Fun fact: In Great Britain, the word “sport” is not followed by an “s”. So here the book is called 100 things you should know about sports, but in the USA it is 100 things you should know about sports. What you can learn when you write for GeekDad!
It is a good thing that I am not representing Great Britain at the Reading Olympiad, because I was sure that the press release for 100 things you should know about sports said the film was released in August. In fact, it was July – just in time to capture the imagination of children who wanted to watch the sporting festival of the Olympic Games.
The Olympic Games are almost over, and it’s been a celebration. If you and your family followed the Games and were inspired by Leon Marchand, Noah Lyles, Keely Hodgkinson or any (or all) of the great athletes in France, then this book from Usborne is sure to keep the excitement alive. It will also certainly whet your appetite for the next sporting spectacle in Paris, the Paralympics, which begin on August 28th.
what is 100 things you should know about sports?
Usborne’s 100 Things You Should Know series has now reached double figures. It’s an excellent series, with each book containing brief information on the subject, accompanied by lively illustrations to engage young readers from around the age of 7.
The book is not specifically related to the Olympics and its events, as it covers all sorts of sports information, from entry 1, which looks at what exactly is considered a sport, to entry 100, which looks at the sport’s greats whose numbers have been retired. Along the way, we learn about why moustache hair can slow down your swimming time, about hockey fans who have to come out of the stands to support their team, and about a Japanese man who took 50 years to finish a marathon.
As a Brit, “Thing” 68 blew me away. The ball is only in play for 11 minutes in an NFL game. No wonder I don’t understand the appeal!
Why read 100 things you should know about sports?
I’ve only told you four of the topics covered in this book, and you’re already dying to know the answers and no doubt 96 other fascinating things about the world of sports.
If you have a child who loves sports, this is the perfect book for them, whether they’re an avid player or just a spectator like me. (I’ve been an Olympics fan since 1980, so since I was a kid, and I always watch as many games as I can.) The text is engaging, as are the infographic-style illustrations. There’s nothing not to like, and I’m very tempted to pick up some of the other titles in the series based on the strength of this volume.
If you have a copy of 100 things you should know about sports, You can do this here in the US and here in the UK. (Affiliate links)
If you liked this review, check out my other book reviews.
I received a copy of this book to write this review.
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