Phil Knight Founder of Nike: Book Review and Classroom Ideas

Author: Jan J.

Illustrator:

Genre: Children’s Biography/Memoir

Recommended Ages:

Summary:

This fun and inspiring biography introduces kids to Phil Knight, the founder of Nike. It traces how a young runner with big dreams turned his love of sports into a global company known for its swoosh logo and famous sneakers. Through colorful illustrations and simple storytelling, children learn about creativity, perseverance, and innovation — and how ideas can grow into something world-changing.

Perfect for classroom discussions about entrepreneurship, goal setting, and determination, this book shows young readers that every great success starts with a single idea and a willingness to keep trying.

My Thoughts:

Phil Knight: Founder of Nike is an inspiring, easy-to-read biography that helps children see how big dreams can start from small ideas. Phil’s story reminds readers that success takes imagination, hard work, and the courage to keep going even when things don’t work out right away. I love how this book breaks down the journey of an entrepreneur into simple, relatable steps — showing kids that creativity and perseverance go hand in hand.

This title is part of the Founders for Kids series, which makes it especially useful for classrooms. Each book introduces a different innovator or creator, from business founders to inventors, giving students a variety of real-life role models to learn from. When used together, these books can form a mini research or presentation unit, where students choose one founder to study and share what makes that person inspiring.

Books like this encourage curiosity and show children that learning doesn’t stop in the classroom — it’s something they can carry with them into their own dreams. Phil Knight: Founder of Nike reminds readers that the most powerful ideas can come from anyone, anywhere, and that with vision and determination, those ideas can change the world. 👟

Classroom Integration:

Project Overview

Use the Founders for Kids series to inspire students to explore real people who turned ideas into success stories. Each student (or small group) chooses one founder — like Phil Knight, Walt Disney, Steve Jobs, or Oprah Winfrey — and learns about their life, challenges, and big accomplishments.

The project ends with a “Founders Fair” or Living Museum, where students share what they’ve learned through creative presentations.

1. Introduce the Series

Begin by reading Phil Knight: Founder of Nike aloud or in small groups and discuss:

• What did Phil dream of creating?

• What problems did he face?

• How did he keep trying even when things were tough?

• Then introduce other Founders for Kids books and let students choose their favorite person to research.

  
  

2. Research & Note-Taking

Provide each student with a Founder Fact Sheet (or notebook page) with prompts like:

• Founder’s Name

• What They Created or Built

• One Challenge They Faced

• What Makes Them Inspiring

• One Fun Fact

• Encourage them to draw or find pictures to support their notes.

3. Create a Mini Presentation

Students can choose how to present their founder:

🎭 Dress up as the person and “speak” as them

🎨 Make a poster, trifold board, or digital slide

🎤 Record a short video interview or podcast

🧠 Write a short paragraph beginning with “What I learned from…”

This gives every learner a chance to shine — whether through art, writing, or speaking.

4. Host the “Founders Fair”

Set up stations around the classroom or library.

Invite students, families, or other classes to walk through and meet the “founders.”

Encourage students to share interesting facts, creative displays, and personal reflections on why their founder inspired them.

5. Reflection and Connection

After the presentations, gather the class and discuss:

• What did we notice about all these founders?

• What do they have in common?

• How can we use their lessons — like hard work, creativity, and never giving up — in our own lives?

• Write a collective class motto, such as: “We are dreamers, creators, and founders of the future!”

  
  

Teacher Tip:

Pair this project with lessons on growth mindset, goal setting, and perseverance. Students will not only learn about historical and modern innovators — they’ll begin to see themselves as future founders, too. 🌟

Librarian Reflection:

This book is part of the Founders for Kids series, which is a wonderful collection for school libraries because it helps students see that innovation comes in many forms — from inventors and designers to artists and entrepreneurs. Each story connects real-world achievement with the traits we try to nurture in our students every day: creativity, persistence, and confidence.

I especially appreciate how this series invites young readers to see themselves in new ways. A student who loves to draw sneakers, build LEGO sets, or sell bracelets at recess might suddenly realize they already have the same spark as a “founder.” It gives permission to dream big and reminds every child that ideas matter — even the small ones.

In a library setting, these books work beautifully for biography units, makerspace inspiration, or research projects. They bridge nonfiction and creativity, encouraging students to explore not just what people achieved, but how they got there. Books like Phil Knight: Founder of Nike show that reading about others’ stories can help students begin to write their own.

*Phil Knight Founder of Nike: Book Review and Classroom Ideas