author/illustrator: Jean-François Sénéchal, Simone Rea
ages: 5+
64 pages
21.5 x 28 cm
hardback with jacket
French/English
Comme des géants (Canada)
Rights sold: Italian, Korean, French, English, Portuguese (Brazil)
I Will Not Be Scared
A potent story about the power of talking through our fears to set ourselves free of them.
Our fears can consume the entirety of our lives — unless we find ways to free ourselves of them. As a young rabbit tries to fall asleep one night, kept awake by the trauma of his family’s past life in a war-torn region, he replays scenes in head of an entirely new battle: being attacked by bullies the previous day at school.
While his mother tries to encourage him to open up about the incident itself, he hesitates, instead questioning whether he possesses enough courage at all. It’s only through addressing the root of his fears, a process that is never easy, that he understands how to free himself and move forward.
- Prix des libraires du Québec 2026, "Québec picture book" category
IN THE MEDIA
"Soft illustrations and tender language contrast the sharp poignancy of this picture book about the lingering trauma of war and displacement. (...) A variety of anthropomorphized animals take the edge off striking illustrations (...). A cautiously hopeful conclusion rounds out this potent text." — by Danielle Ballantyne, Foreword Review (Starred Review)
" (...) A sweeping treatise on atrocity and resilience, Sénéchal’s text, translated from French, is dialogic and profound; Rea’s art, with its innovative composition and gorgeous jewel-toned colorwork, is similarly intense. Backgrounds largely done in shades of crimson set a nightmarish tone, and several scenes clearly depict the pain and suffering explicitly referenced in the narrative. An extraordinary piece to be shared with utmost care." — Kirkus review
"With an economy of words that intensifies emotion, and illustrations of great power, this picture book opens up an essential space for dialogue, helping us to understand the roots of fear, to free ourselves from it, and to find the courage to move forward nonetheless." — Les libraires, Canada
THE AUTHOR
As the son of two teachers, Jean-François Sénéchal grew up around books. After studying anthropology for a time, he ultimately gravitated back to his first love, devoting himself entirely to literature. His stories have garnered him various honors, including the 2017 Joseph S. Stauffer Prize from the Canada Council for the Arts, and a Governor General’s Award for children’s literature.
By the same author:
THE ILLUSTRATOR
Simone Rea is an accomplished artist and illustrator who creates works for children’s books, magazines, and other publications. A graduate of the Fine Arts Academy in Rome, he has twice been selected for the Bologna Illustrators Exhibition and was awarded a BIB Plaque at the Biennial of Illustrations Bratislava. He lives and works in his home municipality of Albano-Laziale, Italy. He is a silver-medal recipient (illustrated books category) from the internationally prestigious Society of Illustrator’s 66th annual exhibit.