Bibi's Got Game by Bianca Andreescu with Mary Beth Leatherdale, illustrated by Chelsea O'Byrne

In the first picture book written by and based on real-life tennis star Bianca Andreescu, a young athlete learns how to work through life's toughest moments through inner strength and meditation.

From the moment she wakes up, Bibi is very busy. Even before school begins, there are cartwheels to do, world records to break (38 minutes balancing a spoon on your nose), and her dog, Coco, to snuggle. Bibi's mother suggests she try a sport, but nothing feels right. Until she tries tennis. On the court, she feels strong and powerful. Her serve is like lightning, her backhand booms like thunder and her forehand is as fierce as a hurricane.

But one day, everything changes when she is injured on the playground. Bibi is heartbroken, sad, frustrated and angry she decides to quit tennis! But her mother, with a little help from Coco, shows her how to meditate and dispel the self-doubt and negativity. Bibi learns to focus on all the things that make her grateful and happy. And when her body is ready to go back to tennis, so is her mind. "Now every morning, I picture myself strong and powerful on the court. Just me and the fuzzy ball." (FromTundra Books)

• Tennis star Bianca Andreescu publishing picture book about sports, mental health and furry friends
• 12 Canadian books to give the sports fan this holiday season

Andreescu is a Canadian professional tennis player and author whois the highest-ranked Canadian in the history of the Women's Tennis Association.

Mary Beth Leatherdale is an author and storytellerbased in Toronto. She, along with co-writer Lisa Charleyboy, won theBest Young Adult Book at the 2018AILAYouth Literature Awards for their anthology#NotYourPrincess.

Chelsea O'Byrne is a Vancouver-based freelance illustrator and art instructor. She is also the illustrator ofHello, Crow!by Candace Savage andMarisa and the Mountainsby George M. Johnson.

Interviews withBianca Andreescu

Bianca Andreescu reflects on taking mental break, writing childrens book

2 years ago

Duration 7:27

As tennis player Bianca Andreescu prepares to make a comeback on the courts, she spoke to Andrew Chang about why she took a mental break from tennis and what motivated her to write a childrens book on well-being.

Bianca Andreescu answers questions from kids

2 years ago

Duration 4:01

Canadian tennis champ Bianca Andreescu answers questions and offers a few words of advice to young athletes from the Ontario Racquet Club in Mississauga.

The Sunday Magazine21:07Bianca Andreescu on rising to the top of the tennis world, and how she stays grounded

After rocketing up the Women's Tennis Association rankings in 2019, Canadian tennis phenom Bianca Andreescu has had a tough couple of years, between injuries, COVID-19 cancelling much of the 2020 season and personal struggles. Now, Andreescu is sharing some of her story about growing up as a child athlete. She tells Piya Chattopadhyay she hopes her new children's book, Bibi's Got Game, helps kids deal with setbacks, feeling like an outsider and wanting to quit. After taking some time off in 2022 to "re-set, recover and grow," Andreescu now feels her mental health is in the best shape possible to make her mark, once again, on the WTA tour.