WFF News
May 10, 2012
Kerry's new book encourages kids' dreams
All You Can Be shows that hard work pays off
CHICAGO -- A fan favorite, Chicago Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood had dreams of becoming a successful athlete growing up. As a youth, he was committed to his goal: He wanted to be a professional baseball player. In his first children's book, All You Can Be: Learning & Growing Through Sports, for Triumph Books, Wood shows he is living proof that with hard work, determination and sacrifice, any dream -- big or small -- can become a reality.
Co-written by MLB.com reporter Carrie Muskat, Wood enlisted the help of 30 Chicago Public School fourth graders who provided drawings depicting their own goals for the future. Their work became the illustrations for All You Can Be, and a portion of all proceeds from book sales will help support children's programs run by the Wood Family Foundation.
In All You Can Be: Learning & Growing Through Sports, Wood shares the valuable principles he learned growing up that were instrumental to his current success in the big leagues. Those principles include: the importance of education; always working hard to attain goals; building character; maintaining integrity and accepting responsibility. Kerry explains how he learned each lesson and was able to evolve and grow through every experience, both good and bad.
"As a professional baseball player, I am granted the opportunity to help make an impact on today's youth and this book allows me to share the dream that became a reality with a lot of important lessons," Wood said.
All You Can Be: Learning & Growing Through Sports is a book for any young dreamer who wants to develop the character to succeed, whether it's working toward becoming the next president of the United States, the best teacher in the country, or even a pitcher for the Chicago Cubs. Wood provides advice for every youthful go-getter. Sharing his own highs and lows, both on and off the baseball field, he also stresses the importance of family and friends, the positive power of laughter and why it is so important to always do the right thing.
On Friday, May 30, Wood will invite the 30 illustrators to join him on the field for a meet-and-greet and photos following batting practice. Students will receive a tour of Wrigley and tickets to enjoy the afternoon Cubs game against the San Diego Padres.
Wood will be signing All You Can Be: Learning & Growing Through Sports books at the following locations and times:
• Tuesday, May 29, from 7:30-9:00 p.m. at Barnes & Noble (55 Old Orchard Center) at Old Orchard
• Wednesday, May 30, postgame at The Cubs Store (Clark & Addison) across from Wrigley Field
Pre-order here.
All You Can Be: Learning & Growing Through Sports is published by Triumph Books, June 2012 Hardbound / $16.95 / 48 pages / ISBN 978-1-60078-689-1 / 10 ¾ x 10 ¾
