About six months ago, Brad Herzog contacted me to talk about his new publishing company. I recognized this author immediately from books we own as a family that he has written and published with Sleeping Bear Press. Brad’s new mission with his company Why Not Books is to give attention to specific stories in history while at the same time producing quality products.

He nailed it with his first book by Why Not Books. Francis and Eddie took a historical event and made it a treasure in this new picture book, Francis and Eddie. I had never heard of the story of these two underdogs and I love that the book gives the story the attention it deserves. The illustrations are unique and seem to match the era that the story took place. As a former teacher, I can see this book being used in the classroom with several follow-up lessons. There are so many topics that can be addressed and highlighted after reading Francis and Eddie. As a parent myself, I will read this book to my children with the hope that it inspires them and fills them with hope that anything is possible.

Watch the book’s trailer here. It is excellent!!!!

The best part about this new publishing company? They are dedicated to producing books that make a difference and are partnering each of their books with a specific non-profit and donating 7% of proceeds from each book to that charity. Making Spirits Bright: One Book at A Time—we are on the same wave length Why Not Books!

About the Author

Brad Herzog is the author of more than 30 books for children and four titles for adults. These include three critically acclaimed travel memoirs about his journeys through small towns, which the “American Book Review” has described as “the new classics of American travel writing.” Among his series of children’s books for Sleeping Bear Press are 15 sports titles (including “P is for Putt”), as well as “S is for Save the Planet”, which was a finalist in the 2009 National Best Books awards. Brad has been honored several times by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, including a Grand Gold Medal for best magazine feature article of the year. He has been a guest on “The Today Show” and “Oprah” and has been profiled in publications ranging from “People” magazine to “Reader’s Digest”. He lives on California’s Monterey Peninsula with his wife and two sons. Please visit bradherzog.com.

Book Description

A century ago, in 1913, the world’s finest golfers gathered at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts, to compete in golf’s national championship, the U.S. Open. Joining them was a little-known amateur, 20-year-old Francis Ouimet, who lived across the street from the course and taught himself to play by sneaking onto the fairways with the only golf club he owned. His caddie? Ten-year-old Eddie Lowery, who stood only four feet tall. Together, against their idols and in front of a crowd that grew from a handful of spectators to a horde of thousands, they attempted to pull off the impossible. Along the way, they forged a lifelong friendship. In FRANCIS AND EDDIE award-winning author Brad Herzog and award-winning illustrator Zachary Pullen celebrate golf’s most inspiring underdog story. What Seabiscuit is to the “sport of kings” Francis and Eddie are to the “gentleman’s game.”