There\u2019s something really wonderful about watching the Summer Games with your kids. While it\u2019s always fun to watch the competition at that level, sharing those athletic accomplishments with a younger generation always feels like \u2014 pardon the pun \u2014 a passing of the torch. Like you\u2019re introducing your child to something special, telling them, \u201cI need to show you what astonishing things human beings can do.\u201d<\/p>\n
The 2021 Summer Games<\/a> are taking place in Tokyo, so if you want to start getting your kid excited for the events in swimming, gymnastics, track, and more \u2014 they start on July 23 \u2014 here are some excellent books about the athletes and the big event itself that should definitely get them interested in seeing who\u2019s coming home with the gold this year.<\/p>\n no no 9781465490933 When I Grow Up – Sports Heroes<\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/616740\/when-i-grow-up—sports-heroes-by-dk\/?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by DK <\/p>\n When watching all your favorite athletes competing at such a high level, it can be hard to imagine that they were little kids once too. What was Usain Bolt like before becoming a super sprinter or Simone Biles when she first started gymnastics? This fun board book teaches your future athlete that you can be anything you want to be when you grow up if you work hard and follow your dreams. 9781465493217 DK Reader Level 1: Welcome to Japan<\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/624373\/dk-reader-level-1-welcome-to-japan-by-dk\/9781465493217\/?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by DK <\/p>\n It\u2019s easy to get swept up in all the competitions, but another great part of this global event is getting to learn all about the host country. DK\u2019s Welcome to Japan<\/i> is a great introduction to what makes Japan and its culture so interesting and unique. With engaging text and beautiful photographs, little readers will learn all about Japanese calligraphy, cherry blossoms, Mount Fuji, and so much more! 9781101997796 Olympig!: The Triumphant Story of an Underdog<\/i> http:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/307066\/olympig-by-victoria-jamieson\/?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by Victoria Jamieson <\/p>\n This hysterical picture book \u2014 from the creator of the fantastic graphic novel Roller Girl<\/a><\/i> \u2014 is a perfect title if you have a little Olympic hopeful in your house who\u2019s still struggling to find their sport. Boomer the Pig has high hopes for the annual Animal Olympics, but, in event after event, he just can\u2019t seem to bring home the gold. But it never fazes Boomer, who happily sees every loss as an opportunity to develop even more skills for the next competition. A very funny read that holds an important message about the power of unwavering optimism. 9781580895460 Long-Armed Ludy and the First Women’s Olympics<\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/548670\/long-armed-ludy-and-the-first-womens-olympics-by-jean-l-s-patrick-author-adam-gustavson-illustrator\/9781580895460\/?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by Jean L. S. Patrick, illustrated by Adam Gustavson <\/p>\n This book tells the story of little-known athlete Lucile \u201cLudy\u201d Godbold. In the early 1920s, Ludy qualified for the first Women\u2019s Olympics in shot put, but she had no money to get to France for the event. After her college raises funds to help her compete, Lundy clobbers the world record and brings home the gold medal! This book shows that with perseverance and a fantastic support system, anything is possible. 9780679890621 Magic Tree House: Hour of the Olympics<\/i> http:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/125109\/hour-of-the-olympics-by-mary-pope-osborne-illustrated-by-sal-murdocca\/?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by Mary Pope Osborne, illustrated by Sal Murdocca <\/p>\n Forget Doc Brown and Marty McFly. If you\u2019re a kid, the two most famous time-travelers in the world are Jack and Annie, the stars of Mary Pope Osborne\u2019s hugely popular Magic Tree House<\/i> series<\/a>. And, since Jack and Annie have introduced kids to so many major historical events, why should the Olympics be any different? In this volume, Osborne has her two heroes travel back to Ancient Greece to witness the First Olympics, allowing your kids to learn about the origin of the games AND experience a fun adventure with a time-warped treehouse. That\u2019s a win-win. 9781465491527 My Book of Gymnastics<\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/623103\/my-book-of-gymnastics-by-dk\/9781465491527\/?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by DK <\/p>\n Your kids will flip for this book on gymnastics! With photographs and detailed illustrations, they\u2019ll discover different events like the vault, pommel horse, and rings, as well as all the daring moves that wow the judges (and viewers)! 9780448488349 What Are the Summer Olympics?<\/i> http:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/318047\/what-are-the-summer-olympics-by-gail-herman-illustrated-by-stephen-marchesi\/?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by Gail Herman, illustrated Stephen Marchesi and Kevin McVeigh <\/p>\n In my experience, kids love the What Was?<\/i> series<\/a>, a popular line of nonfiction history titles aimed at middle-grade readers. (There\u2019s also a Who Was?<\/i> series<\/a> focused on biographies.) My daughter affectionately refers to them as the \u201cBig Head Books\u201d because their covers always feature large-headed caricatures of their subjects. This volume focuses on the history of the Summer Olympics, tracing them all the way back to Ancient Greece. A great introduction to the summer games for your growing independent reader. 9780593124529 Trailblazers: Simone Biles<\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/612419\/trailblazers-simone-biles-by-sally-j-morgan\/?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by Sally J. Morgan <\/p>\n As the reigning world and Olympic champion in gymnastics, Simone Biles’ story is one worth knowing. Winning four Olympic gold medals at the 2016 Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro, Biles is a sports icon in her own right. But the road to becoming an elite gymnast wasn’t easy. Trailblazers: Simone Biles<\/i> masterfully outlines Biles\u2019 life, trials, and successes in a powerful way. Her story of charisma, courage, and confidence is sure to inspire young readers to blaze their own path to greatness. 9780375871689 Rush for the Gold: Mystery at the Olympics<\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/211510\/rush-for-the-gold-mystery-at-the-olympics-the-sports-beat-6-by-john-feinstein\/9780375871689\/?ref=PRH06C9ECE222&aid=randohouseinc22957-20&linkid=PRH06C9ECE222 by John Feinstein <\/p>\n
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