A lively and colorful story, with vibrant illustrations by Marjorie Priceman, that is certain to entertain while it teaches, Couric's The Blue Ribbon Day offers a positive spin on an important life lesson. Ellie and Carrie decide to try out for the school team in their favorite sport, soccer. But when only one of the girls is selected, the inseparable pair faces a challenge. What do you say when your best friend is terribly disappointed? Although some disappointments can't be avoided, Carrie learns (with help from her mother and old friend Lazlo) that while everyone may not be good at everything, everyone is good at something, especially if you have the courage to try.

For every reader who has ever set his or her heart on joining a sports team, getting a part in the school play, or winning a class election, and been let down, Katie Couric’s reassuring and inspiring story gives a charming lesson in confidence.

KATIE COURIC has been a coanchor of NBC News’s Today since 1991, and in that position she has covered a variety of national and international events and fascinating people. She is also a contributing anchor for the newsmagazine Dateline NBC. Couric has received a number of prestigious awards, including six Emmys and a George Foster Peabody Award for her series “Confronting Colon Cancer,” a subject for which she is a major spokesperson and advocate. A native of Arlington, Virginia, she lives in New York with her two daughters.

MARJORIE PRICEMAN is an award-winning author and illustrator of children’s books. Her work includes Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin, a Caldecott Honor book; Emeline at the Circus, a New York Times Best Illustrated Book; How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World, an ALA Notable Book and Reading Rainbow Featured Selection; Princess Picky; and My Nine Lives by Clio. She lives in Pennsylvania.