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Topic: Olympics & Paralympics

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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.

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.

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

Busy Day: Athlete

Picturebook

Join the busy athlete as he goes for gold in this playful, interactive flap book!

Ready, set, go! Can you win the gold medal? Join in and use the flaps to help the athlete to warm up, jump over the pole, dive into the pool and much, much more. With interactive action-flaps, you can do it, too!

Each clever flap provides an action or scene-change to encourage children to actively engage and explore . The playful flaps are perfect for little hands to develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

Original concept and illustration by Dan Green.

Ready Steady Mo!

Picturebook

From Olympic gold medal winner Mo Farah and bestselling author of Oi Frog! , Kes Gray, comes a fun and action-packed picture book that will get kids reading, and running too!

So, what are you waiting for? Warm up, do the MOBOT, and then …

Run on the pavement
Run on the grass
Run in the playground
Perhaps not in class!

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

The perfect book to share and read aloud. With vibrant illustrations and a rhyming text.

Splash

Picturebook

Claire Cashmore, MBE and Paralympic gold medallist, was born without a left forearm – but she never let being different stand in the way of her big dreams. Splash is based on Claire’s real-life experience: this gold-medal-winning swimmer really was scared of water … until one day, everything changed!

These are Claire’s big sisters.
They call her Bear and ruffle her hair.
And whatever Claire’s sisters can do,
Claire can do too …

But there is one thing Claire won’t do …The water in the swimming pool makes her feel squirmy inside. Follow her sisters? No thank you! Not today?

Can Claire conquer her fears? Can she set foot in the water – and what will happen if she does?

Flying High

Picturebook

Before she was a record-breaking, world-famous gymnast, Simone Biles spent time in foster care as a young child. Nimble and boundlessly energetic, she cherished every playground and each new backyard. When she was six years old, Simone’s family took shape in a different way: her grandparents, Ron and Nellie Biles, adopted her and her sister Adria. Simone was also introduced to gymnastics that same fateful year, launching a lifelong passion fueled by remarkable talent, sacrifice, and the undying support of her family.

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.

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