Althea Gibson

A spirited picture book biography about Althea Gibson, the first black Wimbledon, French, and U.S. Open tennis champion, from debut author Megan Reid and Coretta Scott King Honor-winning illustrator Laura Freeman. Althea Gibson: The Story of Tennis' Fleet-of-Foot Girl chronicles this trailblazing athlete's journey--and the talent, force of spirit, and energy that made it possible for her to break barriers and ascend to the top of the tennis world.

Althea Gibson was the quickest, tallest, most fearless athlete in 1940s Harlem. She couldn't sit still! When she put her mind to it, the fleet-of-foot girl reigned supreme at every sport--stickball with the boys, basketball with the girls, paddle tennis with anyone who would hit with her.

But being the quickest, tallest, most fearless player in Harlem wasn't enough for Althea. She knew she could be a tennis champion.

Because of segregation, black people weren't allowed to compete against white people in sports. Althea didn't care. She just wanted to play tennis against the best athletes in the world. And with skill and determination, she did just that, eventually becoming the first black person--man or woman--to win a trophy at Wimbledon.

Share this nonfiction picture book biography with young readers interested in sports, American history, and African American pioneers. A strong choice for the classroom and for homeschooling.

Megan Reid works in books and television. She's lived in seven states and two countries, but now she's happy to be based in New York with her dog, Luna. Meg is also the author of Althea Gibson: The Story of Tennis' Fleet-of-Foot Girl. You can visit her online at www.meganreid.co.

Laura Freeman received her BFA from the School of Visual Arts in New York City and began her career illustrating for various editorial clients. Laura has illustrated many fine children's books over the years, including Fancy Party Gowns: The Story of Fashion Designer Ann Cole Lowe, written by Deborah Blumenthal, and the Coretta Scott King Honor Book Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race, by Margot Lee Shetterly. Laura now lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband and their two children. Find out more about Laura at www.lfreemanart.com.

• Publisher: ‎Balzer + Bray; Illustrated edition (January 21, 2020)
• Language: ‎English
• Hardcover: ‎40 pages
• ISBN-10: ‎0062851098
• ISBN-13: ‎9780062851093
• Reading age: ‎4 - 8 years
• Grade level: ‎Preschool - 3
• Item Weight: ‎12.9 ounces
• Dimensions: ‎8.8 x 0.3 x 11.2 inches