Ready for the summer? Consider taking a look at the Perfect Picture Book Fridays page to fill up your summer reading list.
Written by Brian Jordan
Illustrations by Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu
Suitable for: Ages 4 and up
Theme/Topic: Determination, Siblings, Athletics
Opening: When Brian was a little boy, 
he was eager to do everything. 
But he especially loved to play sports. 
Brief Synopsis: Brian likes to play sports, but his older brother and sister didn’t like him following them and tells him he’s too young. Brian insisted he can play. His abilities are tested in a game one day.
Link to Resources: Sports preschool lesson plans. The Brian Jordan Foundation was formed in 1998 by Brian Jordan both a Major League Baseball and a National Football League player. The foundation’s site explains its mission — In every child, there is the potential for excellence. Reading through the foundation site provides plenty of topics about success, failure and how some children need help to improve or thrive.
Why I chose this book: This book came to Enzo via an author visit at my niece’s school in Georgia. We’ve read it several times. It’s a little stilted in places, but the message to be determined and focus shines through. The illustration and story holds Enzo’s interest. The Brian Jordan Foundation encourages children to “Be Focused. Be Dedicated. Be Determined. And you will be a winner.” The story does this too. 
As a writer, I enjoy digging a little deeper into the PPBF books and thinking. Some items make it into the Friday posts like this Cynthia Leitich Smith’s interview with the husband and wife illustration team of Jordan’s book. Others are just gems to study.
To find more picture books and resources, please visit Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog and look for the Perfect Picture Books page.