Discover your next great read with our book reviews

Big Book of WHO Rising Stars (Sports Illustrated Kids Big Books) by Sports Illustrated Kids

by Sports Illustrated Kids

Book Details

Publisher:Sports Illustrated Books
Published:2025-08-19
Language:English
ISBN:1637275366

Reading Info

Age Range:3-7

About This Book

# **Big Book of WHO Rising Stars (Sports Illustrated Kids Big Books) – A Comprehensive Review** ## **🏀 Introduction: A Must-Have for Young Sports Fans** If you’ve got a young sports enthusiast...

Our Review

If you’ve got a young sports enthusiast at home who devours stats, loves rising stars, and dreams of the next big athlete, then Big Book of WHO Rising Stars by Sports Illustrated Kids is an absolute gem. This visually stunning, fact-packed book is more than just a collection of athlete profiles—it’s a celebration of the next generation of sports legends. Whether your kid is into basketball, football, soccer, or baseball, this book delivers thrilling insights into the players who are shaping the future of sports.

But is it worth adding to your collection? Let’s dive deep into what makes this book special—and who it’s best suited for.


Unlike a traditional novel, Big Book of WHO Rising Stars is structured as a dynamic, illustrated guide featuring up-and-coming athletes across multiple sports. Each section highlights young phenoms who are making waves in their respective leagues, from the NBA and NFL to MLB, soccer, and even Olympic hopefuls.

The book doesn’t follow a linear narrative but instead offers bite-sized, engaging profiles filled with career highlights, fun facts, and predictions about where these athletes might be headed. Think of it as a scouting report for the next decade of sports greatness, perfect for kids who love debating who the next MVP will be.


Since this is a non-fiction book, the "characters" are real-life athletes—each with their own compelling story. Some standout profiles include:

  • Ja Morant (NBA) – The electrifying point guard whose rise from small-school standout to NBA superstar is nothing short of inspiring.
  • Trevor Lawrence (NFL) – The golden-armed quarterback who went from college phenom to leading an NFL franchise.
  • Coco Gauff (Tennis) – The teenage sensation who’s already competing (and winning) against the best in the world.
  • Juan Soto (MLB) – The young slugger with a swing so smooth, he’s being compared to legends.

What makes these profiles special is how Sports Illustrated Kids balances stats with personality. Readers don’t just learn about their achievements—they get a sense of their work ethic, challenges they’ve overcome, and what makes them unique.


The writing is crisp, energetic, and tailored for young readers (ages 8-12). Each profile is concise yet packed with enough detail to keep sports-loving kids hooked. The book avoids dry, encyclopedia-style writing—instead, it feels like a conversation with a passionate sports commentator.

The layout is visually dynamic, with bold graphics, action shots, and sidebars featuring trivia ("Did You Know?" sections are a hit). The pacing is quick, making it easy for reluctant readers to jump in and out without feeling overwhelmed.


Beyond the stats and highlights, Big Book of WHO Rising Stars subtly reinforces themes of perseverance, hard work, and dreaming big. Many of these athletes weren’t overnight successes—they trained relentlessly, faced setbacks, and kept pushing forward.

For young readers, this isn’t just a book about sports—it’s a blueprint for chasing greatness. The message is clear: talent is important, but discipline and passion are what separate the good from the legendary.


As someone who grew up reading Sports Illustrated, flipping through this book brought back that same excitement. The nostalgia of discovering new athletes and imagining their future careers is alive and well here.

For kids, this book is pure fuel for their sports obsession. It sparks debates ("Who’s better: Zion or Luka?"), inspires backyard模仿 of their favorite players’ moves, and might even motivate them to work harder in their own sports.

Parents will appreciate the clean, educational content—no inappropriate language or mature themes, just pure sports enthusiasm.


Compared to other sports books for kids (like The Everything Kids’ Sports Book or Who HQ: Sports Legends), Big Book of WHO Rising Stars stands out for its:

✅ Focus on current, rising stars (not just retired legends)
✅ Stunning visuals and engaging layout
✅ Perfect balance of fun and factual depth

It’s less of a history lesson and more of a real-time scouting guide, making it feel fresh and relevant.


✔ Gorgeous, high-energy design – Every page pops with color and excitement.
✔ Broad sports coverage – Not just NBA/NFL; includes soccer, tennis, and more.
✔ Inspirational tone – Encourages kids to dream big and work hard.

❌ Some athletes may fade from relevance – Since it focuses on rising stars, a few might not pan out long-term.
❌ Could use more female athletes – While Coco Gauff and others are featured, a few more WNBA or NWSL stars would’ve been great.


This book is perfect for:

  • Kids aged 8-14 who love sports
  • Reluctant readers who prefer visuals and short profiles
  • Parents/coaches looking for motivational sports stories
  • Young athletes who need role models

It’s not ideal for:

  • Readers looking for in-depth biographies
  • Older teens who prefer advanced analytics

While not a quote-heavy book, some standout lines include:

"Ja Morant doesn’t just play above the rim—he rewrites the rules of gravity."

"Coco Gauff isn’t waiting her turn. She’s taking it."

These punchy, energetic descriptions bring the athletes to life.


This book arrives at a time when young athletes are more influential than ever. With social media, kids see stars like LeBron James and Megan Rapinoe not just as players but as activists, entrepreneurs, and role models. Big Book of WHO Rising Stars taps into that cultural shift, showing that today’s athletes are more than just stats—they’re leaders shaping the future.


Big Book of WHO Rising Stars is a home run (or touchdown, or three-pointer—pick your metaphor). It’s engaging, visually stunning, and packed with the kind of content that turns casual fans into lifelong sports lovers.

If you’re looking for a book that will ignite a young athlete’s passion, this is it.

🔗 Get the Book: Amazon


  • Who do you think is the most exciting rising star in sports today?
  • If you could add one athlete to this book, who would it be?
  • Do you prefer books about current stars or legendary players?

Drop your thoughts below! ⬇️

Get this book on Amazon

For more great reviews and book recommendations, visit Books By Order.

For more great reviews, visit Book Book Owl.

0