Books for the Summer Olympics

By Kaitlyn Spotts | July 22 2021 | GeneralEarly ConceptsHealth, Fitness, and Wellness

The Summer Olympic Games, also known as the Games of the Olympiad, are a major international multi-sport event typically held once every four years. The Games were first held in 1896 in Athens, Greece, and were most recently held in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

After a yearlong postponement, the 2021 Summer Olympics are set to take place in Tokyo and begin this month. Get in the Olympic spirit with these great summer books and inspirational reads!

Explore our full collection of Summer Olympics sports titles here.

What Are the Summer Olympics?
978-0-448-48834-9
Run, swim, and race back in time to experience the Summer Olympics - from ancient Greece to modern-day super events.
$7.99 US
Mar 22, 2016
Paperback
112 Pages
Penguin Workshop

Queen of the Track
Alice Coachman, Olympic High-Jump Champion
978-1-59078-850-9
Here is a story of Alice Coachman, the first African-American woman to win an Olympic gold medal.When Alice Coachman was a girl, most White people wouldn't even shake her hand. Yet when the King of England placed an Olympic medal around her neck in 1948, he extended his hand to Alice in congratulations. Standing on a podium in London's Wembley Stadium, Alice was a long way from the fields of Georgia where she ran barefoot as a child. With a record-breaking leap, she had become the first African-American woman to win an Olympic gold medal. This inspirational picture book is perfect to celebrate Women's History Month or to share any day of the year.
$18.99 US
Mar 01, 2012
Hardcover
40 Pages
Astra Young Readers

My Encyclopedia of Very Important Sports
For little athletes and fans who want to know everything
DK
978-1-4654-9151-0
A charming children's encyclopedia bursting with fun facts about the world of sport, for little learners who want to know everything!The world is so much bigger than young minds can fathom and there is always more to learn. My Encyclopedia of Very Important Sport is a vibrant encyclopedia for curious 5-9 year olds, with a unique approach to the subject of sport that combines facts and figures with the inspiring stories of sporting legends and icons.This exciting book for children is packed with fun facts about a range of popular sportssuch as football, karate, badminton, and skiing, as well as ones you might never have heard of like biathlon or cheese rolling. Whether you’re a fan of team sports, winter sports, water sports, extreme sports, and even board games such as chess and go, this reference book has it all! My Encyclopedia of Very Important Sport also celebrates the unique talents, lives, and careers of sporting heroes such as Usain Bolt, Serena Williams, Yuna Kim, Lin Dan, and Donald Bradman, and chronicles the most celebrated stories in sporting history, such as breaking the Four-minute mile, Nadia Comaneci’s Perfect 10, and Jesse Owens at the 1936 Olympics. Featuring everything from obscure rules and strange equipment, to moments of triumph and sporting events like The World Cup, Superbowl, Olympics, Paralympics, and more – this is the perfect book for budding superstars everywhere.Celebrate your child’s curiosity as they:- Read all about individual sports, team sports, motor sports, and winter sports- Learn the stories of sporting legends such as Usain Bolt, Serena Williams and more- Discover key moments in sporting historyOur encyclopedia for children is the perfect blend of striking illustrations and educational text, written in a friendly, witty and fun manner, featuring a combination of fact-files, detailed paragraphs, labels, and speech bubbles. Topics are simple to navigate – perfect for knowledgeable sports fans who want to read about their favorites as well as readers who are unfamiliar with sport and are looking to learn.Encourage early learners to go on a journey to explore a world of information, making this the ideal first reference book for kids aged 5-9 to enjoy for hours on end, whether for shared reading with the family or reading alone, this fun fact book for children also doubles up as the perfect gift for curious kids who love to learn. Tell the story of the world one page at a time, by uncovering: - Educational content written in a friendly and fun manner - Beautifully padded cover with several high-quality finishes, including padding and foil- Features a built-in ribbon bookmark so you never lose your place whilst reading More in the SeriesMy Encyclopedia of Very Important Sport is part of the educational kid’s book series My Very Encyclopedia series. Complete the series and nurture your child's curiosity with My Encyclopedia of Very Important Adventures, teach them about different species with My Encyclopedia of Very Important Animals, or let them walk with the dinosaurs who ruled the earth before them in My Encyclopedia of Very Important Dinosaurs.
$18.99 US
May 05, 2020
Hardcover
224 Pages
DK Children

She Persisted in Sports
American Olympians Who Changed the Game
978-0-593-11454-4
From Chelsea Clinton and Alexandra Boiger, the #1 New York Times bestselling team behind She Persisted, comes a new book featuring woman athletes who overcame and inspired--perfect for fans of the Olympics!
$17.99 US
Sep 22, 2020
Hardcover
32 Pages
Philomel Books

Fauja Singh Keeps Going
The True Story of the Oldest Person to Ever Run a Marathon
978-0-525-55509-4
The inspiring true story of Fauja Singh, who broke world records to become the first one hundred-year-old to run a marathon, shares valuable lessons on the source of his grit, determination to overcome obstacles, and commitment to positive representation of the Sikh community.
$18.99 US
Aug 25, 2020
Hardcover
48 Pages
Kokila

Hour of the Olympics
978-0-679-89062-1
The #1 bestselling chapter book series of all time celebrates 25 years with new covers and a new, easy-to-use numbering system! No girls allowed at the Olympic Games! That's the rule when the Magic Tree House whisks Jack and Annie back to ancient Greece. But when Annie tells jack to go to the games without her, he knows she's up to something. Will Annie find a way to see the games? Or will she get herself—and Jack—into Olympic-size trouble? Find out in Hour of the Olympics. Did you know that there’s a Magic Tree House book for every kid? Magic Tree House: Adventures with Jack and Annie, perfect for readers who are just beginning chapter books Merlin Missions: More challenging adventures for the experienced reader Super Edition: A longer and more dangerous adventure Fact Trackers: Nonfiction companions to your favorite Magic Tree House adventures
$6.99 US
Oct 20, 1998
Paperback
96 Pages
Random House Books for Young Readers

Young Pele
Soccer's First Star
978-0-375-87156-6
Now in paperback, an inspiring picture-book biography about the Black-Hispanic athlete Pele, that's sure to score big with young sports fans.
$8.99 US
Sep 13, 2011
Paperback
40 Pages
Dragonfly Books