Mariann Edgar Budde, the Episcopal Bishop who encouraged President Trump to show compassion to those afraid of his policies, has scored a two-book deal. The Right Reverend will see a picture book and a non-fiction book adapted for young readers come from her 2023 book, How We Learn to Be Brave: Decisive Moments in Life and Faith.
A young reader’s adaptation of Budde’s original book is scheduled for release in October 2025. The book, published by Penguin Young Readers and adapted by novelist Bryan Bliss, will be called We Can Be Brave. A picture book based on Budde’s adult nonfiction book is also slated for release in 2026. This book will be called I Can Learn To Be Brave and will feature illustrations by Holly Hatam.
“Every day, children and adolescents face challenges that require great courage — from taking their first steps to walking through the doors of a new school,” Right Reverend Budde shared in a statement. “With these books, I hope to remind young readers that learning to be brave is simply part of life.”
The Episcopal Bishop went on to say, “The process [of being brave] involves taking risks, making mistakes, asking for help, and slowly gaining competence in whatever once felt impossible. We never stop learning to be brave, and some of our most formative experiences occur when we are young.”
Some counted Mariann Edgar Budde as extremely brave in January when she implored President Trump to show compassion while speaking at an inauguration prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral. Budde used Trump’s testimony of being saved by God from multiple assassination attempts to drive home her point.
“You have felt the providential hand of a loving God,” the bishop said. “In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now.”
Both President Trump and Vice President JD Vance condemned Bishop Budde’s comments. Trump took to social media to call her a “Radical Left hardline Trump hater.”
Still, many appreciated Bishop Budde’s message and became acquainted with How We Learn to Be Brave: Decisive Moments in Life and Faith as a result of her comments at the inauguration prayer event. Her forthcoming books will be available online and at bookstores nationwide.