There are so many inspirational picture book biographies featuring the events of the Summer Olympics! Here are the ones that I managed to nab from the library. We are going to read these picture books about the Olympics in the week leading up to the opening ceremonies.
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Reference Books about the Olympics
The Olympics Encyclopedia for Kids
The Olympics Encyclopedia will be such a handy reference to find answers to all the kids questions during the Olympics.
“This encyclopedia highlights more than 40 Olympic sports. Alongside both historic and recent photographs, readers will learn about the basics of each competition, its origin, how it has changed throughout the years, and the icons in each sport. In addition, this book provides information about the Paralympics. Features include a glossary, additional resources, and an index.” -Amazon
“From the first games held in ancient Greece to the cultural extravaganzas of recent years, there have been some incredible and amazing events and milestones in the world of Olympic sports. Now in G is for Gold Medal: An Olympics Alphabet, writer Brad Herzog showcases those athletes and events that not only set sports records but also impacted history and world views.” -Amazon
From Ancient Greece to Present Day
Hour of the Olympics, Magic Tree House #16
“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.” -Amazon
Ancient Greece and the Olympics
“When Jack and Annie got back from their adventure in Magic Tree House #16: Hour of the Olympics, they had lots of questions. What did the ancient Greeks wear? What did they do for fun? Where were the very first Olympics held? How are our modern Olympics similar to the ancient Olympics? Find out the answers to these questions and more as Jack and Annie track the facts.” -Amazon
First Olympics of Ancient Greece
“In ancient Greece different city-states often fought one another in deadly battles. But every four years the Greeks set aside their differences to honor the gods and compete peacefully in the Olympic Games. Learn all about the athletes, competitions, and religious ceremonies of the ancient Olympics.” -Amazon
Biography Picture Books about the Olympics
These are all picture book biographies about American athletes, with the exception of Nadia Comaneci.
- Who: Simone Biles
- Event: Gymnastics
- When: 2016, 2020 Olympics
- Who: Jim Thorpe
- Event: Decathlon
- When: 1912 Olympics
Nadia: The Girl Who Couldn’t Sit Still
- Who: Nadia Comaneci
- Event: Gymnastics
- Country: Romania
- When: 1976 Olympics
Sixteen Years in Sixteen Seconds
- Who: Sammy Lee
- Event: Diving
- When: 1948, 1952 Olympics
- Who: Wilma Rudolph
- Event: Track
- When: 1956, 1960 Olympics
- Who: Michael Jordan
- Event: Basketball
- When: 1984, 1992 Olympics
- Who: Coach Soichi Sakamoto
- Event: Swimming
- When: 1948, 1952, 1956 Olympics
- Who: Duke Kahanamoku
- Event: Swimming, Water Polo
- When: 1912, 1920, 1924 Olympics
“This book features: Margaret Ives Abbott, Gertrude Ederle, Mildred “Babe” Didrikson Zaharias, Wilma Rudolph, Jean Driscoll, Mia Hamm (and the 1996 Olympic soccer team), Kristi Yamaguchi, Venus and Serena Williams, Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh Jennings, Diana Taurasi, Simone Biles, Ibtihaj Muhammad and Jocelyne and Monique Lamoureux.” -Amazon