Sisters and Champions: The True Story of Venus and Serena Williams is a children's picture book written by Howard Bryant and illustrated by Floyd Cooper. It takes a look at how a father's dream to develop his daughters into tennis champions changed the world of sports.Venus Ebony Starr Williams is an American professional tennis player. A former world No. 1 in both singles and doubles, Williams is widely regarded as one of the all-time greats of women's tennis. Serena Jameka Williams is an Ameri...

Honestly, I'm surprised that no one has written a picture book biography about these two talented tennis players. But I'm glad to have this one, which focuses on the formative years of tennis superstars Venus and Serena Williams as well as their later athletic accomplishments. The author begins their story by describing how their father had big plans for his two girls, plans that often were ridiculed behind his back. But he gets the last laugh since those athletic girls worked and practiced hard...

Sisters and Champions by Howard Bryant is a biography that tells the story of Serena and Venus Williams and it can be used in a K-2 classroom. It includes how the two sisters grew up, the struggles they faced, and how they became the tennis champions they are today. One way to use this book in a K-2 class would be to use it as a read aloud book. During the read aloud there are many questions that you can ask students to keep them engaged and to connect it to their own lives. Questions like "how

"In ways big and small, people reminded them of being different every day." "But the sisters' mom and dad said differently. They said the sisters were made of special brown skin and wonderful eyes, of big smiles and bigger hearts and—when it came to tennis—a kind of magic. 'Just wait,' their dad would say. 'You'll see.'"

The family that shaped the two champion tennis sisters is the focus of this lovely picture book biography. I love how the focus is on their relationship with each other and how their loving parents gave them the confidence and tools to achieve greatness. The parental influence was support, not overbearing pressure; the sisters compete with love, not with the desire to dominate one another. Bryant is clear that Venus and Serena faced sexism and racism, and their family certainly had economic cha

Used for Final Growing up in Compton was sometimes scary for the Williams family, but Venus and Serena’s father, Richard, hoped that getting them involved in tennis from a young age would help his girls be treated fairer. Other people would tease them because they were black, poor, and lived in such a rough neighborhood, but they came from a tough family. When they were a little older, their family moved to Florida to give them a better chance at success in tennis, some people were nicer, some s...

Wonderful, biography of the Williams' sisters. Starts with how people laughed at their father for his big dreams for them, and continues through their impressive achievements. I wish there was some back matter. (Says Venus had a disease, but never names it.)

This is the story of Venus and Serena Williams, popular and incredible tennis players. Its a background of their life, and how their dad played such a major role in their success and how he was their biggest supporter and role model through out life. It was a really interesting and enjoyable kids take on a biography of the girls life. The writing style was perfect for children, really easy to understand. It teaches kids that you can reach your goals if you put in enough effort and try your best....

I liked it. Knowing very little about the Williams sisters, I definitely learned some interesting things about them--but as several reviewers have noted, the heart of this book is the family--the intense love, bonds, and determination they share. I thought this was an unexpected but wise approach to a story of two women who are nothing if not inspirational to many, especially young readers.Thanks to Penguin Young Readers for the review copy.

I'm amazed that no picture book biography of these two talented tennis players has been created. But I'm delighted I have this one, which concentrates on tennis superstars Venus and Serena Williams' childhood years as well as their later athletic achievements. The author begins by telling how their father had enormous hopes for his two daughters, plans that were frequently mocked behind his back. But he gets the last laugh since those athletic females put in a lot of effort and preparation to be...

Sister's and Champions are a beautiful and true story about sister's Venus and Serena Williams. The story starts with their early childhood and their father's passion for his daughters. As they grow up, they are mocked for being interested in tennis because of the color of their skin. That does not stop them from becoming the best tennis players in the world. I truly loved this book. I thought it was a perfect story for young kids with inspiring "characters." I also loved this book because it is...

Inspiring! Everything I want out of a picture book biography.

A motivating story about dreaming and making dreams come alive where they are thought to be impossible. A good introduction to the lives of Venus and Serena Williams and how they became champions. The author also introduces the readers to the spirit of sports, family and sisterhood as demonstrated by Serena, Venus and their parents. Floyd Cooper the illustrator makes Serena and Venus come alive to the reader.

This is a picture biography of the Williams Sisters who went on to become world champion, tennis players. The author explains their childhood and how their dad always knew they would become champions from an early age. The illustrations are soft and expressive throughout the book. Students could use this book for report information as well as reading for inspiration. Highly recommended for Grades 3-5.

I am not sure I needed another book on the William's sisters tennis skills, but the illustrator is Floyd Cooper, so I was sold! Howard Bryant has put together a beautiful story filled with love and warmth highlighting the dream their father had when he gave them both rackets and the dreams they achieved, even after medical issues plagued them. This is a very worthy picture book biography and I recommend it to any collection serving children. As expected, Floyd Cooper's illustrations are perfectl...

Gr. K-3. Serena and Venus Williams and their family endured racist taunts and a harsh urban background, but they never lost their love for the game of tennis… or for each other. Their humble beginnings only added to the sisters’ fierce drive toward stardom, and even physical hardships couldn’t destroy their will to win. With warm sepia paintings from award-winning illustrator Floyd Cooper, sports writer Howard Bryant brings life to their inspiring story, proving that “Family Is Forever.” A great...

I just now watched Serena and Venus play against each other in a US open match, and this book captured the value of family that Serena talked about in her post-match interview. The author doesn't shy away from talking about racist, sexist, and economic challenges that the family faced in pursuing their dreams. The book is not comprehensive, but it serves as a great introduction to their inspiring story. I thought Floyd Cooper's portraits were fantastic, and it is not an easy task to portray famo...

This book is so inspiring to all. It is about two of the greatest female tennis players that just so happen to be sisters. The author of this book gives us details of the sisters' journeys from barely being a tennis player to becoming the #1 ranked women in tennis. A lot of children get down on themselves or get put down by others for their differences, and this book is something that can be so inspiring to those children.I gave this book 5 stars because you're able to see the progress that Sere...

This is a wonderful, heart-warming story of two sisters who grew to be the top of the tennis world. It was so interesting to read about their father and his way of helping his daughters develop into top tennis players. I really wanted some back matter in this book! Photographs of their family, anecdotes about life growing up from Venus and Serena, if the family struggled financially to provide the training for the girls, etc. I think children will have a lot of the same questions!

If there had been any back matter or additional information this would have definitely been five stars. The illustrations surprised me by how soft and inviting they were... almost dated in the style, but not quite. The story is simple and charming: two sisters who competed against and with each other, a dad who believed in them beyond all reason, and a sense that with enough talent and determination one can indeed do anything. The Williams sisters are inspiring without doubt.