Australian cricket superstar Brett Lee is lending his sporting hero status to a personalised book which encourages children to read and gives them healthy lifestyle messages.
"It gives the kids an opportunity to learn how to read, to encourage kids to read, which is the most important thing,'' Lee said at today's launch of (Name) & Brett - Fitter, Faster, Stronger. Each book is personalised with the child's own details, including their name, eye and hair colour, and names of their friends.
It tells what happens to the child after he or she has a poor game of cricket and heads to a park for some much-needed bowling practice.
A chance encounter with the famous fast bowler takes them on an inspirational journey in which Lee imparts his values of healthy eating and healthy living, as well as a few tips on bowling.
Lee, 30, said the book also encouraged parents to remember that children just need to have fun when playing sport.
"It doesn't matter if you win, lose or draw, the most important thing is you go out there and give it your best," he told reporters at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
(Name) & Brett is the second book in the Childhood Heroes series, following footballer Tim Cahill's book released in June this year.
Lee's Australian team-mate Michael Clarke is set to release the third in the series early next year.
All proceeds from sales of the books will go to a breast cancer charity, The McGrath Foundation.
The foundation is headed by Australian bowling legend Glenn McGrath, whose wife Jane has suffered from breast cancer.
The book can be ordered online, with personalised details, at www.childhoodheroes.net.