CLIP Review: Wilma Unlimited

Author:  Kathleen Krull
Illustrator:  David Diaz
Suggested Age: Grades 1-3

This past weekend one of my grandsons brought me a 3-legged lizard "to fix" and a granddaughter was in tears over a ladybug that she was sure had stopped breathing. Children's hearts seem to  "root for the underdog" and have such faith that somehow everything will turn out perfectly. It seemed like an ideal time to begin sharing with them about some real-life "underdogs" who had shown perseverance in times of adversity to turn their lives around. And now with the Olympics, what better place to begin than with a great woman from the past - Wilma Rudolph.  

In 1944, just before turning five, an extremely energetic little Wilma was struck with polio, which paralyzed her left leg. The grim diagnosis was that she would never walk again.  Wilma refused to believe it. But her journey from diagnosis to representing the United States as a participant at the Olympic Games in Rome - as a runner - was long and hard.  What a thrill to compare the illustration of Wilma wearing the bulky, painful leg brace as a child and years later to see her sprinting in triumph over the finish line, making Olympic history at only 20 years old.  Click HERE for a video from the author.

Our children may face obstacles that seem overwhelming to them (and us!).  I hope you will share this book of perseverance and triumph with your children, realizing that, with determination, one can succeed despite the odds against them. 

Oh, on a final note...when we put the 3-legged lizard down - he did run off into the grass.

CLIP Book Review: Olympig!

Author & Illustrator:   Victoria Jamieson

                                                 The story of a pig going for Olympic gold.

Jamieson’s young porker, Boomer, is the first pig to compete in the history of the Animal Olympics. He’s a charger—“Hard work and practice make an Olympic champion”—but still a pig: not as strong as the elephant, as speedy as the cheetah or as brawny as the gorilla. A mean-spirited reporter tries to diminish his hopes, yet Boomer can only see gold dancing before his eyes. And they are wonderful eyes, enormously expressive in his great pig head as he proceeds to get trounced in every event. The reporter needles Boomer after every loss, and Boomer finally snaps when his cannonball fails to impress the diving judges and he quits. But his mother tells him how proud she is, and he returns for a slam-bang finale. Hope springs eternal; it’s not winning, but how you play the game; you can’t win them all.        OLYMPIC WEBSITE

CLIP Review: How to Train with a T. Rex and win 8 Gold Medals.

Author(s):  Michael Phelps and Alan Abrahamson

Illustrator: Ward Jenkins

Age Range: 6 - 9

Here's another Olympic-themed written by Michael Phelps.  Read it with your child to illustrate the time and discipline it takes to win 8 gold medals.  Share How to Train... with your child, as together you watch Phelps compete in the 2012 Summer Games.



Booklist Review
Michael Phelps recaps the six-year regimen that put him in shape to win a record eight

gold medals at the last Summer Olympics.  he livens his recitation of laps and reps with comparisons - "I trained for six years!  That's a kindergartener's whole life!  The the same as 42 dog years!"  and after swimming 17 races in nine days to reach to reach the finals, won the 100-Meter Butterfly by 1/100th of a second - "about the length of a fingernail."  Digitally rendered artwork humorously depicts the action, making the book visually appealing.  The author states, "I got so strong from training that my legs could press 300 pounds 60 times in one workout.  That's 18,000 pounds total, or nine tons!  I could leg-press a Tyrannosaurus Rex and 10 velociraptors!"  Providing an overview of an Olympian's rigorous preparations, this picture book may be used to inspire children to do great things and closes with a view of the athlete lounging on a sofa, holding a bowl of broccoli and thinking up new goals. 

CLIP Book Review: G is for Gold Medal

Author: Brad Herzog
Illustrator: Doug Bowles
Sugested Age: Preschool - Grade 3

This is the time of year when we begin teaching our preschoolers, "A is for Apple, B is for Ball...". Well, what could be more fun and appropriate than to introduce them to the alphabet through the exciting happenings of the Olympics?  


This brightly illustrated book begins with  "Ancient Greece and Athens, that's our first letter - A. The Olympics began then and there, long ago and far away."  "F" explains the five rings of the Olympic flag, "O" is for opening ceremony, and "P" for Paralympic games that bring together physically and mentally disabled athletes.  


Along with the poem for each letter there are also milestones of sports events explained, as well as facts about athletes who had an impact on history.  Understanding some of the obstacles that some of the athletes overcame as children (under "K"- Kids) is both amazing and inspirational.  Some of the things you will learn may be humorous. See if you can find out who was called "the world's laziest high jumper" and why someone jumped into the swimming pool with their clothes on! When you finish reading you'll have both a clearer understanding about how the Olympics have impacted history and how the athletes involved have helped to change world views.


  A medal, that's our letter M.                         OFFICIAL OLYMPIC WEBSITE
  You won! They're cheering loud!
  Stand for your national anthem.                    OLYMPIC WORKSHEETS & ACTIVITIES
  You made your country proud.

CLIP Review: A Walk in London

Author & Illustrator:  Salvatore Rubbino

We thought we would review a few books for the Olympics even though this month's theme is America.  (Actually is there anything more American than cheering for the red, white, & blue?)  We hope you enjoy our picks.  We begin with a wonderfully illustrated book about London.  I'll be surprised if you don't enjoy it as much as your children (perhaps even more).


A Booklist Review
"A wide-eyed girl and her mother explore London's busy streets and towering views in this child-friendly tribute to an incomparable city. London - the perfect place for a girl and her mother to spend the day! Follow them as they alight the classic red bus and begin a whirlwind tour of some of London's most iconic land marks. Try and climb the awe-inspiring lions at Trafalgar square, take in the ritualistic changing of the guard, experience the whispering gallery at St. Paul's and if you're lucky - you may even spot the Queen! 

In this ode to Britain's bright and bustling capital city, Salvatore Rubbino's fresh, lively paintings and breezy text capture the delight of a young visitor experiencing the wonders of London firsthand. And of course, what's London without a little rain? It is visually stunning, evoking all the colour and excitement of the capital from a child's perspective. It is packed with nuggets of information about London that both enlighten and entertain. It is a delight both to those who know London well and to those who have never visited."


Olympic Activities to share with your children - Click here for LINK  Even though this was written during the Beijing 2008 Olympics, it still has some great ideas like create an edible Olympic torch by scooping lemon sorbet onto a pointed sugar cone and top with flame colored sprinkles.