Children Sports

Think pro basketball begins with the opening tipoff? Think again! In this Sports Illustrated Kids book, go behind the scenes of a typical game day in professional basketball—from cleaning the hardcourt and mascot madness to locker room pep talks and postgame interviews.

Many of the greatest baseball players have earned funny, odd, or interesting nicknames during their careers. Listen to find out the stories behind baseball’s legendary nicknames.

This Sports Illustrated Kids title combines fast-paced action, famous plays, and SEL skills to show what sets your favorite athletes and teams apart.

This Sports Illustrated Kids title combines fast-paced action, famous plays, and SEL skills to show what sets your favorite athletes and teams apart—on and off the court.

This Sports Illustrated Kids title combines fast-paced action, famous plays, and SEL skills to show what sets your favorite athletes and teams apart—on and off the baseball diamond.

Hockey fans love the pranks and stunts of these and many other colorful mascots. Join the party and learn all about the weirdest hockey mascots!

On opening night, a green dragon flies down to the Orlando Magic’s court on a zip line. At the Phoenix Suns’ arena, a goofy gorilla leaps off a trampoline and slams a big-time dunk. On the Chicago Bulls’ court, a fuzzy red bull shoots T-shirts into the crowd. Basketball fans love to laugh and cheer at the shenanigans of these and many other colorful mascots. Have a blast learning about the zaniest basketball mascots!

In the Dallas Cowboys’ stadium, the crowd cheers for a cowboy with a huge hat who roars onto the field on a four-wheeler. In Kansas City, a big, furry wolf breaks into a rowdy dance the Chiefs’ stadium. In the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ stadium, a fearsome pirate stalks the sidelines as if he’s protecting the home team’s turf.

But first, gear up to discover the ins and outs of good fun and good luck in football. This book will delight young sports fans with some of the best and weirdest practices on the field and in the stands.

When time is running short and the Lombardi Trophy is at stake, some players seize the moment and make themselves legends. From Hail Mary passes to tackle-breaking touchdown runs, some of football's greatest moments are chronicled in vivid fashion here.

When the clock is ticking down and the stakes are high, some players seize the moment and make themselves legends. From buzzer-beating half-court shots to thunderous last-second dunks, some of basketball's greatest moments are chronicled in vivid fashion here. You've got a courtside seat to the action.

In this first book in the semi-autobiographical middle grade series from MLB pitcher Marcus Stroman, a young baseball player learns that perfect games only come with a lot of practice—and some strikeouts. Young Marcus Stroman is determined to make it to the highest playing level he can, despite every coach telling him he’s not tall enough to become a “real” pitcher. He’ll show them…with some struggling and a whole lot of learning.

Whether you call him King James or simply LeBron, one thing is certain: LeBron James is THE face of the NBA. At just eighteen, and facing sky-high expectations, LeBron headed straight from high school to the pros. Cool under pressure, he went on to shatter the record books and become the most popular athlete in America.

By winning the state high school basketball championship in 1955, ten teens from an Indianapolis school meant to be the centerpiece of racially segregated education in the state shattered the myth of their inferiority. Their brilliant coach had fashioned an unbeatable team from a group of boys born in the South and raised in poverty. Anchored by the astonishing Oscar Robertson, a future college and NBA star, the Crispus Attucks Tigers went down in history as the first state champions from Indianapolis and the first all-black team in U.S. history to win a racially open championship tournament.

Follow Messi as he overcomes physical obstacles and personal setbacks to become one of the most skilled and beloved athletes in the world. Learn about his incredible work ethic, unwavering determination, and the values that have helped him become a role model for children and adults alike.

Quarterback Lamar Jackson became the NFL’s Most Valuable Player in 2019. It was only his second year in the league. Listeners will learn how Jackson overcame a difficult childhood and went on to become one of the NFL’s rising stars and the youngest quarterback to ever start in a playoff game!

Nothing can stop star running back Harris Weathers—until he takes a jarring hit, narrowly escaping injury. Harris is fine, physically, but his nerves are rattled. He can’t shake the idea that he could get hurt playing football. After faking illness to get out of a game, Harris realizes he has a decision to make. Does he love football enough to risk a big hit again?

Malcolm loves two things—baseball and science. He’s always studying the stats and coming up with ideas to help his team gain an advantage over the competition. But when Malcolm’s homemade glove oil causes a major blowup with his teammates, he must find a way to win back their trust.

Maisie loves pitching for her softball team in Arizona, so she’s crushed when she has to move to Minnesota to live with her dad. Upset about the move and her parents’ divorce, Maisie isn’t thrilled when her dad asks her to join his curling team. She thinks it’s a strange sport. But as she learns more about curling—and how much her dad loves it—she begins to have a change of heart. But when its crunch time for the team, will Maisie be able to take charge and lead?

Lou and her brother Otto have played on the same hockey team since they were young. Coach Lopez has always recognized Lou as one of the best players on the team, even though she’s the only girl. But Coach has been deployed with his Army Reserves unit. Coach Hoctor is taking over for the next few months . . . and gives his son Lou’s starting spot. Can Lou and her teammates convince their new coach of her talent?