, Courageous Conner by Heather Leughmyer is a powerful and important choice. Through carefully illustrated scenes and honest storytelling, this book invites children to see the world through the eyes of a vulnerable calf and to understand why kindness matters.
The story begins with Conner’s first moments of life. He is born on a warm June day and is lovingly cleaned by his mother as he learns to stand, nurse, and rest beside her. The illustrations show a peaceful beginning filled with safety and bonding. These early pages establish the strong connection between mother and calf and help young readers understand how deeply animals care for their families.
That peace is suddenly broken when Conner hears the cries of another calf being taken away. The images show his confusion and fear as a human approach. Despite trying to hide beside his mother, Conner is discovered and separated from her. The words and pictures together show his mother’s distress as she cries for her baby while Conner is carried away. The phrase describing a place with no mothers is especially striking and reflects the emotional weight of the moment.
As Conner is loaded into a truck, the illustrations emphasize his fear and helplessness. But they also begin to show his courage. Inside the truck, Conner kicks repeatedly at the door, exhausted but determined. Each image of him trying again reinforces the idea that even when someone is small and afraid, they can still be brave.
Eventually, Conner’s persistence pays off. The truck stops, the door opens, and Conner escapes with one small hop. The picture of him running captures both urgency and hope. Despite his fatigue, his legs move quickly as he races back toward his mother’s barn. When he reaches her, the illustrations show relief and love, but also danger. The story makes it clear that they cannot stay. To survive, they must run together.
As night falls, Conner and his mother escape under the cover of darkness. The pictures show them walking for hours until exhaustion forces them to rest. They find shelter in a large barn filled with straw and hay, where they nestle together. These quiet images reflect both safety and lingering fear. Conner thinks about the man who took him and cannot understand why someone would steal a baby from its mother. The innocence shown in these pages is one of the most emotional parts of the story.
Morning brings a turning point. Conner wakes to gentle human voices and kind faces. Although his mother is afraid, the illustrations show calm expressions and comforting hands. When the humans promise to care for both of them, the story begins to shift from fear to trust. Over time, Conner grows stronger, running, jumping, and playing as his mother watches closely. The images show a peaceful sanctuary where animals are protected from harm.
The final pages expand the message beyond Conner’s story. Children are invited to imagine visiting farm sanctuaries, meeting animals like Conner, and learning what compassion truly means. The illustrations show happy animals living freely and safely, reinforcing the idea that every living being has worth. The closing message reminds readers that animals deserve respect and that even small actions can help make the world a kinder place.
Courageous Conner is ideal for children ages four to eight, especially for families and educators who want to encourage empathy, awareness, and thoughtful conversations about animals. The story does not shy away from difficult truths, but it presents them with care, honesty, and hope.
This book stays with readers long after the final page. Through Conner’s journey, children learn that courage can come from love, that kindness can change lives, and that being small does not mean being powerless.
