When it comes to children’s picture books they are always more than just an story – especially when they feature sport. They often focus on excitement, teamwork and the thrill of competition – but My First Lacrosse Stick, the debut picture book written by Finn Topping with Sam Lawrence, takes a more thoughtful and meaningful approach. Aimed at readers aged 4–8, this 32‑page story blends gentle storytelling with a message about confidence, belonging and discovering passion. It’s a thought-provoking and uplifting addition to the growing world of sports‑themed children’s books.
This story follows Finn, a young boy who feels disconnected from the world around him, drifting invisibly through life. One day, while aimlessly staring out of the classroom window, something catches his eye and holds it with fascination, he can’t wait for breaktime to see what it is. When break finally arrives, he rushes out to find an abandoned lacrosse stick. While it has been abandoned, and even has some slight damage, Finn is absolutely fascinated by it. From then on, everything changes – he starts to feel more worthwhile and the more he practices, the more his confidence and self-esteem builds.
My First Lacrosse Stick is a simple story, but a good one. While it may at first glance be a book about sport, it has so much more. It’s about finding something that you are passionate about, it doesn’t have to be sport, and how that passion can ignite confidence.
Overall, when looking for sport-themed books for children, most readers will probably stick to books they know or sports they play, which means a book about lacrosse might be overlooked. With My First Lacrosse Stick, you don’t need to know anything about lacrosse to appreciate and enjoy the story – the sport functions as a metaphor with the story being more about discovering something that makes you feel seen, feel valued and boosts your confidence. And for me, introducing a different sport to young readers is a bonus.
The storytelling is simple with easy to read text (and it helps that the author is a lacrosse player who has competed at high levels, so is passionate about what is being written). It starts with a child that feels alone and unnoticed but starts to blossom with a spark of curiosity and then into a life-changing passion and a new confidence. It shows in a simple way how sport can transform a child’s life and even help them to find a sense of worth.
As it is a children’s picture book, I must mention the illustrations. To accompany the text, each page has full-page illustrations by Tanya Zeinalova. These illustrations are expressive, child‑friendly artwork that perfectly capture the emotional tone and message of the story. The visual aspect helps young readers follow Finn’s journey from uncertainty to empowerment, giving a greater clarity to the story so that children can fully grasp what is happening.
For me, My First Lacrosse Stick is a really good story, not about the sport but about finding confidence, the courage to try new things and having passion in what you do. It also demonstrates that starting something new isn’t going to be easy, it takes works – Finn practices every day to build his skills in playing lacrosse.
This is a book that doesn’t focus too much on sport, action or competition but rather on the emotional benefits of finding something that you are passionate about doing. It’s a story that can inspire confidence in young readers, whether they’re athletes, artists or simply children still searching for their spark.
My First Lacrosse Stick is an inspiring picture book for children. A debut book with a story that has been told with heart. It superbly blends sport with passion and emotional growth in a way that feels genuine and uplifting. It has relatable messages at its heart and wonderfully expressive illustrations. With 32 pages it is a quick read and a meaningful addition to any child’s bookshelf.
Rating: 5/5
RRP: £9.99 (Paperback) / £2.97 (Kindle)
Available to buy from Amazon here.
