High Fives from The Community
CHERYL REEVE
HEAD COACH & GM, MINNESOTA LYNX & TEAM USA Basketball
“We need more of this and we need to buy Shelly Bean the Sports Queen books and have them in our book stores, in our libraries…we need these everywhere!”
Nicole M. LaVoi. Ph.D
Director, The Tucker Center for research on girls & women in sport
“Shelly Bean the Sports Queen is an important addition to the children's literature. Boys and girls need to see active, confident, sporty female role models as central characters, and Shelly Bean provides just that!
I am a BIG fan of Shelly Bean! This is a must have series for any family and would have loved this as a young girl! Go Shelly Bean!”
Cheryl Greene
Director, Welcoming Schools, Human Rights Campaign Foundation
“I work with elementary educators across the country and what is sorely needed are books that show kids a mirror to see themselves reflected. Shelly Bean the Sports Queen does just that. The diversity of the characters and a strong athletic female lead, coupled with excellent story telling makes this series really one of a kind.”
Karen M. Sutton, M.D.
Sports Medicine Surgeon, Hospital for Special Surgery
“Shelly Bean books have been a huge bedtime story blockbuster hit with my three sons and daughter. As a former athlete and current orthopedic surgeon, I am a firm believer that challenges in sports leads to drive and success later in life!”
Kadie Rolfzen
University of Nebraska, All-American, USa Volleyball
“I would have LOVED to have a book like Shelly Bean the Sports Queen in elementary school to show people that is was a positive to have a girl play sports. Shelly Bean inspires young kids to keep pushing in the pursuit of their goals and dreams.”
Pam Borton
Former University of Minnesota Womens Basketball Coach
Borton Partners, President & CEO
“We all have had strong female role models in our lives. Our future generations are counting on Shelly Bean the Sports Queen to lead the way for our next generation of leaders. I grew up reading children's books, but not any who looked like me. A strong, powerful, tough and driven young girl, I would have loved Shelly Bean in my life. She creates a diverse character, as more adults pick up the books aimed at young readers.”
more Support from our friends
SHELLY BEAN THE SPORTS QUEEN
For ages 4-9
Shelly Bean is a sporty, dirty kneed little girl with a “can-do” spirit. It might take falling down, getting hurt and getting back up but Shelly Bean is determined to learn new sports!
After watching an event on TV or seeing other kids in the neighborhood play, she gets it in her mind that it is her time to play and to reward herself each time she tries, she creates a new sports charm to put on her crown like a jewel of accomplishment. Notice the #09 on her jersey? That’s in honor of Title IX and all those who helped create more opportunities for kids like her to play! Shelly Bean the Sports Queen is a role model for all children. She demonstrates hard work and perseverance.
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read to the final four
With over 6,300 3rd grade children in Minnesota participating in 2022, Shelly hELPED invigorate a new love of reading through this fantastic event!
Get to Know the Author
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Get to Know the Author
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SHELLY BREEN
Author and Creator
A children’s book author and entrepreneur, Shelly Breen is no stranger to perseverance. She is a staunch advocate for equity in sports, a trauma survivor and on a mission to help all children feel seen. Born and raised in northern MN, Shelly grew up with aspirations of playing professional sports. She spent countless hours on the basketball court, neighborhood hockey rinks and local golf courses. With a B.A. in Physical Education and an M.S. in Leadership, she started out teaching and coached college and high school basketball and tennis. She then worked with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx organization and later moved into a sales consulting role for the WNBA including the 10th Anniversary WNBA All-Star Game at Madison Square Garden.
Before writing the Shelly Bean the Sports Queen series, she founded the Let Me Play grants supporting Minnesota girls’ participation in sports and fitness. “Sports helped pave my path in life, building my character as well as my leadership skills along the way. No young lady should be prevented from experiencing these things because of her family’s financial situation. It is my dream to eliminate cost as an obstacle and give girls and boys a strong, athletic, female role model. With Shelly Bean books and Let Me Play grants, we can do just that! It is an honor to work for girls in sports; and to continue the work that many have done long before me.”
Illustrations by Marieka Heinlen
“Having Shelly the author visit our school was a great experience for both girls and boys! Shelly is able to connect with kids and deliver a powerful message that is important for all kids to hear.”