Have you ever met an ice-skating pig?
I hadn’t either, until I stumbled upon Kristi Yamaguchi’s new picture book, “It’s a Big World Little Pig,” the other day.
I haven’t ever met an Olympic figure skater, or “Dancing With the Stars” champion, either, but next Saturday, April 21, I can also cross both those items off my bucket list, when Yamaguchi comes to town for a book signing.
Kristi will be appearing at “America’s Family Pet Expo,” taking place at the OC Fair and Event Center. She will visit from 1:30-3 p.m., and will share stories from her accomplished career as well as introduce her new book. Afterwards, she will be available to sign books and take pictures.
Readers first met Poppy the figure-skating pig in Yamaguchi’s first children’s book, “Dream Big Little Pig!” – the story of a little pig with big dreams who is encouraged to never give up. She discovers ice skating, and refuses to even take notice of those around her who think pigs can’t skate.
She discovers that she can do anything she wants, so long as she enjoys what she does and never gives up.
In “It’s a Big World Little Pig,” the tale continues as Poppy has the chance to compete in the World Games ice skating championship in Paris. Although anxious about meeting new people and traveling to a new place, Poppy again rises to the challenge, and discovers that although the animals she meets look and act different, they are all the same inside.
Yamaguchi was inspired to write both books because she wanted to teach kids about her personal motto, “Always Dream.” She believes, and has proved, that dreams can come true with hard work and dedication.
In fact, few embody this notion more than Yamaguchi, who is an Olympic champion, two-time World Champion, US Champion, and “Dancing With the Stars” champion. She has been inducted into both the US Figure Skating Hall of Fame and the US Olympic Committee Hall of Fame.
However, her most impactful accomplishment perhaps, was the creation of the Always Dream Foundation. Following her Olympic victory in 1992, Kristi realized that the fact that she had been able to achieve her goals was due, in large part, to her supportive family.
She wanted to create an organization that would, in turn, support and encourage other children to also meet their potential and follow their dreams.
She has said, “All the athletic glory and honors are wonderful but sometimes I come face to face with a disadvantaged child or with a struggling mother or father and I am grateful for my gifts. And I rededicate myself to doing whatever I can to help someone in need.
“The good feeling I get from contributing rivals anything I felt on the Olympic stand.”
Yamaguchi continues to be involved in her community, and through her foundation has provided computers for an after-school mentoring program, taken underprivileged children back-to-school shopping, and sent children with disabilities to summer camp.
She has proved to be a champion in more than just the athletic sense. In fact, a portion of the proceeds from both books is donated back to the foundation, in order to enable it, and Kristi, to keep inspiring children everywhere to dream big, just like Poppy the pig, then help provide them with the means to make their dreams a reality.
