Sports/Olympics Books?

[Kathryn, The Princess of Picture-Books]

With the Olympics starting tonight, I wondered if any of you have come across some excellent books about athletes--Olympic or otherwise?

I just read a wonderful one Mermaid Queen: The Spectacular True Story Of Annette Kellerman, Who Swam Her Way To Fame, Fortune & Swimsuit History! that might be up for discussion in our March Picture Book Club reads on Outstanding Women.

[Kathryn, The Princess of Picture-Books]

When I was in Canada in June, they had some picture books out featuring the Olympic mascots, but I did not have the time to peruse them. They certainly are odd, cute little critters! :-) Of course, there has been some controversy surrounding them already, but here is a favorable review of the book and links so you can see it:

http://canadianhomelearning.blogspot....

Maybe some of our Canadian members have seen the books around???

[Shannon]

The picture book that pops into my mind is not Olympic but it is very Canadian and about sports. It is based on a true story: The Moccasin Goalie What is more Canadian than that eh? (And I realize you didn't ask for Canadian sports but with the Olympics here...)

[Kathryn, The Princess of Picture-Books]

That book looks great, Shannon! I am up for sports books about sports popular in any countries--that's the beauty of the Olympics :-) Thanks! (Or even sports NOT represented in the Olympics, too.)

[Eastofoz]

Magic Tree House Research Guides for kids has an excellent history of the Olympics: Magic Tree House Research Guide: Ancient Greece and the Olympics and there's an accompanying story that goes with it Hour of the Olympics.

[Shannon]

Eastofoz wrote: "Magic Tree House Research Guides for kids has an excellent history of the Olympics: Magic Tree House Research Guide: Ancient Greece and the Olympics and there's an accompanying story t..."

I totally forgot about the magic treehouse olympic books. Good one.

[Kathryn, The Princess of Picture-Books]

Abigail wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "Of course, there has been some controversy surrounding them already..."

What has the controversy been about, Kathryn? "

I've read things here and there but this sums up the pros and cons nicely

http://winterolympicgames.suite101.co...

I had also heard that one of them looked too close to a character already existing in Japanese animation though I don't remember if that was just outrage against something seeming non-Canadian or if there were possible copyright issues in play.

[Eastofoz]

Chandra, the Magic Tree House series really does cover everything and then some about world history etc. I can't recommend the series enough :)

[Kathryn, The Princess of Picture-Books]

Yes! Loved the the opening ceremony honored children's literature, although I think I would have preferred more of the "lovable" characters like Winnie the Pooh and Peter Pan to the villains, but it was still a nice production.

Alas, I don't think I've come across any books to add to the list here.

[Kim]

I read a book called The First Olympic Games[book:The First Olympic Games: A Gruesome Greek Myth with a Happy Ending
It's got it all, action, sports, history... The kids love it!

[Michele]

Ah! The drama and trauma of the Olympics! My daughter's gym has a connection with Jordan Wieber's gym and even the coaches are retabulating her scores for us! (if you watched the gymnastics, you would know that Jordan did not qualify for the All-Around competition).

Is this a fiction or non-fiction question? At my school, boys like to read sports books primarily about football or baseball--since it is what they play. Not exactly Olympic sports. Gymnastics is popular among the girls, probably because we have a pretty good gym in our town. American Girl has a new (ish) Today Girl doll and book series about a gymnast,McKenna. They also produce many non-fiction books about gymnastics. The doll cracks me up too, as one of the accessories you can purchase for her is a cast and crutches! Of course! (my daughter is a gymnast and injuries are a regular part of gymnastics)

[Michele]

Abigail wrote: "Michele: I'm not usually a big fan of American Girl (too much marketing and paraphernalia, for my taste), ...

It is definitely formula fiction, but I think it serves a purpose. My daughter loved American Girl when she was 4-5-6-7 years old. She played more than she read, but she did read the books. I think it is more dolls with books on the side, but she did get really into the whole package. I am less fond of the magazine, because I feel like a magazine should not be controlled by one source.