🍪 Make Your Own Courage Cookie!
Hey, brave Codekeepers! 🦁🧭
In The Courage Code: Secret of the Forgotten Compass (Book 1 of our 25-book Codekeepers series), Jonah and friends discover courage while facing the Fear Brigade’s shadows. But what fuels their bravery? Mrs. Goldstein’s courage cookies! 🍪💛
Inspired by my own baking adventures, here’s a recipe to spark your own courage—perfect for sharing with your team! 👩🍳👨🍳
🍪 Courage Cookie Recipe (Makes ~12 cookies)
📝 Ingredients
1 cup flour (for strength 💪)
½ cup sugar (for sweetness 🍬 — see note below)
½ cup butter (for warmth, like Leo’s glow 🌟)
1 egg (for unity, like the Codekeepers 🤝)
1 tsp vanilla (for a dash of magic ✨)
Sprinkles (for joy, like Jax’s jokes 😂)
🥣 Steps
🧈 Mix butter and sugar until creamy. Add egg and vanilla — stir with heart! ❤️
🍪 Add flour, mix into dough. Shape into compass or lion shapes (for Jonah and Leo).
🌈 Add sprinkles. Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 10–12 minutes.
🎉 Cool, share, and enjoy with your team!
💡 Sweetness Note for Parents
½ cup sugar → classic, kid-friendly sweetness.
⅓ cup sugar → lighter version if you want less sweet (sprinkles will still add fun flavor).
Swap half for brown sugar or honey → chewier cookies with a warm caramel taste. 🍯
👉 Reflection Question: Which Codekeeper would YOU share your first courage cookie with — Jonah, Maya, Jax, Zoe, or Trevor? 💭
💪 Why Courage Matters in Everyday Life
When we think about courage, we often picture epic battles ⚔️, daring rescues 🚒, or great adventures 🗺️. But the truth is, courage shows up in small, everyday choices — and those choices matter just as much as the big ones.
Hey, brave Codekeepers! In The Courage Code: Secret of the Forgotten Compass, Jonah learns courage from a winking lion and a glowing compass. But real courage? It’s in small choices, not epic battles.
For kids, it’s:
🗣️ Speaking up in class, knees shaking.
🤝 Defending a friend like the Codekeepers battle shadows.
🌟Trying new things, even if you flop.
For parents and teachers, it’s:
💛 Modeling kindness on tough days.
🕊️ Being patient when kids stumble.
🙌 Encouraging bravery, like Leo guides Jonah.
The Courage Code invites us to spot bravery everywhere—because moving forward despite fear changes everything.
👉 Reflection Question for Readers:
What’s one small brave act you’ve seen this week (in school, home, or yourself)?
✨ What Inspires the Characters of Calvary Lane
Hey, brave Codekeepers! When I dreamed up the 25-book Codekeepers of Calvary Lane series, I wanted characters kids could spot in their classrooms, families, or mirrors. Inspired by real-life kids, timeless values, and growing-up challenges, each Codekeeper reflects pieces of us all.
Here’s the scoop on their inspirations:
🧭 Jonah – Compass of Courage
Jonah came from my love of underdog heroes — kids who don’t think they’re strong enough but discover bravery step by step. He’s witty, anxious, and unsure at times, but he keeps moving forward. His courage is inspired by the kids who stand up even when it’s hard, proving that bravery and humility go hand in hand.
🛡️ Maya – Shield of Love
Maya was inspired by the sharp, brainy kids I’ve met who sometimes hide their kindness behind quick wit and logic. She’s fast-talking and blunt, but underneath, her shield is powered by love. She reminds us that compassion isn’t weakness — it’s the strongest protection of all.
🔥 Jax – Flame of Unity
Jax came from the jokesters I’ve known — the kids who can’t stop cracking jokes, even in serious moments. But behind his humor is a loyal heart. His Flame shows that joy isn’t just silliness — it’s what keeps people together when times are tough.
🔑 Zoe – Key of Forgiveness
Zoe was born from kids who often stay quiet but are always watching. She’s sharp, protective, and always strategizing. Her longing for belonging reflects so many kids who feel like outsiders. Her Key reveals that forgiveness doesn’t just unlock second chances for others — it can unlock our own hearts too.
🪞 Trevor – Mirror of Truth
Trevor’s story comes from real kids I’ve seen who’ve made mistakes and found the courage to change. Once a bully, now he’s learning to use his strength for good. His Mirror reflects the truth about who we are and who we can become.
The Codekeepers aren’t perfect — and that’s the magic! They learn courage, love, joy, forgiveness, and truth, just like you.
✨ Which Codekeeper do you relate to the most?
🧭 Meet Jonah: The Boy with the Compass
Hey, brave Codekeepers! 🦁✨ Every epic adventure needs a hero who’s just like you. Meet Jonah, the heart of The Courage Code: Secret of the Forgotten Compass — Book 1 in our 25-book Codekeepers series! 📚🌍
When a stained-glass lion winks, Jonah’s mom’s old compass suddenly sparks to life. It isn’t broken after all — it’s the Compass of Courage, and it chooses Jonah to lead the fight against the Fear Brigade.
But here’s the thing: Jonah isn’t fearless. His knees wobble 😨, his heart races 💓… and still, he steps forward. That’s what makes him a true hero.
🌟 Jonah’s Courage Looks Like:
💛 Choosing love over fear, even when scared.
💪 Standing tall, even when doubt whispers.
🤝 Inspiring friends like Maya, Jax, Zoe, and Trevor to be brave too.
Jonah reminds us that courage isn’t about never being afraid — it’s about taking that one shaky step forward, and discovering you’re stronger than you thought. 🌟
👉 Next up: What Inspires the Characters of Calvary Lane
🎬 Behind the Scenes of The Courage Code
Hey, brave Codekeepers! When I first began writing The Courage Code, I knew I wanted to tell a story that was both fun and meaningful. I asked myself: What if courage wasn’t about defeating dragons, but about standing up for what’s right — even when it’s scary? 🧭💛
That question led me to Jonah and his friends, the Codekeepers. Each of them carries a magical artifact that represents a different virtue — courage, love, unity, forgiveness, and truth. Together, they face the Fear Brigade, who thrive on shadows of fear and lies. 🌑⚔️
My hope is that kids who read The Courage Code will see themselves in Jonah and his friends — learning that courage isn’t about never being afraid, but about taking the next step forward even when fear tries to hold you back. 🌟
👉 Stay tuned, because in the next post, we’ll dive deeper into one of my favorite characters: Jonah!
🏡 Welcome to the Codekeepers’ World!
Hey, brave readers! Welcome to the heart of The Courage Code: Secret of the Forgotten Compass, Book 1 of the epic 25-book Codekeepers of Calvary Lane series! Join Jonah, Maya, Jax, Zoe, and Trevor as a winking lion and a glowing compass lead them against the creepy Fear Brigade.🎉
Dive into:
Behind-the-scenes secrets from my desk ✍️
Fun puzzles and coloring pages 🎨
Character scoops and comic book teasers 👀
Updates on new books and events 📚
Courage isn’t fearlessness—it’s choosing love when shadows loom. Ready for the adventure?