This is the second week of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, the first ever games to be postponed by a whole year. Competition is steep and excitement is in the air in both Japan and the rest of the world. After 125 years, many amazing athletes have competed and only a few have won the coveted gold medal. Here is a list of books perfect for young readers and listeners to learn more about the games and the incredible Olympians that have competed over the years.
Let's start off this book list with a book that does an outstanding job at giving an overview of the Olympic Games. Starting with A and ending with Z, this book goes over some of the history, athletes and sports of the Olympics. With exciting illustrations and a easy to read format, this book is a great choice for children 6-9 years old.
Simon Biles is the face of USA gymnastics with her record breaking wins and new moves. Now she is competing once more in Tokyo for the gold with a brand new team. Written in a poetic style, this book is one of my favorites with its fun rhyming scheme easy for young children to read and understand. The illustrations are in beautiful bright colors sure to catch the eye of both young listeners and readers alike. I would recommend this book for children 4-8 years old.
There is so much to learn when it comes to the Olympics. Full of rich history, amazing achievements and surprising events, this short book using the alphabet to touch on some of the most interesting facts and information. Because of its size, this book would be great for kids 5-8.
Alice Coachman was a natural athlete but being a black woman in the early twentieth century meant her dreams would be much harder for her to achieve. A Georgia native, Alice trained and won many competitions with her amazing speed and strength. This delightful book is wonderful not only as a inspiring piece of literature, but also as tool for teaching the wrongs of racism. This would be great choice for any elementary aged child.
Did you know who Cathy Freeman is and what the Olympic pins are? This book reveals some of the most important information and interesting facts about the Olympics. Divided up into five short chapters with amazing photos, this book is a great choice for kids 8-11 years old.
With lots of practice and training, wins and losses, becoming an Olympian is no easy feat. Laurie Hernandez, a gold medal gymnast, knows this to be true. In her cute and inspiring picture book, she tells the story of Zoe and her dream of becoming a gymnast who can fly. This short book is perfect for kids 4-7.
After the closing of the Olympic games, another branch of the Olympics begins: the Paralympic games. These games were created for the disabled so they too can compete in athletic sports. This book is a great overview of who created the Paralympics, what sports take place and who were some of the most famous athletes to compete. I would highly recommend this book for children 8-12 years old.
Lewis Tewanima born in 1879, was a Hopi from the Arizona Mesa who competed in the 1912 Olympics. While there, he came in second place in the 10,000 meter race, setting a new record time for US runners. With shorts paragraphs and colorful illustrations, this biography is a great choice for young children 5-8 years old.
Michael Jordan is one of the most famous basketball players of all time. His career was full of amazing titles and wins. One of his biggest dreams was to become an Olympian representing the United States of America. This fun picture book shows readers the importance of being a dreamer and a doer. I recommend this book for children 4-8 years old.
The Olympics are a unique kind of competition with it's many sports, diverse athletes and surprising wins and losses. Looking back on some of the most historic games, this nonfiction book walks young readers through major wins and surprising events of each year with brightly colored illustrations and fun information boxes. I would recommend this book for children 8-12 years old.
Jesse Owens, one of the most well-known track Olympians, faced many difficulties during his career. As an young African American man, Jesse Owens showed immense promise and attracted the attention of coaches and fellow athletes. From becoming a part of the US Olympic team, to competing in the 1936 Berlin Olympics, to winning four gold members and the friendship of his biggest rival, this book does a great job of describing the many events that shaped Jesse Owens' life. I recommend this book for kids 7-11.
The Olympics are an important and special event that brings together the countries of the world for two weeks of thrilling competition. With a two year gap between the two seasonal games, many people from across the globe are thrilled to cheer on their country's athletes in hopes of getting the gold. These books are great for young readers and listeners alike to learn more about this exciting event.
~Abigail C.
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