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by Rollen T. Smith (Author), Malakai J. Smith (Author)
He believed in himself. Now it's time to believe in his goal.
Josiah is back in this joyful, heartfelt sequel to the beloved I AM Josiah - and this time, he's discovering that the biggest victories don't happen overnight.
When Josiah watches the neighborhood kids playing soccer in the golden afternoon sun, something lights up inside him. He wants in. But wanting something and working for it are two very different things - and Josiah is about to learn that the hard way (and the wonderful way!).
With his tail-wagging best friend Toby cheering him on and his gentle, wise turtle friend Shelly guiding him one lesson at a time, Josiah discovers that a "goal" is so much more than something you score. Through missed kicks, muddy tumbles, tough losses, and early-morning practices, Josiah learns what it really takes to grow: persistence, patience, preparation, teamwork, resilience, and confidence.
By the time the ball finally rolls his way in the biggest game of the season, Josiah isn't just ready to score - he's ready to lead. And he discovers something even bigger than the goal itself: that who you become while chasing a dream matters just as much as reaching it.
Josiah's BIG Goal is more than a story - it's a gentle, kid-sized roadmap for goal-setting, emotional resilience, and self-belief, written for children ages 4-10 and the grown-ups who read alongside them.
Perfect for:- Story time at home, in classrooms, or in counseling settings
- Parents and educators building social-emotional learning (SEL) skills
- Young athletes, dreamers, and anyone learning that practice makes progress
- Fans of I AM Josiah ready for the next chapter
- Gifting for birthdays, back-to-school, or "believe in yourself" moments
- How to set and work toward a personal goal
- That mistakes and losses are part of growing, not a reason to quit
- The difference between giving up and taking a break
- How teamwork and encouragement lift everyone up
- That confidence is built through effort - not born overnight
Keep your eyes on the goal, trust your training, and never give up - your goals are closer than you think!
