Way Champs Play

Born in Japan to a Haitian-American father and a Japanese mother, Naomi Osaka has lived and trained in the United States since age three. She has been ranked No. 1 by the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) and is the first Asian player to hold the top ranking in singles. She is also a four-time Grand Slam singles champion. Along with being one of the world's most celebrated athletes, Osaka has gained significant recognition as an activist, showcasing support for Black Lives Matter and becoming a mental health advocate after withdrawing from the 2020 French Open for mental health reasons. She’s been named one of the 2020 Sports Illustrated Sportspersons of the Year and included on Time's annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2019, 2020, and 2021, as well as 2021 Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year. Finally, at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, she became the first tennis player to light the Olympic cauldron during the opening ceremony.Kamala Nair, an architect, children's book illustrator, and author, believes that her dreams sprouted wings in the small coastal Indian state called Kerala. It's difficult to wipe the smile off her lips when she travels, for she finds joy in diverse cultures, people, and architecture. Outside her workstation, you can usually find her basking in earthy sunsets, savoring lustrous green pastures during her walks, or swimming alongside the fishes.

The playfully rhyming text matches the pace of the illustrations, bursting with energy as the athletes race along the track and exuding peaceful calm while they pause to meditate. Nair’s adorable illustrations shine. This book is a Grand Slam. — Kirkus ReviewsCharming book affirms girl athletes, teaches sportsmanship. — Common Sense Media