Gold Mom’s Choice Award
Runner Up Southern California Book Festival
Winner Great Southwest Book Festival – Best Children’s Book
Winner Great Northwest Book Festival – Best Children’s Book
Runner Up Great Southeast Book Festival – Best Children’s Book
Runner Up Great Midwest Book Festival – Best Children’s Book
Runner Up Los Angeles Book Festival Best Children’s Book
London Book Festival Honorable Mention Best Children’s Book
Gabe loves to play soccer. He’s not the best player on the team, but he is the heart of the team. Read how the team comes together through adversity and triumph.
The Heart of a Leader is the first book in the Be the Weight: Little Lessons for Big Leaders series, which inspires children to grow into courageous, kind, and capable leaders. Based on the principles of Be the Weight Behind the Spear, each beautifully illustrated story explores a core trait—leadership, integrity, empathy, and service and helps children discover that true leadership begins with doing the right thing, even when it’s hard.
“Teach your children about standards and expectations. Teach them to look you straight in the eye and tell the truth.”
—Coach Krzyzewski, Former Duke University Basketball CoachPresentation at Duke University, Dec.15, 2016
Illustrator, Yakovetic has illustrated and art directed over 50 childrens’ books, plus book covers, paper dolls and coloring books. Recently releasing a “Stitch” color by number coloring book. Immediately out of college, NBC Studios hired him, creating art for “Dick Van Dyke & Co.” “The Tonight Show” “Diana Ross Special,” game shows and Courtroom Sketching for the News. An award-winning set and costume designer, Yakovetic has worked on film, stage, ice shows and theme parks including: Disney On Ice 2025, Disneyland, Walt Disney World and Universal Studios. For more information visit www.yakovetic.com.
Reviewed by Luwi Nyakansaila for Readers’ Favorite –
The Heart of a Leader is an inspiring children’s picture book written by Dr. Josh McConkey with illustrations by Yakovetic. It follows Gabe, a young boy who loves playing soccer and caring for his friends. Although he is not the tallest or fastest member of his school’s soccer team, Gabe is the heart of the team. He is an outstanding leader who ensures that every person feels welcome and supported. He greets any newcomer, motivates players, and if they lose the game, he is always ready to console them. If someone ridicules his team, he does not seek revenge but, on the contrary, consoles his team members. Furthermore, when his team wins, he shows respect to his competitors. Join Gabe and his friends to learn more about the qualities that make a true leader.
The Heart of a Leader is an amazing story that shows children the values of effective leadership through interesting characters and situations. All kids will like Gabe as he is very loving and empathic, and is also someone they can root for. His teammates and friends are characters that any child can easily identify with as they get excited, discouraged, and sometimes just need a helping hand. Their teamwork and ability to keep going even when they have been knocked down are what stood out about them. Dr. Josh McConkey’s narration brings everything to life. The language is clear and smooth, and makes reading easier for children. What really ties it all together are the illustrations with bright colors that attract attention and expressions that convey characters’ emotions excellently. Small details like Gabe cleaning up after a game are heartwarming. The book has interactive activities that can be performed both in the classroom and at home in a smaller setting. They demonstrate that good leadership entails uplifting people so that there is accomplishment through mutual efforts. I enjoyed reading this book. It is a good choice for anyone who wants to teach their kids about friendship and leadership.