What does it mean to live bravely? To hear those quiet whispers of doubt, face the unknown anyway, and believe in the possibilities that sit on the other side of fear? That’s what New York Times bestselling author Kobi Yamada’s book Living Brave is all about. The newest addition to the Add More Goodness series, this empowering little book is filled with wisdom on learning to trust ourselves, take action, and allow challenges to change us in beautiful ways.
Each insight is brought to life through artist Charles Santoso’s detailed illustrations of a hopeful hedgehog, reminding readers that life’s greatest adventures begin when we unfurl and follow our hearts.
We asked author Kobi Yamada to share the inspiration behind this heart-stirring book.
July 21, 2026
Kimberly
Inspiration for Living Brave
What do you hope people will experience as they read Living Brave?
YAMADA: My hope is that Living Brave will inspire readers to live a bolder version of their lives. So many good things happen when we have the courage to try, to do, and to be more. While striving to live more bravely won’t necessarily make life trouble-free or easy, it could make it more interesting, exciting, and meaningful.
There’s a striking line in the introduction of this book that reads: “Avoiding being afraid is not the same as being brave.” Can you tell us more about what this means to you and what makes these two things different from one another?
YAMADA: I believe that when your goal is to avoid being afraid, that can lead to taking fewer chances and playing it so safe that you miss out on impactful opportunities. Being brave is much different. It acknowledges that fear and risk are a part of life, but so is facing those fears and meeting those challenges. Courage is a pathway to learning and growing and building confidence. So, in many ways, avoiding being afraid makes the possibilities for your life smaller and smaller. While being brave expands those possibilities in a way that makes your life bigger and bigger.
The subtitle for this book is How to Add More Confidence to Your Courage. How would you describe the relationship between “confidence” and “courage”?
YAMADA: I believe confidence and courage are interconnected and one can help feed the other. I also see them as essential life skills. And because they are skills, we all can continue to grow and develop them throughout our lives.
How did you and illustrator Charles Santoso decide on a hedgehog as the main character in this book? What does it signify to you?
YAMADA: Charles is a master at what he does. I feel our selection of a hedgehog is perfect for a book focusing on bravery and courage. When threatened or afraid, hedgehogs curl up and retreat into themselves for protection. This makes the hedgehog the ideal character to explore facing fears and being open to the challenges in life. Charles illustrated this vulnerable character in a way where we can feel it summoning the courage to open up, take on challenges, be there for others, and live bravely.
Do you have a favorite illustration?
YAMADA: One of my favorite illustrations is when our little hedgehog has built a larger version of itself in the snow. I think this is brilliant. We often want to believe a bigger, better version of ourselves will live in the future—someone who has learned and grown from their mistakes and efforts. I believe it takes courage to work toward the development of our future selves, and to believe it is possible.
Whether it’s for a recent graduate, a milestone birthday, or someone preparing to take a leap into the unknown, Living Brave is a thoughtful gift to inspire courage for whatever comes next.
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