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Topic: Arts and Sports

Non-fiction

Find out all about Paralympic sports for individuals and the people who participate in them in this exciting photo-illustrated book.

Events covered include cycling, archery and triathlon competitions for both male and female athletes with disabilities. Information about the rules of the events and how they differ from their Olympic counterparts is also provided.

Along with accessible text and vibrant sports photography, this volume also includes a Q&A feature that will help to engage young readers.

Long before he became a professional All-Star basketball player, Michael Jordan had dreams of winning an Olympic gold medal–and with dedication and perseverance, that’s exactly what he did. This heartwarming picture book, written by Michael’s mother and illustrated by Barry Root, gives a rare glimpse into a sports hero’s childhood and emphasizes the role that good values play in success. An ideal companion to the New York Times bestselling Salt in His Shoes, this is an inspirational story for sports fans, go-getters, and anyone with big dreams!

Picturebook

“It was time for the first race to begin. The crowed gasped as the Corinthian girl exploded from the starting point!”

The Corinthian girl has no name…abandoned as a baby, she is now a slave in Athens. But her Master is a famous Olympic champion. He spots the amazing athletic talent of the Corinthian girl, and realises she could be a star at the Games in Olympia. From dawn till dusk she trains – running, jumping, throwing the javelin and the discus. One year later she is at the great Olympic stadium for the race of her life.

Can the Corinthian girl win the crown and find a name and a home at last?

Based on the real-life ancient Heraean Games for women and girls, held at Olympia, this is a thrilling story of athletic achievement against all the odds.

Chapter book

From Olympic gold medal winner Mo Farah and bestselling author of Oi Frog!, Kes Gray, comes a fun fiction series which will get kids reading, and running too!

After returning home from a long cross-country run, it’s time for Mo and his friends to decide where to go on their next running adventure. Sandwiches at the ready, the friends head somewhere beautiful, with glistening snow and sparkling lakes … The Rocky Mountains!

But crossing states is tiring work, and with lots of new creatures (and monsters!) to meet along the way, will Mo and friends ever get time for a sandwich break?

Here comes Bigfoot … RUN!

Follow Mo on his madcap adventures as his running skills go from strength to strength.

The perfect book to share and read aloud.

Chapter book

The first in a fantastically fun, magical cycling adventure series from Sir Chris Hoy.

Fergus Hamilton is a boy with a big imagination. Living with his mum and grandad and his dog, Chimp, he dreams of a state-of-the-art Sullivan Swift and becoming the most brilliant boy cyclist in the world. So when he gets a rusty second-hand bike for his ninth birthday he can’t help feeling a bit disappointed. But then he discovers something amazing when he takes it for a ride. . .

Written with award-winning author Joanna Nadin, with fantastic illustrations from Clare Elsom.

Chapter book

Boys United: the first book in the Football Academy series by Tom Palmer

Jake loves football and dreams of becoming a professional footballer. He’s worried about his height though – what if he’s too small for football? But on the day of his trial Jake is quick on the ball and scores – he’s made it! Jake can’t wait to pull on his shirt and join the team. But someone at the club wants to make his life difficult. Can Jake face up to the bullies and become man of the match again?

Stay on the ball this season with the first four stories following the boys in United’s under-twelves.

Chapter book

SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2021 CHILDREN’S TELEGRAPH SPORTS BOOK AWARD!

This season, get ready for a striking reimagining of William Shakespeare’s classic tale, Macbeth. 12-year-old striker Macbeth has a promising talent on the field. He also has a burning desire to become captain of Shotfield football team, and he is prepared to do whatever it takes.

Macbeth’s hard-hearted mother also pushes him to succeed – getting ahead to get spotted by academy scouts, even if it means dirty tricks.

So when the whistle blows for the big game, fair is foul and fouls are definitely fair!

A back-of-the-net retelling of Shakespeare’s classic play from bestselling author Michael Rosen and beloved illustrator Tony Ross.

Chapter book

The first book to kick off the Jamie Johnson football series – as seen on CBBC! An epic tale of dreaming big and chasing glory.

Jamie’s desperate to become Highwood School’s star football player (and in his dreams, Hawkstone United’s, too).

But after he wrecks his chances at the trials, the pressure’s on to prove himself.

Perfect books for every young football/soccer fan

Author Dan Freedman has been a writer for the FA, the Premier League and attended two World Cups with the England team.

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.

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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