Serena: The Littlest Sister

Summary of Book

Serena Williams is one of the biggest names in sports, but she grew up the littlest of five girls in her family. While sharing a room and playing tennis with her older sisters, Serena had to figure out how to be her own person―on and off the court. This empowering biography showcases the rise of the youngest Williams sister and how her family played a part in her path to becoming the strong woman and star athlete she is today.

Bold, colorful illustrations highlight the tight sisterhood and tennis action of Serena’s childhood and teenage years. This true story about a tennis icon will inspire littlest siblings everywhere to forge their own path and leave their mark.

Author Biography

Karlin Gray loves writing about strong female athletes. She holds a BA in Creative writing from Florida State University and has worked in publishing and copywriting. She is also the author of Nadia: The Girl Who Couldn’t Sit Still (HMH BYR, 2016) and An Extraordinary Ordinary Moth (Sleeping Bear Press, 2018). When the weather’s nice, she loves to play tennis in Westport, Connecticut, where she lives with her family.

Illustrator Biography

Monica Ahanonu is a freelance illustrator and motion designer whose work showcases black creatives in a variety of fields. A graduate of USC’s School of Cinematic Arts, she worked for DreamWorks Animation before deciding to pursue a career as an independent artist. She lives in Los Angeles, and this is her debut picture book.