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Dream Big & Love More: LeBron James on His New Picture Book I Promise
NBA champion and cultural icon LeBron James makes his picture book debut with his inspirational and approachable “I Promise” pledge. Beautifully illustrated by Nina Mata, LeBron’s I Promise follows a diverse group of children and encourages them to be resilient, respectful, imaginative and, above all, true to themselves. No matter who you are or where you’re from, kindness and acceptance can lead to excellence. So, we were thrilled to ask Lebron James a few questions on everything from the inspirations for this uplifting picture book to his favorite books when he was young. AND don’t miss a very special Saturday #BNStorytime on August 15th at 11AM ET on B&N Facebook & YouTube where illustrator Nina Mata will read, I Promise with a special shoutout from LeBron himself!
Ships in 1-2 days.
When did you know you wanted to create a picture book?
When we started out, we never dreamed of creating a children’s book. As we got deeper into our work and what we’re trying to do with these families, we found more opportunities to engage with them. The promise is something everyone in our program relates to – students, parents, teachers, siblings, everyone. It’s something they take pride in and something they’ve found gives them purpose and hope. That’s a powerful thing. This book is an opportunity to share that hope and inspiration with kids all over the world.
What was your creative process for this project? Did you have any writing rituals?
This process was pretty simple because the promise is something we live every day. We say the words, we wear the bands on our wrists, and it’s a part of our daily lives. So, it was more about figuring out how we can share this message and make it relatable to all kids. We want every child and family that picks up this book to be able to take something from it and apply it to their lives.
What books did you read and love when you were young, and still recommend to children today?
I’ve always loved reading. Some of my favorite books that I grew up reading are Go, Dog. Go!, The Cat in the Hat, all of the Goosebumps series by R.L. Stine, The Giving Tree and the classic, If You Give A Mouse A Cookie. I hope kids are still reading all of these!
In this digital age, why are reading and bookstores so important?
You can learn so much from books. They can take you places you’ve never been, put you in situations you never considered, help you learn lessons and find inspiration. Reading others’ stories is what gives us perspective and opens our minds to so much possibility. For me personally, when I need to disconnect or get away for a bit, I read. And I like having the books in my hand and being able to take it with me wherever I go. Books are an irreplaceable form of learning.