Helen Darling: Athlete and Author

Helen Darling is in the midst of her seventh season in the WNBA. She has played for Cleveland, Minnesota, Charlotte and is currently with San Antonio. Throughout her career she has averaged 4.5 ppg and 2.9 apg. Prior to the WNBA she attended Penn State University, where she received a degree in Kinesiology along with a certificate in teaching.

Her journey began in Columbus, Ohio. Darling's family was poor, but the future WNBA player never noticed because her family was rich in love.

"We'd ask, 'Mom, can we have pizza?' " Darling remembers. "My mom would respond, 'No, but we can make pizza.' We didn't get the good pizza from Pizza Hut or Dominos, but we had fun making pizza together and we even got to put our own touch on it."

Helen Darling's life changed drastically when she gave birth to triplets, JaJuan, Jalen and Neveah, in 2002.

"Once I had children, I had to think about their well being, their survival, their college funds, their education and it was not just about me anymore."

Inspired by her children and her involvement in literacy programs, Darling decided to write a seven-book series about the days of the week. Like the pizza she once made, she gave the books a piece of her own flair, writing about her triplets and even using their input in the process.

"My first book that is finished is called Hide N Seek Monday. Kids love Hide N Seek and it talks about how when I go to wake up my children, they are nowhere to be found, so the game of Hide N Seek begins. I look everywhere in the room and I find them in all different kinds of places."

In an attempt to encourage parents to read and teach their children, she invites readers to feel the fun and excitement her family experiences during a game of Hide N Seek.

"I want to show them (parents and children) that learning is fun."

Darling stresses a parent's role in a child's academic growth.

"Parents are the biggest teachers. We spend the most time with them. We raise them�It is important for parents to read to their children and just teach them, teach them, teach them."

Darling's motivation to write stemmed from her desire to begin her children's college fund and more importantly for her children to have a souvenir of the wonderful times they shared as a family.

"I wanted to give my kids something special... If you look at my book, I tried to make the characters look as closely to them as possible. I used my children's names in the book, so when they get older they will have something to say, 'WOW! This is me, this my mom, this is us playing Hide N Seek and this is us making pancakes.' "

Darling is an accomplished teacher, parent, athlete and woman. In her books she reveals how all can make the Dean's List in life, as her books demonstrate that loving to learn is achieved through spending time with the people you love.

Helen Darling's book will be available in August at www.amazon.com and can currently be pre-ordered at www.bordersstores.com.