Have you ever noticed how powerful and exquisite some children's books are? Sometimes they are even more captivating, more able to teach...than adult novels and self-help titles.
When I come across a well-done children's book, I tend to flip the pages, slowly - absorbing the details, the expressions, and the artwork.
Harcourt recently sent us "Wilma Unlimited: How Wilma Rudolph Became the World's Fastest Woman," written by Kathleen Krull and illustrated by David Diaz. It is the inspiring true story of a little girl who is stricken by polio and is told she may never walk again. As you probably know, she later goes on to become an Olympic gold medalist, defying discouragement and embracing hope.
I appreciate the book's message - perseverance, possibilities. I also appreciate that the author uses everyday adult vocabulary in her writing rather than trying to "baby" the language.
Although this book is ideal for anytime of year, I think it is particularly relevant for right now - Olympic season.
YOUR TURN: Are you watching the Olympics? Who are you cheering on this year?
WIN IT! One winner will receive a copy of "Wilma Unlimited" by Kathleen Krull. To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Sunday, February 28th at 11:59 p.m. (Don’t forget to follow the rules…all generic comments like “Enter me!,” “Love it,” and “Cool stuff!” will be disqualified.).
* I received a review copy of the book.
*UPDATE* The winner is #21 Lisa. Congratulations!
I would love to win this Thank You for this great giveaway [email protected]
We are always on the out look for such quality kid books. Looks and sounds like a good one
This is indeed a lovely book, and a great story. We's love to read it together and treasure it. Thanks.
bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com
It sounds like an inspiring story. I'm always looking for great new books to share with my son.
I had never actually heard of this book, or the story within, before but it really makes a change from the usual kids stuff like Dr Seuss.
I think this would be a great story for my daughter and I to read together.
We love the olympics! It is very inspiring. My kids have been having wonderful times skiing, skating and attempting snowboarding on their sleds after watching.
I am always interested in adding good books to our library. This book is so inspirational. My daughter is 2 and actually has enjoyed watching the Olympic ice skaters.
Watching some of the olympics-I enjoy the skating and curling
What an uplifting story.
I love to watch the Olympics. Unfortunately... we do all of our watching online and NBC's player won't work with my 4-year-old Mac. Hubby's laptop died over the weekend so as soon as we can get it replaced I'll have to steal it and watch my favorite events...
Cheering for Team USA!
I am not watching the Olympics this year, but I am a fan of skating. I am rooting for the Americans!
smchester at gmail dot com
I hate that the Olympics are on past bedtime - and we don't have one of those fancy recorder things. But yes, the Olympics are just so inspiring!
Wilma Ruldoph was truly an inspirational woamn and all children should read about her legacy.
I keep missing the events I am interested in. Let's see..I turned it on and saw curling. Tried again and it was curling. I really wanted to catch Shaun White and I am sure I will google it later. Just been too busy.
I have compleatly neglected the Olympics this year. I did show T a bit of the snowboarding, my goodness, their poor mothers :)
I love finding 'different' childrens books - this biography sounds and looks wonderful
Such an inspiring story! I would love to win this book for my neice :)
What a great book, we love watching the skiing. We went to the Salt Lake Olympics and feel very gratefull for the experience. We are trying to watch a bit of everything.
We have been trying to watch the Olympics. My oldest is particularly interested in the figure skating events.
My daughter would love to have this book. She loves running and would like to become a track star someday.
We are watching but get very frustrated with all the flipping back and forth through events and holding off finals until late at night. Can you tell we don't have a DVR like the rest of the world! We are always looking for new books to share with our daughter as she is an avid book listener. We read her at least 25 books a day and it gets old fast reading the same ones!
my 3 year old has loved watching the olympics! she would be so grateful for a copy of this book!
Believe it or not, I don't think our television has been on since the Olympics started. I've seen some of the highlights on my computer, but my girls are oblivious to the Olympics for this year. Maybe next year we'll introduce them to it.
I love books with uplifting messages. Thank you for sharing it. I have added it to my amazon wishlist!
My husband has been glued to the olympics in the evenings. We have fun watching the snowboarders and the ski jumpers.
what an inspirational story love to have a copy
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Love, love the Olympics. I admire all the hard work and dedication the athletes put in and obviously the skill. I check out all the winners first thing when I get online. I am for USA in general but love the snow boarders, free style skiing and the skeleton.
From your pictures the illustrations in the book look amazing....hope I win !!!(:
Sounds like a great book...I love this illustrator as well. Have you ever read Smokey Night by Eve Bunting? He did the artwork in that one too! Would love to read this one...will have to check the library next time we're there.
We actually don't watch the Olympics but it's not because I don't want to. It's just because we don't get any stations. I love to read though, and so do my girls so this will be a fun one to request at the library!
We have enjoyed watching the Olympics here and there this past week. I'm always inspired by the human interest stories they attach to the athletes. This book looks really interesting...a new one for me! I like David Diaz's illustrations, too. Very colorful, vivid and bold. Your daughter looks like she's enjoying it, too!
Its such an inspirational story isnt it- to overcome a disability with the help of others and also to be a minority- she's a hero of mine!
I think now is an especially appropriate time for this book, as not only are the winter olympics going going on (including some historic firsts for black athletes - Ghana's first ever winter olympian is competing this year) but it is black history month, something we would do well to celebrate more holistically.
Colorful good message books are so important. I've been watching the snowboarding just gotta love Shaun White!
That looks like a great book to add to a collection! I love biographies and have a few that we read to our 9 month old such as Helen Keller and Anne Frank.
I love watching the Olympics, and this is the first year that I've watched much of the winter ones. I don't really care who wins...I just like to see strong competition and, especially, to hear the background of the athletes.
I recognize the author's name, but I can't remember what else we've read by her. I've been trying to incorporate more non-fiction into our reading, so I'm going to have to check out some of her other kid's books.
No TV. No Olympics.
(But we check out the highlights on-line)
Oh, yeah, we are crazy about the Olympics, even the sports I can't quite understand (ice dancing anyone?). My cousin-in-law was in Vancouver for a couple of days last week and she's bringing me back some of those adorable mittens with the Canadian maple leaf on them. I'm pretty excited for my own Olympic souvenir.
Sounds like a wonderful book! I'm cheering on the USA in general, but no one in particular :-)
Wow that looks like an amazing book!
I am not really watching the Olympics, but only due to lack of time. I'm trying to keep up with what is going on through the news. I am cheering for anyone who doesn't embarrass themselves these days!
What an amazing story! I enjoy really good children's books too. I'll have to check it out at the library. Thanks! :)