By sharing her personal story, Laila Ali encourages young readers to find the spark within.

On this episode of Fully Booked, undefeated World Champion boxer Laila Ali joins us to discuss A Spark of Greatness: The Autobiography of a Fighter, illustrated by Caldecott honoree Cozbi A. Cabrera (Crown, Sept. 8). “Boxing champion Ali describes how, growing up in the shadow of a legend, she at last stepped into the ring on her own terms,” Kirkus writes in an admiring review, calling this compelling picture-book memoir “a worthy contender." 

Ali is a five-time, undefeated boxing world champion, whose record includes 24 wins—21 of which were “knockouts.” She is a wellness advocate, TV host, chef, founder and CEO of the Laila Ali Lifestyle Brand, and a past president of the Women’s Sports Foundation. She lives in Georgia with her husband, former NFL star Curtis Conway, and their two children, Curtis Jr. and Sydney.

Here’s a bit more from our review of A Spark of Greatness: “Young Laila spends her childhood surrounded by fame and attention as the daughter of Muhammad Ali, yet her sprawling family home feels isolating... After her parents separate, she moves into a smaller home, and her loneliness and anger begin to simmer beneath the surface.…Group therapy makes her realize she wants to channel that fire into something more purposeful.…Through relentless training and determination, she forges her own identity in the ring, eventually earning her father’s respect and support before her first professional fight.…[A]n inspiring portrait of resilience and ambition.”

In a candid conversation, Ali enumerates the reasons why she chose to share her story with young readers: To help kids think more about who they are and who they want to become; to illuminate the many possible paths one might choose; and to highlight the importance of having discipline, when pursuing something worthwhile. We discuss whether she believes boxers are born or made, what she wanted to be when she grew up, and her close collaboration with illustrator Cabrera. We talk about her favorite image in the book, how the title changed, popular perceptions of celebrity picture books, and much more.

At the end of our interview, Ali recommends two books: one fiction, one nonfiction. Follow @kirkus_reviews on Instagram, DM us the title of one of those books, along with your email and location, and you’ll be entered in a drawing to receive a $100 Visa gift card, courtesy of Kirkus. The giveaway is open to legal residents of the U.S. who have reached 18 years of age or older at the time of entry.

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS:

Jack and Lulu Go to the Tree Farm by Julie Ryan McGue, illus. by Mariia Stepanova

Shallcross by Charles Porter

Emil by Patrick Matthews

Fully Booked is produced by Jessica Lockhart and Megan Labrise.