Olympic Athlete Writes Children's Book on Soccer and Being a Good Team Player

Boulder, CO, July 18, 2008 --(PR.com)-- Olympic athlete Erin Mirabella has written a new children's book which will publish this summer in conjunction with the Summer Olympic Games. Shawn Sheep the Soccer Star is the second title in the Barnsville Sports Squad series which introduces Olympic sports and teaches children good sportsmanship. Each book in the series includes a fitness fact kids can put into practice. Shawn Sheep the Soccer Star publishes in August. Olympic soccer kicks off August 7. September is National Youth Soccer Month.

Shawn Sheep is the best soccer player he knows - and that's part of the trouble. Shawn can dribble around oncoming defenders, shoot from the corner, pass, kick, and score goals better than anyone on his team, the Barnsville Sports Squad.

At least that's what he's been telling everyone. But when it comes time for one of the biggest games of the season, Shawn is so busy bragging that he irks his teammates and makes some big mistakes that could cost them the game. Shawn finds out he has a lot to learn about being a good team player. And when Shawn sees his soccer hero making the same mistakes, he knows what he has to do.

Children ages 5-8 will love this action-packed story, which emphasizes teamwork and fair play. Sarah Davis's vibrant illustrations bring all the characters to life as they run, flip, and cheer through the pages.

The Barnsville Sports Squad series introduces kids to Olympic sports and the concepts of fair play and good sportsmanship through situations that children can readily understand. Each title also includes fitness tips for kids to put into practice as they participate in their own favorite sports.

Erin Mirabella represented the United States in the 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games. In 2005, the U.S. Olympic Committee awarded Erin the prestigious Jack Kelly Fair Play Award, which is presented to an athlete, coach or official for an outstanding act of fair play or sportsmanship. She is the author of Gracie Goat's Big Bike Race (2007) and was a Home Depot Olympic athlete in track cycling. The Barnsville Sports Squad series is inspired by Erin's experience as an Olympic athlete, and highlights the fun, value and life-long lessons that sports offer. Erin lives near the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Sarah Davis is a full-time artist who has worked on a wide range of projects, including toy design, storyboards and concept art, advertising, and character design. She also provides the illustrations for another popular series, Childhood Heroes, which creates personalized children's books in association with some of Australia's biggest sports stars. She lives in Sydney, Australia.

Shawn Sheep the Soccer Star
Story by Erin Mirabella, Illustrations by Sarah Davis
Hardcover with jacket, full-color interior, 8.5" x 10", 32 pp., VP-SSSS, SRP$15.95, 978-1-934030-16-5
Published by VeloPress | www.velopress.com
VeloPress books are distributed to the book trade by PGW.

* Released to coincide with the 2008 Summer Olympics (August) and National Youth Soccer Month (September)
* Soccer is the most popular youth sport in America, with 3.6 million players
* Includes "All About Soccer," a brief tutorial for kids, and a Fitness Fact on healthy eating habits
* In 2006, the U.S. Olympic Committee presented the author with the prestigious Jack Kelly Fair Play award for sportsmanship

Author interviews, events, media copies:
Dave Trendler, Marketing and Publicity Manager
dtrendler@insideinc.com | (303) 245-2138

Distributors and retailers may order through:
Jen Soulé, Sales Manager
wholesale@insideinc.com | (800) 811-4210 x169

VeloPress is an endurance sports and fitness publisher focusing on the sports of cycling, triathlon, and running. VeloPress training books help both serious athletes and beginners build skills and fitness. VeloPress publishes historical and biographical books that take a closer look at celebrated icons of our sports. VeloPress also publishes titles in the fiction and children's book categories as well as winter sports. VeloPress authors are trusted experts in training, coaching, gear, maintenance, nutrition, and sports history. VeloPress is the book publishing division of Competitor Group, Inc., publisher of VeloNews, Triathlete, Inside Triathlon, and Competitor magazines; producer of Elite Racing marathons and half-marathons and the Muddy Buddy adventure series; and owner of VeloGear, an online and catalog retailer.

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