In Larry Bird: The Boy From French Lick (Blue Marlin Publications, 2009), a different story is told about Bird. This is the story of his childhood, written by Francine Poppo Rich and illustrated by Robert Casilla. The story tells about Larry’s childhood in French Lick, Indiana. He has four brothers and one sister. Both of his parents work, his father as a furniture finisher and his mother as a cook or waitress. They did not own a car.
While Larry was growing up in the 1970s, French Lick did not have a McDonald’s, a movie theater, a nightclub, or a mall. There wasn’t much to do except play sports. Larry began to really play basketball when he was in the ninth grade. He usually spent each morning before school shooting 500 free throws in the gym. He practiced with the team after school and stayed late to shoot more.
Rich has written a wonderful story of the childhood of a sports icon. She focuses on his early years which have a profound effect on his work ethic as a college player and when he becomes a NBA player. Rich has written four previous picture books.
Casilla has painted Bird and his family and French Lick as they truly were. He has captured the Bird brothers competing with each other and how much Larry idolized his older brother Mark. Casilla has illustrated many children’s books for many of the top publishing companies.
To request a galley copy of this book, contact Blue Marlin Publications at info@bluemarlinpubs.com.
Galley Review by Reeden Wright
#1 by Beth on November 16, 2009 - 1:25 pm
I know a lot about Larry Bird, but nothing about his childhood. Can’t wait to read it!
#2 by Claire on November 17, 2009 - 8:46 pm
My kids are huge basketball fans. It will be great to have this children’s book about Larry Bird. They can read it themselves as often as they want, and it will stress the benefits of hard work!