Sporty books to get kids excited about the Olympics
The 2024 Paris Olympics are here! Whether you’re setting alarms to and getting up early to watch, or simply waiting for the highlights to appear on social media, there’s no better time to dive into these exciting, sporty books, perfect for both children and young adults. Biographies, graphic novels, picture books and more, there’s something here for lovers of all sports.
A highlight of our favourites
Kid Olympians by Robin Stevenson, illustrated by Allison Steinfeld
Triumphant, relatable, and totally true – these biographies tell the childhood stories of a diverse group of international athletes who have captured the world's attention at the Summer Olympics and Paralympics.
In Kid Olympians: Summer, discover the childhood stories of legends such as Usain Bolt, who used to skip practices to go to the arcade and play video games; Serena Williams, who sometimes hit her tennis ball over the fence on purpose; Tatyana McFadden, who had to fight to be allowed on her school's track team. Featuring kid-friendly text and full-color illustrations, you'll be inspired to dream bigger, faster, and higher than ever before
Usain Bolt by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara
Discover the life of Usain Bolt; growing up in a rural town in Jamaica, Usain was a standout cricketeer and sprinter from a young age. His speed was noticed by coaches, and by the age of 14, he was wowing fans with his lightning speed. He took the world by storm at the 2008 Beijing Olympics when he broke numerous records, and he became the fastest man ever at the World Championships in 2009 with a time of 9.58 seconds! Despite the pressure and even a few off-days, Usain continued to be monumental in his achievements.
Freddie Spector, Fact Collector: Go for Gold by Ashleigh Barton, illustrated by Peter Cheong
Freddie Spector loves collecting facts, at the moment he's obsessed with facts about sport. It's all he talks about: weird sports, Olympic sports, extreme sports, athletes and sporting history. He writes all his facts on sticky notes that his mum and big sister, Henrietta, keep finding in weird places – like in a cup of coffee or the shower!
When the medals for the school sports carnival go missing and the carnival is about to be cancelled, Freddie realises it's up to him to use his facts to solve the mystery and save the day.
A Blast from the Past
Asterix at The Olympic Games by Rene Goscinny
Asterix, Obelix, and their friends have entered the famous Olympic games in Athens. They’re determined to taste victory, but the Gauls face formidable competition from both Greeks and Romans.
Will it be a Gold Medal for Asterix? Or will he suffer the agony of defeat?
Going for Gold (an Ancient Greek Puzzle Mystery) by Andy Seed
When ancient Greek friends Phoebe and Leon discover that a pentathlon athlete is cheating in the Olympic Games, they realise they must stop him! But there are a lot of puzzles to solve along the way, from a mysterious message discovered in the temple to a suspicious conversation at the stadium. Will Phoebe and Leon be able to stop the villain before the winner is crowned?
It's a race to the finish line!
The Timekeepers: Ancient Olympics by DK
The Timekeepers are a secret organisation of kids who keep the course of history on track and stop a villain called DeLay, who's set on causing chaos! In this instalment, the Timekeepers are tipped off that the Time Pirate DeLay is planning on sabotaging the first Olympic Games, and are whisked back to Ancient Greece to put a stop to his plans.
Picture books about sport
Lonely Planet Kids Let’s Play Sports by Lonely Planet Kids
Embark on a fun-filled sporting journey with this lift-the-flap book for young readers. Find famous and lesser-known games and sports from across the continents and learn how children around the world play. From ice hockey in Canada, baseball in the USA to kabbadi in India – discover interactive surprises and beautiful illustrations on every page.
Last-Place Lin by Wai Chim, illustrated by Freda Chiu
It's Sports Day! Everyone has a different House colour. I'm in the Red House. Go Red! It's time for the sack race. On your marks, get set, go!
But not everyone can come first . . . sometimes winning means finishing, even if you finish last.
Super Sports Stars Who Are Changing the Game by Rick Broadbent, illustrated by Alexander Mostov
Discover 20 incredible true stories of sporting legends. Incredible facts about each sportsperson’s life and times are accompanied by bright and accessible illustrations, making this book ideal for young children wanting to learn about amazing athletes, who through their achievements and action on and off the pitch have changed the world for the better.
Women in Sports by Rachel Ignotofsky
Highlighting the pioneering efforts of women athletes, this board book edition of the adult bestseller features simpler text and Rachel Ignotofsky’s signature beautiful illustrations to give young girls the perfect role models to grow up with while inspiring a love of sports. The collection includes diverse women across various sports, time periods, and geographic location. The perfect gift for every future athlete!
Middle Fiction (for ages 8-12)
My Australian Story: Our Race for Reconciliation by Anita Heiss
Mel Gordon loves running and watching Seinfeld, but mostly she loves Cathy Freeman. It’s 2000 and the Olympics are going to be held in Australia. In a year of surprises, Mel finds out that Cathy Freeman is coming to talk to her school. And her family is heading to Sydney!
It becomes an unforgettable journey to Corroboree 2000, bringing together all Australians as they march and sing and celebrate Australia’s Indigenous heritage and also acknowledge past wrongs.
Elsewhere Girls by Emily Gale & Nova Weetman
Cat has recently started at a new school on a sports scholarship, and she’s feeling the pressure of early morning training sessions and the need for total commitment. Fanny loves to swim and she lives for racing, but family chores and low expectations for girls make it very hard for her to fit in even the occasional training session. Cat and Fanny have never met. They both live in the same Sydney suburb, but in different worlds, or at least different times – Cat in current-day Sydney, and Fanny in 1908. But one day, time slips and they swap places. As each girl lives the other’s life, with all the challenges and confusion it presents, she comes to appreciate and understand herself and the role of swimming in her own life.
Narrated in alternating chapters by Cat and Fanny, Elsewhere Girls is a moving and funny story of two girls with a deep connection, one based on the Australian Olympic champion, Fanny Durack. It’s a fresh and engaging exploration of the challenges and pressures for young women growing up in the past and today.
Also check out As Fast as I Can, Sunny, Extra Time, and The Breakaways for more sporty reads!
Young Adult (for ages 13+)
The F Team by Rawah Arja
Meet Tariq Nader, leader of ‘The Wolf Pack’ at Punchbowl High, who has been commanded by the new principal to join a football competition with his mates in order to rehabilitate the public image of their school. When the team is formed, Tariq learns there’s a major catch – half of the team is made up of white boys from Cronulla, aka enemy territory – and he must compete with their strongest player for captaincy of the team.
At school Tariq thinks he has life all figured out until he falls for a new girl called Jamila, who challenges everything he thought he knew. At home, his outspoken ways have brought him into conflict with his family. Now, with complications on all fronts, he has to dig deep to control his anger, and find what it takes to be a leader.
Take the Shot by Susan White
Bug has a secret. Actually, he has a lot of secrets. By this point, Bug's secrets have secrets. Like . . . Number one: he's formed a basketball team at his new school based on a giant lie. Number two: his parents don't know he's playing basketball again. Number three: his new teammates have no idea he isn't allowed to play, and they definitely don't know why. Bug will do anything to keep his secrets, keep his new team and keep his life from falling apart. Because no one can know the biggest secret of all: Bug risks his life every time he steps out onto the basketball court.
