Kristi Yamaguchi, the 1992 Olympics ladies’ singles ice skating champ, graced the basement of Wellesley Books Friday to promote her picture book, It’s a Big World, Little Pig. The story, written by Yamaguchi and illustrated by Tim Bowers, follows a young figure-skating pig eager for new adventures, who travels to Paris where she makes friends and competes in the World Games.

No slouch herself at trying new things, Yamaguchi was the celebrity champion in the 6th season of Dancing With the Stars in 2008, was a commentator on figure skating for the Winter 2006 Olympics, is active in her philanthropy, the Always Dream Foundation, and is a mom of two daughters.

Ice princesses do not show up frumpy for their fans. They wear sparkly black sweaters, greet their public warmly, read from their books with animation, and sign skates and books afterwards.

A portion of the proceeds from her book sales will benefit early childhood literacy programs supported by the Always Dream Foundation.