G is for Gold Medal: An Olympics Alphabet
Brag Herzog
Illustrated by Doug Bowles
Nonfiction Picture Book
For ages 6 to 11
Sleeping Bear Press, 2011, 978-1-58536-462-6
Long ago in ancient
Greece, wars between the city-states were a common occurrence. The only time
peace could be guaranteed was every four years, when the citizens of the
city-states would lay down their arms for a month and come together to compete
as athletes. The games were hosted in the town of Olympia, and the men who won
the races and other events were given an olive wreath to wear.
The modern Olympic
Games came into being because Baron Pierre de Coubertin felt that the “a modern
version of the Olympic Games would foster peace between nations.” Because of
his efforts, there has been a summer Olympic Games every four years since 1896
except in 1916, 1940, and 1944, which were, ironically, all years when the
world was being torn apart by war.
In this fascinating
fact-packed alphabet book, Brag Herzog tells us about the Olympic Games from A
to Z. Beginning with Ancient Greece on the A page, he goes on to tells us about
Baron Pierre de Coubertin on the B page. On the “C is for all the countries
page,” we learn that in 2008 two hundred countries sent athletes to the Summer
Olympics. Next is D for decathlete. On this page, we learn that for two days decathletes
who up to the daunting task compete in ten events. These events include shot
put, long jump, high jump, and running.
For each of the
topics explored in this book, the author gives us a poem that introduces the
subject. He supplements this with a more in-depth section of text. Young
children will enjoy the hearing the poems and looking at the art, while older
readers will be interested in reading the longer text sections. This format
makes this book suitable for readers of all ages, from age 6 and up.
This is one of the
titles in a series of alphabet books published by Sleeping Bear Press.
