Vanessa Bryant; ‘Mamba & Mambacita Forever’ cover.Photo:Lakers; MCD
Lakers; MCD
Vanessa Bryantis honoring the memory of her late husbandKobe Bryantand their daughterGiannawith a powerful new book.
To celebrate the outpouring of public art displayed around the world after the basketball legend and his daughter tragically died in ahelicopter crashon Jan. 26, 2020, Vanessa is set to publishMamba & Mambacita Forever, a catalogue of over 100 murals and the stories that honor their lasting impact, PEOPLE can exclusively reveal. Vanessa served as the author and creative director on the project, with Andrew D. Bernstein providing photo direction.
After news of their passing shocked the world, fans across the globe grieved with the Bryant family through avariety of memorials: candlelit vigils, sculptures and public murals, recognizing Kobe and Gianna’s contributions to the world of basketball.Mamba & Mambacita Forever— which will be released on Aug. 19 to mark Kobe Bryant Day several days later — “brings together the images and stories” of the public art installations that honored the Byrants, per a press release shared with PEOPLE.
“Taken together, what emerges is the story of a man who became even more than he himself could have imagined, an avatar of determination, discipline and competitiveness. He was also a worldwide icon, one of the greatest athletes of our time, a man committed to his family and to fatherhood,” the release continues.
Vanessa Bryant.Lakers
Lakers
“Because there is no #24 without #2,” Vanessa wrote on Instagram at the time, referencing Kobe and Gianna’s basketball jersey numbers.
In addition to the memoir, Kobe also penned several YA novels, including the sports fantasy middle grade booksLegacy and the QueenandLegacy and the Double, the latter of which was released posthumously, in collaboration with former pro squash player-turned-novelist Annie Matthew.
MCD
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“I’m so proud we [Granity Studios] were able to haveLegacy and the Doublecome out,” Vanessa told PEOPLE at the time of its release. “These books filled with valuable lessons and stories were really important to my husband. He felt it was important to teach kids lessons about life and emotions through the art of storytelling.”
In the years since Kobe and Gianna’s death, the family has honored their passing with a series of memorials. In August, in collaboration with Kobe’s former team, the Lakers,Vanessa unveiled a bronze statuetitled “Girl Dad” outside of Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
“Happy birthday @kobebryant . I love you for now, forever & for always. ❤️,“shared Vanessa on Instagramlater that month, marking what would have been her late husband’s 46th birthday.
source: people.com