Serena: The Littlest Sister

Gray diverges from other picture book biographies of Venus and Serena Williams by focusing more fully on the youngest sister and by introducing the three other Williams sisters: Lyndrea, Isha, and Yetunde. The story opens with Serena accepting her trophy at the 1999 U.S. Open final at Arthur Ashe Stadium. “Thirteen years earlier,” the Williams children are seen pushing a shopping cart filled with tennis balls to practice at the public courts. And outside the family sport, the “girls dreamed of what they could become: Tunde, a nurse... Isha, a lawyer... Lyn, a singer.” When Venus’s career takes off, Serena receives assurance from her sister Tunde (“You’ll have your day. And it’s gonna be even bigger”). Ahanonu’s cut-paper-like compositions place exaggerated emphasis on the sisters’ bright clothes, creating a pop-art aesthetic. The conclusion brings the book full circle, as Serena again appears with her trophy, thanking “all my sisters for all the support.” Ages 8–11. (May)