It's back-to-school time! Care to try out a new sport? It could be by yourself, or with a fun team. It could be easy peasy, or a little bit of challenge. It can go as far as to the wild, or you can do it on your bedroom mat. Not sure where to start? Why don't we take inspiration from a list of charming illustrated storybooks, all about sports!
When you can swim
Wong, Jack, 1985- author, illustrator.
jE Wong
Sports
"A reverent celebration of learning to swim among a diverse cast of children and families who each experience the mysterious joys of water in nature"--
1, 2, 3, Jump!
Detlefsen, Lisl H., author.
jE Detlefse
From what to wear (a bathing suit, of course!) to what to expect (no, your teacher will not be a mermaid), 3, 2, 1 Jump! covers the what if's and how to's of getting in the pool for the first time. There's a lot to worry about (can I be sucked in the filter?) and even more to be excited about (when can I wear flippers?), and our narrator has thought of everything. By the time she's ready, you to will want to jump in!
Bubbles...up!
Davies, Jacqueline, 1962- author.
jE Davies
"A day at the community pool is full of unwater magic--dunking and diving with friends; somersaulting, walking on your hands, and bursting up through the surface like a tortoise. But when a thunderstorm comes and a little brother ventures too close to the pool's edge, will our main character be quick enough and brave enough to save the day?"--
Saturday is swimming day
Yum, Hyewon, author, illustrator.
jE Yum
"Swimming lessons are on Saturdays, and every Saturday one little girl has a stomachache. When she gets to the pool it's loud, the floor is wet and slippery, and her swim cap is too tight. Her swimming instructor, Mary, says it's OK to sit by the edge if she doesn't want to get in the water this week. The next Saturday the girl has a stomachache again, but with Mary's gentle encouragement, she eventually manages to make it into the pool to practice her kicks. Little by little, the girl's confidence grows -- until one Saturday comes around when she has no stomachache at all! In a charming and relatable story about trying something new, author-illustrator Hyewon Yum shows that sometimes a little bravery and a lot of patience are all you need to face your fear" --From the publisher.
Wei skates on
Chen, Nathan, 1999- author.
jE Chen
"Olympic gold medalist and three-time World Champion Nathan Chen delivers an inspirational picture book about facing your fears and finding the joy in sports, no matter the outcome. Wei has loved ice-skating ever since his first visit to the rink. He loves gliding across the ice, taking flight on jumps, and moving with the music--there's nothing else like it! But as Wei's first big competition draws near, he begins to worry. He's been training hard, but what if he doesn't win? With help from Mom, can Wei find a way to handle his nerves? What would it feel like to skate without the pressure of winning? As the first Asian American man to win gold in figure skating, Nathan Chen is a celebrated role model for kids who want to shine on and off the ice. His uplifting message of positivity and perseverance makes this story the perfect choice for social emotional learning at home or in the classroom." --
Skater Cielo
Katstaller, Rachel, author, illustrator.
jE Katstaller
Cielo loves to skateboard, but loses her confidence after a fall, until the intervention of some new friends helps her regains her confidence.
Girls on wheels
Venkat, Srividhya, author.
ON ORDER BOOK
Follows three friends who support one another through the ups and downs of learning to skateboard.
Together we ride
Bolling, Valerie, author.
jE Bolling
Told in rhyming text, a young African American girl learns to ride a bike, with the help of her father.
Bike on, Bear!
Liu, Cynthea.
jE Liu
"Bear is an extraordinary, genius bear, who can do anything except ride a bike. Can Bear figure out how to get on two wheels?"--
I can be a gymnast
Depken, Kristen L., author.
jREADER Barbie
Barbie joins a gymnastics team and takes part in a competition.
She's got this
Hernandez, Laurie, 2000- author.
jE Hernande
"Even Olympians have to start somewhere. And in this charming illustrated book, Laurie Hernandez tells the story of Zoe, a little girl who dreams of flying--and becoming a gymnast. When Zoe sees a gymnast on TV, she realizes that gymnastics is just like flying. But when she first goes to class and falls off the balance beam, she discovers that following her dreams is harder and scarier than she thought. Through this heartwarming and inspirational story, featuring vibrant art from Nina Mata, Laurie imparts important lessons she learned on her way to Olympic glory: You always have to get back up and try again, and you always have to believe in yourself."--Publisher annotation.
Pearl goes to preschool
Fortenberry, Julie, 1956- author, illustrator.
jE Fortenbe
Pearl loves dance class, but when her mother suggests Pearl might like to go to preschool, she isn't so sure. How could anything be more important than dancing?--page 4 of cover.
The cranky ballerina
Gravel, Elise, author, illustrator.
jE Gravel
"Saturdays make Ada cranky because that's the day of her ballet class, and she hates ballet"--
Gloria's promise
Preiss-Glasser, Robin, author, illustrator.
jE Preiss-Glasser
"Gloria is a young dancer whose boundless determination makes her dream of dancing with the American Ballet Theatre come true"--
When Langston dances
Langley, Kaija, author.
jE Langley
Inspired by watching a performance of the Alvin Ailey Dance Company, a young black boy longs to dance and enrolls in ballet school.
This is it
Peoples-Riley, Daria, author, illustrator.
jE Peoples-Riley
"A young dancer finds confidence in herself in this picture book about dance, individuality, and self expression"--
Dance with Oti : the Bird Jive
Mabuse, Oti, author.
jE Mabuse
"Mrs. Oti teaches her class the Bird Jive in ten easy steps, encouraging movement and the expression of feelings."--
Ballet kids
Sterling, Holly, author.
jE Sterling
Thomas wants to be a ballet kid! He and his friends meet at the dance studio to take lessons from Mr. Elliot, their ballet instructor. The children stand at the barre and practice their feet positions--first position, second position-as well how to plie and releve. And then it's time to saute, or jump! Finally, the ballet kids get to choose their costumes for the Winter Show where they are performing The Nutcracker. What will Thomas choose?
Tap! tap! tap! : dance! dance! dance!
Tullet, Hervé, author, illustrator.
jE Tullet
"A celebration of movement from the bestselling author Hervé Tullet!"--
Karate kids
Sterling, Holly, author, illustrator.
jE Sterling
Join Maya and all her friends as they get together at the dojo for their Saturday karate class! There are moves to remember, blocks to practice, and punches to perfect. Maya is a white belt, which means she's still a beginner, but with focus, balance, and determination - and a little help from her friends - can she show Sensei what she's got?--description from Amazon.
Let's go to taekwondo : a story about persistence, bravery, and breaking boards
Kim, Aram, author, illustrator.
jE Kim
Yoomi loves studying taekwondo and wants to earn a yellow belt, but she is afraid to break a board until Grandma comes to the rescue. Includes facts about taekwondo and glossary of basic Korean terms.
The grandmaster's daughter
Kim, Dan-ah, author, illustrator.
jE Kim
At her father's dojang, Sunny and her friends practice Tae Kwon Do, defend the school against magical creatures, and make peace over shared persimmons.
Play ball!
Chan, Reika, author.
jREADER Peppa
When George has trouble playing baseball at school, Madame Gazelle offers to help.
Anybody's game : Kathryn Johnston, the first girl to play little league baseball
Lang, Heather, author.
jE Lang
"In 1950, Kathryn Johnston wanted to play Little League, but an unwritten rule kept girls from trying out. So she cut off her hair and tried out as a boy under the nickname "Tubby." She made the team--and inspired future generations. An inspiring and suspenseful story about what it means to want to do something so badly you're willing to break the rules--and how, sometimes, breaking the rules can lead to change"--
The Basket Ball
Codell, Esmé Raji, 1968-
jE Codell
After the boys won't let her join in their basketball game, Lulu decides to host a Basket Ball, where girls from all over come to participate and, with Lulu as captain, end up forming a special team.
The legend of Gravity : a tall basketball tale
Palmer, Charly, author, illustrator.
jE Palmer
"A tall tale about a local basketball hero nicknamed Gravity."--
Baller Ina
Casal, Liz, author, illustrator.
jE Casal
"A rhyming picture book about Ina who is a graceful ballerina who also loves to get competitive on the basketball court"--
I got next
Peoples-Riley, Daria, author, illustrator.
jE Peoples-Riley
"A young basketball player receives inspiration from a surprising place and joins the competition ready to try his best"--
Game, set, sisters! : the story of Venus and Serena Williams
Leslie, Jay, author.
j796.342092 Williams
In 1989, Venus and Serena Williams faced off in their first tennis tournament. They went on to take the tennis world by storm, achieved everything possible in the sport, and stood by one another through thick and thin. Leslie takes young readers from their beginnings on a crumbling Compton tennis court to their shining achievements, and shows us that despite being served some the most challenging hardships in life Venus and Serena always continued to swing back stronger. -- adapted from jacket
I am Billie Jean King
Meltzer, Brad, author.
jE Meltzer
Presents an illustrated biography of the tennis star, from her childhood and early competitive career to her role as activist for equality in sports.
Home run, touchdown, basket, goal! : sports poems for little athletes
Landry, Leo, author, illustrator.
jE Landry
"Baseball, basketball, karate, gymnastics, lacrosse, cycling, hockey, soccer, figure skating, tennis, football, and swimming--sports are so much fun to play together. Young and adorable art adds extra appeal to this poetry collection for the very youngest of athletes."--
The way champs play
Osaka, Naomi, 1997- author.
jE Osaka
Sports
"In a rhythmic celebration of sport and play, four-time Grand Slam champion and tennis superstar Naomi Osaka shares key steps to becoming a true champ, including being kind, working as a team, doing your best, and most importantly, having fun."--
A lovely rhyming picture book to read aloud with your little athletes! Tennis champion and advocate Naomi Osaka celebrates sportsmanship by sharing all the ways that champs play and highlighting that "We are all champs in our own Way. Being yourself is the way champs play!"
- Fang
Little kids first big book of sports
Buckley, James, Jr., 1963- author.
j796 Buckley
"This lively reference book for the younger set introduces a variety of team and individual sports, including football, baseball, basketball, gymnastics, tennis, archery, diving, and track and field events"--
Sports are fantastic fun!
Könnecke, Ole, 1961- author, illustrator.
jE Konnecke
"Experience the highs and lows in this collection of sports from around the world for armchair players, small and big."--Back cover.
Who won't be allured by the spashing fun in the water, and the power of freedom to discover the wonder of the whole wide world? With lots of joys and lots of imaginations, this new picture book makes a perfect read for little swimmers before they dare to take the first dip.
- Fang