What do you think?
Rate this book
Yes, I Can!: The Story of the Jamaican Bobsled Team
The story of the original Jamaican Bobsled Team is one about having the courage to pursue your dreams, persevering in the face of all difficulties and defining success in your own terms. When Devon Harris, Michael White, Dudley Stokes and Christian Stokes decided to follow their dreams to the Olympics they knew nothing about their sport and had only a few months to get ready. Ice? They didn t have any. Jamaica is a tropical island famous for sun ,sea and surf, Support? They didn t have any. Many people laughed at them and thought they were a joke. Money? They didn t have any . They sold T-shirts to raise the funds they needed. Equipment? They didn t have any. They rented an old inferior sled in order to compete Olympic dreams die hard. With dogged determination and a belief in themselves and each other they did the impossible by qualifying as the members of their nation s first Winter Olympic Team. With personal and national pride on the line these underdogs competed fiercely at the 1988 Winter Olympic Games in Calgary, Canada. The awesome foursome didn t win a medal but they won the heart of the entire world. They have taught us that we can still succeed against seemingly insurmountable odds if we believe in ourselves and say Yes, I Can! Here s to following your dream!
56 pages, Paperback
First published December 31, 2005
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 3, 2019
As most people know, I have a weakness for Cool Runnings so I had to get the book.
This is a cute little book (in poetry format!) that tells the story of the real Jamaican bobsled team as written BY one of the original members! The questions in the back are great for a classroom discussion for upper elementary school students so I'd say it would be a solid addition to any elementary classroom lineup.
This is a cute little book (in poetry format!) that tells the story of the real Jamaican bobsled team as written BY one of the original members! The questions in the back are great for a classroom discussion for upper elementary school students so I'd say it would be a solid addition to any elementary classroom lineup.
April 15, 2008
You may remember the Jamaican bobsled team from seeing them in the Calgary Winter Olympics in 1988 or seen the movie based upon these events, Cool Runnings starring the late John Candy.
The tale is really quite inspirational. Four individuals (Devon Harris, Michael White, Dudley Stokes, and Christian Stokes) had Olympics dreams. Since the four men had decided to compete as bobsledders, most people thought that they were a joke. Despite this, second hand equipment, endless fundraising, getting used to the cold, and endless training, the team members never gave up. Not only did the team compete at the Olympics but they won a special place in our hearts.
In Yes, I Can!, Devon Harris shares this inspirational story with children who are much too young to remember the Calgary Olympics. This is one of those books that I suggest that a parent read along with the kids as some of the words are a bit challenging. Also, I think that parents who saw the team on the news will enjoy sharing their memories of these events with their child.
The tale is really quite inspirational. Four individuals (Devon Harris, Michael White, Dudley Stokes, and Christian Stokes) had Olympics dreams. Since the four men had decided to compete as bobsledders, most people thought that they were a joke. Despite this, second hand equipment, endless fundraising, getting used to the cold, and endless training, the team members never gave up. Not only did the team compete at the Olympics but they won a special place in our hearts.
In Yes, I Can!, Devon Harris shares this inspirational story with children who are much too young to remember the Calgary Olympics. This is one of those books that I suggest that a parent read along with the kids as some of the words are a bit challenging. Also, I think that parents who saw the team on the news will enjoy sharing their memories of these events with their child.
Read
February 14, 2018It was a nice story.I think the book means don't give up on your dream keep trying
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews