“First, Birdie learned how to throw.”
Have fun with Birdie as she learns how to play the exciting game of baseball! See her practice and grow and play with others. Where will she go next?
“Seeing is believing!
Young girls deserve to have books that show characters like them succeeding in sports, law, business, science, public service, and other male-dominated professions. Empowering girls and championing their value at an early age is essential. It was with this in mind that I wrote Birdie Can, Too!, a board book series for all children ages 0-3 years. As a mother of two young girls, I know how important it is to instill in our daughters a strong sense of self-confidence, possibility and belonging. I believe laying that foundation starts early, before they can even read to themselves.”
–– Author, Malaika Underwood
About the Author
Malaika Underwood knows firsthand that anything is possible!
As a multi-sport athlete growing up in Southern California, Malaika became the first girl to play high school baseball in San Diego County and was awarded a full scholarship to play volleyball at UNC, where she earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. But baseball has always been Malaika’s passion; after her college volleyball career, she discovered the USA Baseball Women’s National Team. She is now the longest-tenured player on a USA Baseball National Team, male or female. Off the field, Malaika has built a successful career in the sports licensing industry. She is currently Senior Vice President of Licensing for OneTeam Partners. Malaika lives in Atlantic Beach, Florida with her husband, Chris, and their two daughters, Birdie and Kit.
About the Illustrator
Anika Orrock is an award-winning illustrator, writer, designer, cartoonist and the author of The Incredible Women of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (March 10, 2020; Chronicle Books). She has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The San Francisco Chronicle, on NPR and more.
A baseball fan herself, Anika is very proud to have worked with Malaika to bring the story of Birdie to life!
To learn more about Anika or to see more of her work, visit her website or follow her on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.
Photo courtesy of Veronica Alvarez
About the USA Baseball Women’s National Team
Established in 2004, the team represents the country in international baseball competitions including the WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup. Team USA are two-time world champions and also won the inaugural gold medal for women’s baseball at the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games. Learn more about the Women’s National Team here.
Buzz About Birdie Can, Too!
Malaika Underwood: Writing Her Own Story
Inspired by her daughters, ten-time Team USA alum Malaika Underwood wrote Birdie Can, Too! based on her own journey in baseball