Jalen Hurts, a Houston native and NFL quarterback, is an accomplished athlete. His professional career began in 2020 for the Philadelphia Eagles. In 2022, Hurts won Player of the Month, an award not given to Philadelphia for five years. Shortly following, he won NFC Offensive Player of the Week. At his second Super Bowl, LIX, the Eagles took home the trophy. Hurts threw for 221 yards with two touchdowns and an interception while also rushing for 72 yards and a touchdown, earning him Super Bowl MVP.
Off the high of his Super Bowl win, Hurts and illustrator Nneka Myers have collaborated to create Better Than a Touchdown. This children’s book aims to encourage kids to believe in themselves while being a part of something bigger. Jalen Hurts says, “It’s always been a dream of mine to have my own children’s book, and I’m blessed to say that dream has now become a reality.”
Hurts announced the book at his own childhood school, Tice Elementary in Houston. In the book, young Jalen is anticipating the new school year so he can try out for the football team. When he finds out the team has been cut, Jalen and his friends are devastated. Not ready to give up his dreams, they all work together to save the football team. Hurts hopes that not only children, but also mentors and teachers, will enjoy his book and the life values from his childhood that are embodied within its pages.
Available for preorder, Better Than a Touchdown is scheduled to hit shelves in March 2026. In the meantime, we can look to other athlete authors to satiate our need for inspiring children’s books about sports.
The Boldest White by Ibtihaj Muhammad with S.K. Ali, Illustrated by Hatem Aly
Ibtihaj Muhammad is a fencing Olympic athlete who was the first Muslim American woman in hijab to compete for the United States and the first Muslim American woman to medal in the 2016 Olympics. An icon, Muhammad, inspires girls everywhere with a hijabi Barbie made in her likeness. The Boldest White follows Faizah as she faces her fears about performing in front of others. In a story of bravery, we discover that it is our friends and family who help us be our authentic selves.
The Life-Changing Magic of Skateboarding by Sky Brown, Illustrated by Shaw Davidson
Sky Brown is a skateboarder from the UK who was a professional athlete at the age of 10. Brown went on to earn Bronze medals in the 2020 and 2024 Olympics. The Life-Changing Magic of Skateboarding is a super instructional book for kids who love skateboarding. Colorfully illustrated, I loved that this book combined safety gear terminology, Sky Brown’s love of skateboarding, and how-to descriptions for tricks.
I Promise by LeBron James, Illustrated by Niña Mata
A man who needs no introduction, NBA superstar LeBron James has won four NBA championships, played in 16 All-Star games, and won three Olympic gold medals, among other notable achievements. I Promise is filled with vibrant illustrations and rhyming verse, reminding kids to strive for greatness and do their best. Filled with affirming promises, this is a simple way to encourage children — and some adults — to do the right things, to be kind, and “reach for my star, even when I can’t see it.”
Try by Rob Burrow, Kevin Sinfield, and Emma Adams, Illustrated by David Whitehouse
Kevin Sinfield and Rob Burrow met playing Rugby for the Leeds Rhinos in England. The late Burrow overcame his small stature (for rugby) by being the fastest on his team and becoming a Hall of Fame athlete. Sinfield is now the defence coach for the England national rugby union team and champions fundraisers for the rare motor neurone disease that claimed his friend’s life. Try is a heartwarming story of two classmates trying to complete an assignment about their heroes. With vivid imagery and playground scenes, they find that sometimes your heroes are closer than you think.
Ready, Steady, Mo! by Mo Farah, Kes Gray, and Marta Kissi
Another Olympic medalist, Mo Farah, is a long-distance runner who was the first British athlete to win two gold medals at the same world championship. Farah won four gold medals in the 2012 and 2016 Olympics and became a knight in 2017. Ready, Steady, Mo! encourages fitness in a fun way that is sure to capture the attention of little ones. The rhyming makes it enjoyable for parents to read aloud, and the silliness of running through the house is as memorable as it is gregarious.
Splash! by Claire Cashmore, Illustrated by Sharon Davey
Claire Cashmore is a British paralympic swimmer who has won nine medals in triathlon and eight in the Paralympic Games across multiple swimming categories. Splash! is a remarkable story of young Claire, who hated swimming when she was little. In a lively retelling, Claire shows us that when we believe in ourselves, anything is possible. Cashmore’s disability is normalized throughout the book, clearly illustrated but only discussed when necessary.
Winners Never Quit! by Mia Hamm, Illustrated by Carol Thompson
Mia Hamm is an American Soccer champion who is a two-time Olympic gold medalist, in 1996 and 2004, and a two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup champion. Winners Never Quit! follows young Mia playing soccer. She loves scoring goals but hates when she misses. She wants to quit, but through the story, her teammates cheer her on, and she decides that she loves soccer more than she hates losing.
Inspiring stories like the ones above can teach our children lessons that they can carry with them throughout their lives. With colorful illustrations, these athlete authors give us a glimpse into their lives. From football to rugby and Olympic athletes of all kinds, these books will inspire you and your loved ones.
For more, check out our Ultimate List of Kids’ Books About Female Athletes
Find these books and more on our Mini Bookworms Delightful Recommendations Bookshelf on Bookshop.org.
