Once Upon a You

Super Bowl champion and 3x Pro Bowler Keyshawn Johnson shows kids everywhere that they are the authors of their own destinies in his first book for kids.

“This book is a celebration of your unique story. Remember, YOU are the author of your life. Embrace your passions, trust yourself, and don't let anyone define your potential. Your possibilities are limitless.” ―Keyshawn Johnson

The story of you
began the day you were born.
With each passing year,
as you grow and change,
so does the story of you.

In every story,
there will always be ups and downs,
twists and turns,
excitement, and mystery.

But what will happen next
in the story of you?

Born and raised in South Los Angeles, Keyshawn Johnson faced numerous challenges and was often told what he could not achieve. Surrounded by adversity, he chose instead to listen to his inner voice and pursue his dreams. And in this new picture book, Keyshawn urges young children to do the same. So, gather your strengths, your talents, your ideas, because the next chapter starts now . . . and it’s going to be amazing.

Keyshawn Johnson, a Super Bowl champion and three-time NFL Pro Bowler, was a two-time All-American standout at USC before going on to win a Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a decorated eleven-year NFL career. After retiring from football, he transitioned to broadcasting, spending more than a decade as an analyst at ESPN and later serving as co-host of SPEAK, the daily studio show on FOX Sports 1. Keyshawn is the proud dad of Maia, Keyshawn Jr., London, Vance, and Shyla. He loves kids and being a dad.

Bettina Bush is a trusted voice in parenting, multiculturalism, and family entertainment. She began her career at age seven, voicing pop culture icons such as Rainbow Brite. After touring as a recording artist with two Billboard hits, she hosted national radio shows (Parenting Magazine Live!) and podcasts (The Motherhood Corner), and she served as editor-at-large for Working Mother magazine. She loves guesting on shows such as TODAY and Access Hollywood, running her production company, and connecting with her fans at Comicons, all while raising her two multicultural kids.

Ryan G. Van Cleave is the author of more than 100 books for children and adults, including fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. He earned a PhD in American literature and has taught writing for more than twenty years. As The Picture Book Doctor™, he helps creators bring kidlit projects to life on the page, stage, and screen. He believes good stories begin with curiosity. Root beer helps, too.

Mona Meslier Menuau is an illustrator based in the western part of France. She mainly works on children’s literature and educational works, and her artwork has been published all over the world. While carefully creating dream-like, joyful, and comforting universes, Mona also tries to change the view of old fairytales and folklore, adding inclusivity and empathy. Mona always puts sensibility and emotional security at the heart of her work. She has a peculiar talent for transpiring quiet emotions such as grief and sorrow, but also self-love and comfort, with color palettes that are appealing to children. In 2022, she was awarded an artistic commission for a French university hospital, in which she created a large-scale mural for the children's medicine and surgery department. She also works in visual communication, especially for cultural institutions, structures, and events such as for musicians, music festivals, and theaters. She lives with her son and her fiancé near the sea, where she draws inspiration from the smallest of seashells and the biggest of whales, using nature as her center of gravity and creativity.