Courage Like Kate: The True Story of a Girl Lighthouse Keeper Hardcover – Picture Book, August 16, 2022

My child is very impressed! Thank you

This was a great read. This is a true story. You won't be disappointed!!

This story is so fascinating and even though I live in New England, I had not heard of Kate Moore. Young readers will find the story inspiring and a great feel for the reality of 19th century coastal life. The story covers Kate’s life from pint-sized heroine to female maverick who finally got the position of light keeper that she deserved. Not your average biography thanks to Redding’s lively text, choice of just the perfect words, and lots of alliteration throughout. Young readers will feel Kate’s initial doubt, watch as she gathers her courage, and cheer as she puts aside her fear and steps up in order to save lives of many out at sea. The illustrations capture the time and place perfectly. Interesting back matter extends the story of Kate’s life with an author note, time line, and extra details not in the main text. Keeping a lighthouse was certainly much harder than I thought. This one is keeper.

Good illustrations

I’m a big fan of picture book biographies, especially when they bring to life obscure people from history with a meaningful story to tell. This one is about a young girl who ended up tending a New England lighthouse when her father became physically incapable and needed help. The writer is a former journalist. It really shows through the meticulous research and rich details poured into this book.

My three girls love it!

I love this story! The lyrical text is full of emotion and drama...and the beautiful illustrations help build the suspense. It's a perfect picture book to encourage girls that they can be what they want to be and do what they want to do. And sometimes, like Kate, you have to keep doing what needs to be done to make your voice heard.

In this gorgeously illustrated book, where the brush strokes make you feel like you’re standing in the wind on Fayerweather Island, we learn about the feats of Kate Moore, lighthouse assistant to her father and later lighthouse keeper. The work Kate did from a young age was dangerous and physically exhausting, but her love for the island and for keeping the lights burning helped her persist. It’s amazing to imagine Kate Moore as a girl as young as twelve, rowing out into ferocious waves to rescue sailors and managing to drag them into her rowboat and get them safely to shore. COURAGE LIKE KATE is an important book because it keeps the legacy of an exceptionally brave, kind, and independent woman alive. Readers will find the story empowering and the author’s note at the end moving. Share it with your children to talk about courage and skill and in classrooms to talk about the history of lighthouses and the brave women and men who kept sailors safe at sea.

Emily Sutton’s charming illustrations bring to life a true story of a fascinating and courageous woman! A wonderfully written and beautifully illustrated tale of heroism.