Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark is adding author to her résumé with the release of a new children’s picture book, EXTRAordinary! A Little EXTRA to Reach BIG Dreams. The book, published by Random House Books for Young Readers, arrives on Tuesday and is written in rhyming verse.
Family inspiration fuels the story
Clark says the idea sprang from a quote she sees daily on a mirror in her parents’ home: “The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is the little EXTRA.” She hopes the message will stay with her family for generations, saying, “It’s something that hopefully they’ll always have for me through life and I’ll maybe pass along to one of my kids one day.”
Growing up, Clark’s mother, an English major and avid reader, gave her books for Christmas Eve, a tradition that evolved from picture books to chapter books and now to motivational titles. “Books have always been a part of my life growing up,” Clark explained.
Values of teamwork and perseverance
The story emphasizes teamwork, perseverance, and the love of family, friends, and teammates. Clark relates the book’s themes to her own journey: “My career as a basketball player is about doing a little extra and believing in yourself a little extra. You’re going to need a little extra love, or courage.”
Clark, 24, is in the third year of her professional career and recently helped the Fever reach the playoffs, though they were eliminated in the first round by the Las Vegas Aces. Unlike the previous season, she entered the campaign healthy and focused on improving her game.
Beyond the court
Off the court, Clark’s foundation supports youth programs, and she has spent time at the Iowa Family Children’s Hospital. She also appeared in a commercial with Sesame Street’s Cookie Monster and expressed interest in joining the show for an episode.
Clark’s new book adds to a growing list of athletes who use their platforms to inspire young readers, reinforcing the importance of faith, family, and hard work.
Original reporting: KSAT Sports (San Antonio) — read the source article.
