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The Story of the Olympic Games

Non-fiction

Created in association with the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, The Story of the Olympic Games brings to life the glorious history of the Games of the Olympiad.

Chronologically structured and featuring up to 200 original photographs, the book charts the story of this famous global event, beginning in 776 BC in ancient Greece through to its revival in 1896 and the 27 subsequent games. The pages are packed with exclusive photographs of the action, athletes and artefacts that have defined each game, so young fans can become immersed in the world’s greatest sporting spectacle in the run-up to the 2020 Games in Tokyo.

Olympic Sport

Non-fiction

From the bestselling author of Why is Snot Green comes another hilarious, bonkers and brilliant science book – f ind out the answers to all the questions you’ve ever had about the Olympics and sport!

Are Olympic athletes born stronger and faster than the rest of us?

Why do tennis rackets have strings?

How do gymnasts balance on their hands?

Why do hurdlers do the splits when they jump?

From running a marathon, to beating your friends at basketball, to being the bendiest gymnast around, find out everything you’ve ever wanted to know about sports, and exactly what it is that makes athletes the best at what they do.

Divided into five easy-to-digest sections and packed with illustrations, Glenn Murphy’s Olympic Sport is an accessible introduction to the science of sport, perfect for any young athletes and scientists.

– Bigger, Better, Faster, Stronger
– In the Olympic Stadium
– Going the Distance
– He Shoots . . . He Scores!
– Balance, Flexibility and Control

Sports Heroes

Non-fiction

How do little kids become sporting superstars? Find out in this inspiring board book for little ones.

Everyone, from Usain Bolt to Simone Biles, was once a small child learning about the world. Read how a diverse array of sporty kids found what they loved to do, worked hard, and followed their passions all the way into adulthood.

With adorable illustrations of top sports stars as typical young kids, then as superstar adults, sporting greats will seem like friends to your little one, and kids will see that sporting greatness is achievable.

Meet Lionel Messi when he was a small child learning to play football, Usain Bolt before he became a super sprinter, Ellie Simmonds as she developed a love of water, and figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu when he joined his sister on the ice and became a figure skater.

Let your child turn the pages and see that, like their heroes, the experiences and passions they have now can lead to incredible achievements.

The Story of The Olympics

Non-fiction

A brilliant introduction to the history of The Olympics, from the traditional games of Ancient Greece, to their revival by Pierre de Coubertin and the pomp and ceremony of the modern Games. Internet links to carefully selected websites allow children to access the very best sites to support this book and enhance their learning experience. Specially written for children growing in reading confidence and ability. Part of the Usborne Reading Programme, developed with reading experts at the University of Roehampton.

Jesse Owens

Non-fiction

The youngest of ten children, Jesse grew up working in the cotton fields of Alabama. Discovered by his high school track and field coach, Jesse quickly rose to fame as an athlete. He went on the challenge racism on the world stage at the 1936 Berlin Olympics and made new world records. This moving book features stylish and quirky illustrations and extra facts at the back , including a biographical timeline with historical photos and a detailed profile of the athlete and activist’s life.

Little People, BIG DREAMS is a bestselling series of books and educational games that explore the lives of outstanding people , from designers and artists to scientists and activists. All of them achieved incredible things, yet each began life as a child with a dream.

Swimming and Diving

Non-fiction

Published to coincide with 2020 Summer Olympic Games, this captivating title provides young readers with a background on the history and rules of these aquatic events, including details about swimming races, diving and artistic swimming (formerly synchronised swimming). Full-colour photos feature winning athletes and capture the action of these thrilling events. This volume also includes a table of contents, a Q&A feature, glossary, recommended books and websites and an index.

Track and Field

Non-fiction

Published to coincide with 2020 Summer Olympic Games, this dynamic book puts a spotlight on its featured track and field competitions, including running, jumping and throwing events. Young readers will be delighted by the stories about Olympic heroes and will marvel at the full-colour action photography. This volume also includes a table of contents, a Q&A feature, glossary, recommended books and websites and an index.

Football School

Non-fiction

A groundbreaking new series from two bestselling writers that teaches you about the world through football. The first book is packed with awesome true stories, real science and fascinating facts and will make you laugh loads. When do footballers poo? Can you play football on Mars? What is a magic sponge? You will find the answers to these questions and more in chapters on subjects such as history, geography, biology and maths. Illustrated throughout with hilarious cartoons and filled with laugh-out-loud gags this is the perfect book for any boy or girl who loves football. Your coaches at Football School, Alex Bellos and Ben Lyttleton, are journalists, broadcasters and award-winning science and sports writers. Their knowledge, enthusiasm and engaging writing make them the perfect team to teach you how to score with your head.

World of Football

Non-fiction

An absorbing gift for avid football fans aged 7+ years, perfect for the next David Beckham. Kick off your footballing journey and see the world in a whole new light!

Discover fascinating facts and stats – from record-breaking goals to famous football mascots – and learn about the funny and extraordinary moments that make football such a beautiful game.

This unbelievable round-the-world adventure is a celebration of the beautiful game that will take you through all of the planet’s continents. And the illustrated maps feature key aspects, such as borders, capital cities and major rivers, combined with amazing football facts – perfect for engaging young readers and football fans.

The Big Book of Football

Non-fiction

Dive into the world of football with this mega book of everything to do with the beautiful game. Learn all the lingo; meet the greatest players, managers and teams from both the men’s and women’s games; take masterclasses with the pros; wander through the haircut hall of fame; learn the most iconic goal celebrations and more.

Written by the team at MUNDIAL, the celebrated football lifestyle magazine, and filled with fun, colourful illustrations, The Big Book of Football by Mundial covers it all:
The basics and the lingo that will have you talking like a football expert in no time.
History of football , including how we got from playing with a ball made of feathers to using high-tech footballs, the greatest teams of all time and the evolution of football boots.
The great players , including Paolo Maldini, Lev Yashin, Joy Fawcett, Franz Beckenbauer, Johan Cruyff, Michelle Akers, Sir Stanley Matthews and Marta Vieira da Silva.
Legendary managers and how they did it – learn the favourite killer formations of greats like Rinus Michels and Sir Alex Ferguson.
The big cups , with their histories and greatest players.
The world’s most amazing stadiums , including Wembley, Melbourne Cricket Ground and San Siro.
Kits hall of fame , from the USSR’s (now Russia) classic red sweatshirt with ‘CCCP’ written across the front to Mexico’s green home shirt with Aztec patterns and the giant face of the Aztec god of death.
How to take the perfect shot like Ji So-yun, take the perfect set piece like David Beckham, take penalties like Matt Le Tissier, beat the offside trap like Fernando Torres, do the perfect attacking header like Didier Drogba and more.
Weird and wonderful , from the way we describe things that happen in the game (a fox in the box) to the way we celebrate a goal (by pretending to be a robot) or do our hair (shaving it all off except for a triangle at the front).
The culture and people surrounding the game, from traditional pre-game food to the referee, commentator and all-important crowd.
This great big book is your essential guide to the wonderful world of football.

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