Start Something: You Can Make a Difference

by Tiger Woods Foundation and Earl Woods

Book Overview

The father of Tiger Woods offers advice to children and young adults on how to make a difference in themselves and the world around them by doing simple activities such as cleaning up a park, settling an argument, and helping another child.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0743210964
• ISBN13: 9780743210966
• Release Date: October 2000
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Length: 137 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.1" x 7.3"
• Age Range: 9 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 4 to 7

Customer Reviews

GREAT ADVICE

Parents and their children will love this great book where Earl Woods challenges young people to make a difference in their lives. As the father of champion golfer Eldrick "Tiger" Woods, Earl Woods shares his motivational philosophy of life for building character. He gives young people good solid advice in dealing with life's obstacles and coming out a winner. Earl Woods lays down those old fashioned values of honesty, courage, integrity, respect and others that are essential in living in today's world. Each section begins with a question or comment that Earl explains and later has Tiger share his own thoughts about the subject. Thus you have a beautiful combination of father and son encouraging young people to achieve excellence in their lives. It is moving to read Tiger's sharing of his relationship with his father. Get this book as a gift for that special young person in your life. Use it as a resource in motivating your students and raising your children to become responsible men and women. Our children are precious jewels. They will make a difference in this world.

A book to treasure

I read the book and am planning to buy three more copies, one for our church library and one for my two oldest grandchildren. Children who are looking for a hero can trust that this book will be an inspirtation to them. The principles used by the Woods family while raising Tiger Woods are extremely admirable for people of all ages. It is easy reading and gives positive ideas on how to live our lives.

"Be a winner . . . in your own life." -- Tiger Woods

Earl and Tiger Woods team up in this book to provide great advice for children on how to make the most of their lives. The book begins with an introduction by Tiger that talks about the importance of being a role model, and describes his Dad as his. From his Father, he learned to "share and care." He challenges young readers. "With your help, I believe that we can make a difference in the lives of others across the world. I challenge you to join me." The rest of the book contains advice by Earl for young people, the same advice that he gave Tiger. At the end of many sections, Tiger adds a quote that endorses and amplifies how he internalized these messages. Although explicitly aimed at youngsters, this book is equally valuable as role model information for parents, especially Fathers. The key message is that good habits make for a better life. The book has about 70 brief essays that detail these good habits. Space limitations here prevent listing them all, but I thought they were all well worth articulating. Here are 19 of my favorite sections:Follow your passion, not the pack.Did you help someone today?Unload your past mistakes.Shut down the jerk who teases you.You can pick your friends, but not your brothers and sisters.You are a leader.You have to start somewhere.Notice the kid everyone ignores.Respect your body.Take responsibility for yourself.Complaining is for cowards.Are you listening?Say hello.What are you proud of today?Keep promises.Say you're sorry.Say thank you.Ask others about themselves.Read newspapers. Tiger Woods fans will revel in some of the stories in the book. One of my favorites is about Tiger when he was five. Earl and Tiger were watching a news program, and a story came on about children starving during the famine and civil war in Ethiopia. Earl told Tiger that a friend of Earl's was going to Ethiopia to help. Without another word, Tiger went into his room and brought back some of his cherished gold coins he collected and asked his father to send them to help the children in Ethiopia. Any parent would be proud to have such a child, even if he couldn't play golf! Tiger's great golf ability is handled well in the book. Earl and Tiger make it clear that how well you hit the ball doesn't matter, it's what kind of person you are that counts. This message comes through loud and clear, and should help steer some young people away from the frivolous lives that many professional athletes live. You will be proud of the Woods family as you read this book. It will reaffirm your faith in humanity and in positive role models. It is a truly heartwarming book in every way. After you have shared this book with young people and begun to model your actions on Earl, think about how else you could be a good role model. What is your special gift that can inspire others to become a role model? Let me repeat Tiger's words here. "With your help, I believe we can make a difference in the lives of others across the world."Lo

My Kids LOVE This Book!

Now we know why Tiger Woods is such a winner--he believes that everyone can make a difference in the world, and this book shows how. Written by his dad (and clearly his best friend), this book has great ideas for kids/teens about how to get involved, make friends, be a team player, get along with parents, and be a bigger, better person. We especially liked the entries that addressed dealing with bullies and racism, and how to be a good winner and loser. Positive role models are so rare for kids, especially from the sports world. Tiger is a real treasure, and so is this book--it will be our #1 gift to give this year!