LeBron James is making his return to the world of children’s literature, CNN reports.
HarperCollins will publish the Los Angeles Lakers forward’s I Am More Than, illustrated by Niña Mata, next year. The book will be a follow-up to James and Mata’s I Promise, published in 2020, which a Kirkus critic praised as “sincere and wholehearted.”
The new book, HarperCollins says, “motivates readers to remember they can accomplish their goals when they believe in themselves! Written in fun rhyming verse and illustrated by award-winning and bestselling artist Niña Mata, this book will help little dreamers dream BIG.”
James is also the author of another book for young readers, We Are Family, co-written with Andrea Williams, and a memoir, Shooting Stars, co-written with Buzz Bissinger.
James shared the news on Instagram, writing, “Our next book is about believing in yourself and all the amazing things you’re capable of, which NO ONE else can define for YOU. I hope ya'll feel inspired to be #MoreThan in this next one.”
Mata also weighed in on the social media platform in a post that reads in part, “The inspiration behind the illustrations of ‘I Am More Than’ is a reflection of the response from parents, teachers, and librarians from ‘I Promise’. The emails, and snail mails I’d get [with] people showing how they have incorporated the affirmations in their lesson plans and the creativity that came out of it…is out of this world!”
I Am More Than is scheduled for publication on April 2, 2024.
Michael Schaub is a contributing writer.
