Going Against the Grain
A Social-Emotional Learning Children’s Book About Self-Belief, Perseverance, and the Courage to Build Your Own Path
On the block, everybody follows the path. Swoosh builds his own.
Going Against the Grain is a character-driven children's picture book about what it takes to believe in your own idea when everyone around you is doing the same thing. When Swoosh starts turning recycled parts into a robot for a young inventors' contest, his friend Jamal and the rest of the block tell him to drop it and do what everyone else does — and he has to choose between fitting in and trusting the idea only he can see.
Through engaging characters, real setbacks, and the quiet courage to keep building, this story shows children that:
Believing in yourself is a sign of strength, not stubbornness
Every “no” can be used to build something better
Being different takes courage — and courage can be built
Instead of telling children what to think, Going Against the Grain invites them to reflect, ask questions, and discover what self-belief really looks like. Perfect for families, educators, and classrooms, this SEL + STEAM-aligned book helps children build confidence, perseverance, and the courage to be themselves — in a way that feels real, relatable, and lasting.
Because the first thing you build is belief in yourself
Reading Age
5 - 10
Themes
SEL + STEAM
Proverb
Going Against The Grain
Series
Proverbs From
The Hood™
Setting
Morgan Park,
Chicago
See What Kids Will Learn
SEL + STEAM outcomes, explained in under 30 seconds
Conversation
over lectures
Thinking
over telling
Growth
over quick lessons
A Children's Book About Self-Belief, Perseverance & the Courage to Be Different
Many kids are taught to fit in. This story shows them the quiet power of building their own path.
In Morgan Park on the South Side of Chicago, everyone on the block knows how things are done. So when Swoosh starts collecting scrap parts to build a robot no one asked for, the doubt comes fast — from his friends, and even from a teacher who tells him to take small steps first. Instead of dropping his idea, Swoosh takes a breath and decides to believe in it, even when no one else can see it yet.
This social-emotional learning picture book treats going against the grain honestly: it isn't about ignoring everyone. It's about knowing the difference between fitting in and being yourself — and finding the courage to keep building when the answer still lives only inside you. Like every Proverbs From The Hood™ story, it's set in a real, recognizable community and grounded in lived experience, not a lesson dressed up as a tale.
How self-belief grows when no one else believes yet
Why perseverance means using every “no” to build something better
How to handle peer pressure and stay yourself without shutting others out
What it looks like to turn doubt into a finished, working thing
More Than a Story — A Blueprint for Believing in Your Own Idea
Kids don't just hear “believe in yourself.” They watch what it actually takes.
Self-Belief & Self-Awareness
SEL
-
Choosing to keep going when the idea lives only inside you
-
Naming doubt instead of being ruled by it
-
Telling the difference between fitting in and being yourself
Engineering & Design Thinking
STEAM
-
Repurposing recycled materials into something new
-
Prototyping, testing, and improving with each attempt
-
Solar and clean-energy thinking, in age-appropriate terms
Perseverance in the Real World
Life Skill
-
Turning repeated losses into reasons to refine
-
Finding mentors who open doors
-
Respecting other paths while choosing your own
In Going Against the Grain, children see self-belief built the way Swoosh builds his robot — one part, one setback, one retry at a time. Unlike books that simply state the lesson, this story shows the work behind it.
Characters That Show Kids What Courage Looks Like
Children learn from the characters they see themselves in.
Swoosh
The Maker Who Bets on His Own Idea
Steady and grounded, Swoosh learns that going against the grain takes more than a good idea — it takes the courage to keep building when the block tells him to quit.
Jamal
The Voice of the Expected Path
Fast, confident, and sure of his lane, Jamal speaks for “how it's done around here” — until he sees a lane he never considered, and gets curious instead of staying closed.
MooMoo
The Partner Who Helps Build the Vision
Loyal and resourceful, MooMoo shows that believing in someone else's idea — and helping make it real — is its own kind of strength.
Brooke
The One Who Sees the Sparkrs
A judge who looks past the scrap parts and sees what Swoosh is really building — modeling how the right adult can open a door at exactly the right moment.
No villains. Like every Proverbs From The Hood™ story, the only thing to overcome is doubt — and doubt is something everyone can grow past.
A Different Approach to Learning
A self-belief–driven SEL story. Here's how it stands apart.
Feature
Many Children's Books
Going Against The Grain
Builds self-belief and individual confidence
Models perseverance across repeated setbacks
Shows how to stand firm under peer pressure
Introduces engineering and design thinking
Connects SEL with STEAM
Companion tools extend the learning at home and in class
Instead of simply telling children to believe in themselves, Going Against the Grain shows the work behind it —
the doubt, the setbacks, and the choice to keep building.
If you're looking for a children's book that grows real confidence and creative courage,
This is the perfect book for you!
Aligned With Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) and Early STEAM Concepts
An SEL and STEAM children's book that builds real skills — skill by skill
Social-Emotional Learning
Mapped to CASEL competencies
-
Self-belief and self-awareness (CASEL: Self-Awareness)
-
Perseverance and determination (Self-Management)
-
Courage to be different (Responsible Decision-Making)
-
Handling doubt and disappointment (Self-Management)
STEAM-Inspired Thinking
Age-appropriate STEAM concepts
-
Engineering and design thinking
-
Prototyping and iteration
-
Repurposing recycled materials
-
Solar and clean-energy ideas
Social & Life Skills
Everyday social development
-
Sharing your vision with others (Relationship Skills)
-
Seeking out and learning from mentors
-
Respecting different paths (Social Awareness)
-
Building community through what you make
Created for Parents, Teachers, and Caregivers
Written to spark meaningful conversation — not quick moral lessons.
At the end of the story, families and educators will find tools that turn reading time into reflection:
Let's Talk About It — discussion questions grounded in real story moments
SEL prompts on self-belief, perseverance, and standing tall
STEAM connections on building, testing, and improving
Power Words To Grow With — vocabulary verified unique across the series
Determined
Resilient
Bold
Invent
Prototype
Repurpose
Solar
Mentor
Respect
Vision
Community
Self-Belief
Parents
Turn Everyday Moments Into Growth Opportunities
-
Open natural talks about ideas worth believing in
-
Help children handle a “no” and keep going
-
Encourage being yourself, even when it's harder
Educators
A Read-Aloud That Moves Beyond the Page
-
SEL-aligned read-aloud with built-in prompts
-
Sparks discussion on confidence and perseverance
-
Connects naturally to STEAM and maker units
Librarians & Programs
A Story That Brings Groups Together
-
Ideal for story time, book clubs, and small groups
-
Reflects diverse, real-world experiences
-
Encourages listening, courage, and self-expression
Free Companion Guide
Extend the story beyond the page
Most children's books end when the story does. This guide helps families and educators keep the conversation going — without lesson plans or extra prep.
What's Included
-
Self-belief and perseverance discussion prompts
-
Reflection questions tied to key story moments
-
A maker-themed STEAM activity (build & iterate)
-
Power Words to grow vocabulary and confidence
-
A simple Stop & Talk map to guide discussion
No lesson plans. No prep. Just open, read, and start the conversation.
Social-Emotional Learning Outcomes
Outcomes beyond the build
After reading, families and educators often notice small but meaningful shifts in how children approach their own ideas:
Children back their own ideas instead of waiting for permission
A “no” becomes a reason to refine, not a reason to quit
Kids tell the difference between fitting in and being themselves
Setbacks start to feel like part of building, not the end of it
Children ask for help and mentorship with more confidence
Respect grows for paths that look different from their own
Free Companion Guide
Built for the classroom, the counseling office, and the library shelf
Going Against the Grain is a discussion-ready, SEL-aligned read-aloud with curriculum support built in. The themes map directly to CASEL's five core competencies, and every copy includes a companion guide — so there's no prep and no lesson plan to write.
Self-Awareness
Self-Management
Social Awareness
Relationship Skills
Responsible Decision-Making
-
Grade bands: ideal for K–5 read-alouds and small-group SEL instruction
-
STEAM tie-in: pairs naturally with maker, engineering, and recycling units
-
Diverse representation: an authentic Black, urban Chicago community children see themselves in
-
Companion guide included: discussion prompts, Power Words, and a build-and-iterate activity
-
Bulk & institutional orders: available for classroom sets, school libraries, and programs
Families and Educators Notice the Difference
Meaningful conversations. Real teamwork. Lasting impact.
“After reading, my child started saying ‘Maybe we can do it together’ when something felt hard. That shift alone made this book worth it.”
— Parent of 6 Year Old
“This story naturally opened conversations about teamwork and shared roles. Students began talking about how everyone contributes differently.”
— Elementary Educator
“We used it in a small group, and the kids immediately related to the idea of asking for help. It turned into a collaborative activity instead of just a discussion.”
— Youth Program Facilitator
Families choose Strength in Numbers because it doesn’t just spark conversation—
it helps children learn how to support one another and solve challenges together.
Because the load gets lighter when we lift it together.
This isn’t just a book children read and put away.
It’s a story they return to—
to think, talk, and grow together.
Because the load gets lighter when we lift it together.
The Proverbs From The Hood™ Series
A growing series of diverse SEL children's books, rooted in wisdom and built for real life
Created to help children build empathy, confidence, and problem-solving skills through story, conversation, and lived experience — without being told what to think. Each book brings a timeless proverb to life in a real, recognizable community on the South Side of Chicago.
Book Three
Going Against The Grain
They learn the courage to build their own path.
Courage
Curiosity
Community
Each book stands on its own. Together, they build something bigger — a generation of children who lead with empathy, confidence, and the courage to be themselves. All without being told what to think.
Stay Connected to the Series