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Growing up, author Shelly Boyum Breen was always painfully aware that books for girls that showed that it was perfectly OK to be a “sporty girl” and excel in athletics were non-existent or very hard to come by. Determined to fix this issue as an adult, Shelly has created an exceptional series about a girl who loves sports and uses that love to discover valuable lessons like equality, empathy, and courage.
I personally love the fact that Shelly Bean owns the fact that not all girls are into dresses and tiaras. Shelly Bean stands up for what she believes and honors who she truly is.
To date, the Shelly Bean the Sports Queen has sold over 12,000 copies and has reached over 85,000 children with a message of perseverance through a cast of characters that more closely reflect the diversity of our world.
Shelly Bean is a sporty, dirty-knee little girl with a “can-do” spirit. It might take falling down, getting hurt, and getting back up but Shelly Bean is determined to learn new sports and be great. After watching an event on TV or seeing other kids in the neighborhood, she gets it in her mind that it is her time to play, and to reward herself each time she’s successful, she creates a new sports charm to put on her crown like a jewel of accomplishment.
Author Breen’s latest book is a tribute to the 50thAnniversary of Title IX and role model Billie Jean. Shelly Bean the Sports Queen Loves Tennis!
The Shelly Bean series has covered many timely and important topics, but now it’s time for Shelly Bean and her friends to meet a real sports legend! Not only does this wonderful picture book teach kids about the sport of tennis and all it has to offer – but they get to meet Billie Jean King!
Learn more about Shelly Bean the Sports Queen Loves Tennis and other Shelly Bean books HERE.
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Author Bio:
A native of Brainerd, MN, Shelly Boyum-Breen grew up with aspirations of playing professional sports. She spent countless hours on the basketball court, neighborhood hockey rinks and local golf courses. With a foundation of support from family, friends and the community, Shelly pursued a career as a physical education teacher and coach. Boyum-Breen received her B.A. from Augsburg College in Minneapolis, MN in 1997. She spent five years in the education field, coaching the Augsburg Women’s Basketball Team and Anoka High School’s basketball and tennis teams. Boyum-Breen then pursued a job with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx organization. Shelly served with the organization for three years and later moved into a sales consulting role serving the Lynx, the New York Liberty, and the 10th Anniversary WNBA All-Star Game at Madison Square Garden.
Boyum-Breen is the Founder and past-President of Foundation IX, a non-profit increasing the rate of girls’ participation in sports and fitness, who dissolved upon the merge with the Ann Bancroft Foundation. “Sports helped pave my path in life, building my character as well as my leadership skills along the way. No young lady should be prevented from experiencing these things because of her family’s financial situation. It is my dream to eliminate cost as an obstacle and give girls more than money- the opportunity for experiences of a lifetime. It is an honor to work for girls in sports, and to continue the work that many have done long before me in the name of girls and women in sports.”
Connect with Shelly via her website, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook,
