Rafa Nadal: What really matters is being happy along the way, not waiting until you reach the finish line

by Marta Barroso, Mónica Carretero (Illustrator), Jon Brokenbrow (Translator)

Overview

Winner at the 2017 International Latino Book Awards. From the beginning, honesty and true values have always guided the great tennis player Rafa Nadal through success.

“Once upon a time, there was a little boy who loved tennis and soccer, just like so many other children in every corner of the world. He was four years old and he spent the whole day kicking a ball around and glued to a tennis racket”. Rafa Nadal developed an innate talent for tennis as a child, and he always had a beacon of light that reminded him of what is truly important: respect, commitment, family, truth, responsibility.

The What Really Matters Series presents real-life stories of people who realized their greatest potential despite challenges presented to them. Endorsed by the main characters, it benefits the What Really Matters Foundation, which promotes universal human values by showcasing extraordinary achievements by inspiring people.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9788416733071
Publisher:	Cuento de Luz
Publication date:	04/11/2017
Series:	Cuento de Luz What Really Matters Series
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	8.80(w) x 10.20(h) x 0.40(d)
Lexile:	AD930L (what's this?)
Age Range:	7 - 10 Years

About the Author

Marta Barroso is a Spanish journalist. Since her university days, she was fortunate to practice her trade on television, radio, and various media outlets. She joined the Spanish ABC newspaper, home of her professional life for more than thirty years. She has written on many subjects and done many interviews, always focussed on her great interest in social issues.

Mónica Carretero was born in Madrid, but now lives happily in Segovia, where she draws colorful illustrations and writes books for children. She assures that her job makes her feel alive. A passion well depicted in her sunny drawings and original, cheerful characters. She has illustrated dozens of books, games, and posters for Spain, England, France, Korea, Australia, and the United States. Since 2011, her work has been recognized on several occasions, being awarded at the London Book Fair, the Latino Book Awards in the United States, and also in the BookExpo America.

Editorial Reviews

"(...) Recommended for specific topical studies or as general additions to biography collections." —School Library Journal

"A graphic bet molded in a delicate work that combines several techniques (pencil, pen, watercolor and computer retouching) and textures. Combining biographical and allegorical elements, this book extols effort and humility" —Apegoyliteratura

From the Publisher

06/01/2017
Gr 2–4—Written in a narrative style, each book in the series tackles the life of a real person who faced adversity and eventually discovered a "universal value." The story of Pablo Pineda is inspiring and engaging and candidly examines the fears his family expressed about him living with Down syndrome. Lopez Lomong's journey out of poverty and danger in Sudan and into a successful Olympic career is punctuated with violence and terror as well as love and support from far-off places. The title exploring the life of Rafa Nadal is arguably the weakest of the three, struggling with a lack of clear story structure, including unexplained characters who distract from the larger narrative describing his successful tennis career. The illustrations in each book are done by different artists in different media but are made similar by their oil pastel backgrounds, uniting the titles with a stylistic touch. The entries are honest though a little heavy-handed about the lessons imparted. Spanish-language editions are also available for each of the titles. VERDICT Certainly not short on heart, these selections are recommended for specific topical studies or as general additions to biography collections.—Chelsea Pemberton, Arlington Public Library, TX

School Library Journal