Lorenzo Fornaciari – illustratör

Awaken your child’s inner champion—and love of reading—with these motivational sports stories for kids ages 6–9. “From overcoming challenges to advocating for change, this book shows how true champions inspire us both on and off the field.”—Allyson Felix, seven-time Olympic gold medalist and founder of SayshDo you have a sports-obsessed kid eager to learn more about their favorite stars? Thrill them with From Challenge to Champion, a collection of stories about legendary athletes from soccer, basketball, gymnastics, baseball, and more. They’ll learn how these athletes overcame incredible challenges—whether injury, doubt, burnout, or difficult beginnings—and emerged victorious. From Simone Biles and Serena Williams to Lionel Messi and LeBron James, each athlete’s tale is a testament to hard work and perseverance that is sure to inspire and empower your child. Perfect for bedtime reading, classroom libraries, or as a gift to young readers, this book is sure to become a treasured early chapter book.What’s Inside? 12 uplifting sports heroes. Dive into the lives of LeBron James, Serena Williams, Michael Jordan, Simone Biles, Jessica Long, Megan Rapinoe, Jackie Robinson, Allyson Felix, Patrick Mahomes, Chloe Kim, Tom Brady, and Lionel Messi—top athletes from America’s most beloved sports.Life lessons that go beyond sports. Valuable insights on resilience, growth mindset, and the importance of believing in oneself inspire young readers to go after their own dreams.Additional athletes to know and love. 12 more short biographies of breakout stars like Caitlin Clark, Coco Gauff, and C. J. Stroud.Easy-to-read format that’s a slam dunk for new readers. Short chapters, fun illustrations, and simple language keep kids engaged and motivated to read more.

Fuel your child’s big dreams—and spark their love of reading—with these inspiring stories of soccer’s greatest stars. A perfect book for FIFA World Cup 2026!Does your kid dream of dribbling through defenders to kick the winning goal? Are they obsessed with “the beautiful game”? Score big with your young reader with Inspiring Stories of Soccer Greats! This uplifting collection shares stories of the game’s biggest legends and its most remarkable teams.Whether it’s learning about Lionel Messi’s record-breaking journey, or how the 1999 US Women’s National Team broke barriers, or how Alex Morgan and Vinicius Jr. stood up for what’s right, every page motivates young readers to dream bigger, work harder, and believe in their potential—on and off the pitch.Inside this book, kids will discover:An all-star lineup of global soccer stars. Read about the 1999 US Women’s National Team, 2015–2016 Leicester City, David Clarke, Gianluigi Buffon, Marta, Lionel Messi, Alex Morgan, Sadio Mané, Mo Salah, Christian Pulisic, Asisat Oshoala, Vinicius Jr., and Ada Hegerberg.Life lessons that go beyond the game. Stories about resilience, teamwork, and self-belief will help kids face their own challenges with the heart of a champion.More athletes to follow—and fall in love with. Learn about 12 more current soccer players, including Aitana Bonmati, Ousmane Dembélé, Lamine Yamal, Trinity Rodman, and more.An engaging read for emerging readers. Short chapters, packed with fun trivia, build confidence in even the most reluctant readers.The perfect soccer gift for kids who dream big. Whether for the 2026 World Cup, birthdays, holidays, or just because your kid loves soccer, this book makes a thoughtful addition to any kid’s library.Want even more inspiration for your young sports fan? Complete your sports book collection with From Challenge to Champion, Inspiring Stories of Football Greats, and Inspiring Stories of Baseball Greats.

Get your kid dreaming big—and reading more—with this inspiring baseball book full of heart, hustle, and heroics.Does your little slugger dream of hitting a grand slam? Are they obsessed with learning all about their favorite baseball players? Inspiring Stories of Baseball Greats showcases baseball’s trailblazing players, iconic teams, and heartwarming stories, making it the perfect book for kids who can’t get enough of America’s favorite pastime.Whether it’s learning how stars like Derek Jeter and Shohei Ohtani overcame early struggles, or how Jim Abbott pitched a no-hitter with one hand, or how Jackie Robinson and the 1947 Brooklyn Dodgers changed the world, each story shows that greatness isn’t just about talent—it’s about heart. These stories will motivate young sports fans to work hard, to believe in themselves, and to keep swinging for the fences no matter what.  Inside this inspiring collection, kids will discover:More than 100 years of baseball history: Read about timeless heroes, modern stars, and historic teams, including Babe Ruth, the 1947 Brookly Dodgers, Hank Aaron, Roberto Clemente, Reggie Jackson, Jim Abbott, Derek Jeter, José Bautista, the 2016 Chicago Cubs, Mookie Betts, Aaron Judge, and Shohei Ohtani.Real-life lessons: Learn how great players and teams dealt with failure, tough beginnings, injuries, and doubts—and still rose to greatness.Even more baseball stars to know and love: Enjoy 12 short biographies of current MLB stars like Paul Skenes, Juan Soto, Elly De La Cruz, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Gunnar Henderson, and more.An easy-to-read book that’s perfect for young readers: Action-packed chapters and engaging illustrations will keep even the most reluctant readers hooked.An ideal gift for baseball fans: Filled with fun trivia and inspiring moments, this book makes a fantastic gift for birthdays, holidays—or just because.Ready to keep growing your child’s love of reading and sports? Check out the other titles in this series, including From Challenge to Champion: 12 Inspiring Sports Stories for New Readers, Inspiring Stories of Football Greats, and the forthcoming Inspiring Stories of Soccer Greats.