Catching Waves - (Brave Little Hearts) by Dawn Marie Hooks (Hardcover)

About the Book

This is the true story of how Raleigh Hager became the world's youngest professional wakesurf champion.

Book Synopsis

This is the true story about how Raleigh Hager, with determination and dreams of a mini pig, became the youngest professional world wakesurf champion.

From the moment little Raleigh Hager popped up on a surfboard at five years old, the waves held her heart. She couldn't imagine anything as exciting as becoming a surfer girl (except maybe having her own pet micro mini pig). Soon Raleigh realized that she lived too far from the ocean to surf those waves often enough. So, her dad took her to a nearby lake, where she learned to surf a different type of wave, the wake behind a boat. Before long, Raleigh discovered the thrill of wakesurfing and began competing, catching waves after every crash and disappointment, and proving that even a little girl can reach her dreams.

Raleigh's journey will inspire little readers to DREAM BIG, face challenges, and keep riding the waves of life.

Lively text and vibrant watercolor illustrations by Dawn Marie Hooks, a teacher and world wakesurf champion, capture the thrill of wakesurfing and tell the story about a young girl who found the strength to follow her dreams. Author notes at the end of the book include a glossary of wakesurf terms to help kids understand the sport and its terminology, more on Raleigh's inspirational journey, the author's experience researching and writing Raleigh's story, and highlights of Raleigh's early wakesurf competitions.

This engaging picture book biography will encourage the young dreamers (especially ages 5-9) and the young at heart to:

• understand the joy of wakesurfing and water sports
• discover and pursue their own passions
• realize the power of determination and resilience in achieving goals
• celebrate the historical accomplishment of a young child
• learn aspects of wakesurf competitions and the World Wake Surf Championship (considered to be "the Olympics of wakesurfing")

Part of the Brave Little Hearts Series, which honors the everyday courage of children as they face life's joys, questions, and challenges. Collect all the titles:

• I'll Hold You Forever: An Adoption Story
• Grandpa Can: A Story of Hope in the Midst of Illness
• Sarah and Her Twirling Toes
• Catching Waves: A Board, a Pig, and How a Little Girl Became a Wakesurf Champion