In the spirit of Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” campaign, these sports and exercise-related books encourage children to keep active and avoid obesity. Students will find inspiration in titles about their favorite teams, players, competitions, or forms of exercise. Whether they deliver information about dance, martial arts, bike riding, or organized sports such as baseball or basketball, many of the sets cover topics that youngsters will enjoy reading about and action photos that they’ll love to linger over.

Preschool-Grade 4

GILBERT , Sara. Boston Red Sox. ISBN 978-1-60818-260-2. LC 2011051187. ––––. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. ISBN 978-1-60818-265-7. LC 2011051184. ––––. New York Yankees. ISBN 978-1-60818-269-5. LC 2012004263. ––––. St. Louis Cardinals. ISBN 978-1-60818-271-8. LC 2012004265. ea vol: 24p. (World Series Champions Series). chron. glossary. index. photos. websites. Creative Education. 2013. PLB $25.65. Gr 2-4–Focusing on the baseball organizations that have played in the World Series, these titles provide chronologically organized information about the featured teams. Key players are introduced in a few sentences. Some unique features of the set are the chapters on how each team got its name. Fans will be disappointed to see that in the sections about each team’s stadium, the spread-size photos do not always depict a full scene or the park at all. Red Sox, for example, presents only a corner of the famous Fenway Park; Yankee and Cardinals show helicopter views of each team’s city, but not the stadiums themselves. Otherwise, the photos are interesting and full of action. Young fans who want to relish the particulars will only want to read the book that represents their favorite team. HOBLIN , Paul. Amazing Basketball. ISBN 978-1-61-473402-4. LC 2012946497. ––––. Amazing Football Records. ISBN 978-1-61-473403-1. LC 2012946498. ––––. Amazing Olympic Records. ISBN 978-1-61-473405-5. LC 2012946500. HOWELL , Brian. Amazing Auto Racing Records. ISBN 978-1-61-473400-0. LC 2012946495. ––––. Amazing Baseball Records. reprods. ISBN 978-1-61-473401-7. LC 2012946496. ––––. Amazing Hockey Records. ISBN 978-1-61-473404-8. LC 2012946499. ea vol: 32p. (Amazing Sports Records Series). charts. further reading. glossary. index. photos. websites. The Child’s World. 2013. PLB $27.07. Gr 3-5–Each book begins with a brief history of its featured competition or sport before launching into a random selection of feats. For example, Olympic highlights the “Oldest Olympic Swimming Medalists” (Dara Torres and William Robinson) as well as “Most Summer Olympic Medals” (Michael Phelps). Numerous competitors are given sufficient attention; report writers will appreciate this set over Raintree’s all-too-brief “Fantastic Sports Facts.” Large, attractive, captioned, color and black-and-white photographs and reproductions are surrounded by sidebars of trivia on each spread. Even though the nature of the set’s content will quickly date it (records are broken all the time), this series could be used to prompt conversation and/or further research. Select individual titles for sports that need representation in a collection. HURLEY , Michael. Baseball. ISBN 978-1-4109-5107-6; ISBN 978-1-4109-5114-4. ––––. Basketball. ISBN 978-1-4109-5104-5; ISBN 978-1-4109-5111-3. ––––. Football. ISBN 978-1-4109-5108-3; ISBN 978-1-4109-5115-1. ––––. Ice Hockey. ISBN 978-1-4109-5106-9; ISBN 978-1-4109-5113-7. ––––. Racing. ISBN 978-1-4109-5105-2; ISBN 978-1-4109-5112-0. ––––. Soccer. illus. ISBN 978-1-4109-5103-8; ISBN 978-1-4109-5110-6. ea vol: 32p. (Fantastic Sports Facts Series). further reading. glossary. index. photos. websites. Raintree. 2013. PLB $29.32; pap. $7.99. Gr 2-4–Hurley offers scattershot accounts of record-breaking trivia. Colorful photographs are of various sizes and shapes, creating a browsing or skimming effect to the facts. There is a six-question quiz as the final chapter. The statement at the conclusion of every book is: “Some of the answers can be found in this book, but you may have to find some yourself.” Only avid fans of the sport will want to glance at this random collection of facts. Disappointing.

MAURER , Tracy Nelson. Go-Kart Racing. ISBN 978-1-4296-9998-3. LC 2012033230. ––––. Stock Car Racing. ISBN 978-1-4296-9997-6. LC 2012033232. POLYDOROS , Lori. Drag Racing. ISBN 978-1-4296-9996-9. LC 2012028360. ––––. Indy Car Racing. ISBN 978-1-4296-9995-2. LC 2012028359. ea vol: 32p. (Blazers: Super Speed Series). diags. further reading. glossary. index. photos. websites. Capstone. 2013. PLB $25.99. Gr 3-5–Each book covers safety features and racing rules; prominent figures are only briefly mentioned, if at all. Sometimes the titles introduce science principles, such as Go-Kart, which touches on “wind resistance.” The color photos are large and numerous; one special feature of each volume is the first-rate, two-page, labeled photo diagram of each vehicle. Readers will find the large font and sentence structure simple and direct. Words are highlighted in bold, colored font for easy referral to the glossary, but they are also defined at the bottom of the pages. “Fast Fact” text boxes contain trivia and safety facts. This series is exciting and approachable enough to interest reluctant readers and ESL students.

ROYSTON , Angela. Ballet. ISBN 978-1-4109-4920-2; ISBN 978-1-4109-4925-7. LC 2012019128. ––––. Ballroom. ISBN 978-1-4109-4921-9; ISBN 978-1-4109-4926-4. LC 2012019139. ––––. Hip-Hop. ISBN 978-1-4109-4922-6; ISBN 978-1-4109-4927-1. LC 2012019141. ––––. Tap. ISBN 978-1-4109-4923-3; ISBN 978-1-4109-4928-8. LC 2012019143. ea vol: 32p. (Love to Dance Series). further reading. glossary. index. photos. websites. Raintree. 2013. PLB $29.32; pap. $7.99. Gr 2-4–This series brings various forms of dance to life with a large-font text and simple sentences. Every book provides a short survey that includes information about popular stars, techniques, specific clothing or shoes, and moves that readers can try. Each volume ends with encouragement for aspiring dancers to “Give It a Try!” While this series is not as detailed as Lerner’s “On the Radar: Dance” (2011), which is for older students, the coverage is rewarding for younger children. The series will bring new meaning to words that readers may have heard (“quickstep,” “Lindy Hop,” “freeze,” etc.), but not fully understood. Vocabulary words are highlighted and often defined in the text as well as the glossaries. Bright photographs add drama to the pages. Suitable for ESL learners.

TIECK , Sarah. Biking. ISBN 978-1-61783-560-5; ISBN 978-1-61480-707-0. LC 2012023908. ––––. Dancing. ISBN 978-1-61783-561-2; ISBN 978-1-61480-708-7. LC 2012025989. ––––. Hiking. ISBN 978-1-61783-562-9; ISBN 978-1-61480-709-4. LC 2012032934. ––––. Skateboarding. ISBN 978-1-61783-563-6; ISBN 978-1-61480-710-0. LC 2012032932. ––––. Swimming. ISBN 978-1-61783-564-3; ISBN 978-1-61480-711-7. LC 2012025968. ––––. Yoga. ISBN 978-1-61783-565-0; ISBN 978-1-61480-712-4. LC 2012032933. ea vol: 32p. (Move Your Body: A Kid’s Guide to Fitness Series). diags. glossary. index. photos. websites. ABDO. 2013. PLB $27.07; ebook $27.07. Gr 2-4–These books promote a variety of sports to encourage readers to exercise. Unfortunately, the approach is cursory at best. For example, in Dancing, there are no details about types of dances or techniques. Students should turn to Raintree’s “Love to Dance” series for more specifics on this activity. Many of the same words and definitions are repeated throughout the volumes, such as “muscle,” “energy,” and “flexible.” The set as a whole focuses more on fitness than on specific sports. In addition, many of the same facts are duplicated in the final “Healthy Body Files” sections. Five out of the texts (Yoga is the exception) use the same illustration and very similar language in the “Let’s Get Physical” chapter. However, the large font and simple sentence structure will aid new readers. Colorful photographs show children participating in each sport. Select specific titles only to fill gaps in a collection.

WOOD , Alix. Aikido. chart. ISBN 978-1-4777-0315-1; ISBN 978-1-4777-0385-4. LC 2012033061. ––––. Judo. diags. ISBN 978-1-4777-0318-2; ISBN 978-1-4777-0388-5. LC 2012035220. ––––. Jujitsu. chart. ISBN 978-1-4777-0317-5; ISBN 978-1-4777-0387-8. LC 2012026856. ––––. Karate. chart. ISBN 978-1-4777-0314-4; ISBN 978-1-4777-0384-7. LC 2012020634. ––––. Kung Fu. chart. diags. ISBN 978-1-4777-0319-9; ISBN 978-1-4777-0389-2. LC 2012030865. ––––. Tae Kwon Do. chart. diags. ISBN 978-1-4777-0316-8; ISBN 978-1-4777-0386-1. LC 2012028710. ea vol: 32p. (A Kid’s Guide to Martial Arts Series). further reading. glossary. index. maps. photos. websites. Rosen/PowerKids Pr. 2013. PLB $26.50; ebook $26.50. Gr 3-5–Each title begins with an account of the history and equipment used and then moves into describing warm-up exercises, techniques, and styles. Most titles extend the cultural learning with charts that show how to count in the language of the country where the sport originated (for example, Korean in Tae Kwon Do), and introduce phrases with a pronunciation guide. High-energy, color photographs of various sizes move readers through the pages. Both children and adults are pictured enjoying the sport. If a more detailed look at the individual sport of karate is needed, Oliver Press’s “Karate Made Simple” (2013) would be preferred. This broad series can update an aging collection.

Grades 5 & Up

ANDERSON, Josh. Los Angeles Clippers. ISBN 978-1-61570-511-5; ISBN 978-1-61570-510-8. ––––. Miami Heat. ISBN 978-1-61570-501-6; ISBN 978-1-61570-500-9. BERMAN , Ron. Los Angeles Lakers. ISBN 978-1-61570-503-0; ISBN 978-1-61570-502-3. BIRLE , Pete. Chicago Bulls. ISBN 978-1-61570-505-4; ISBN 978-1-61570-504-7. ––––. Minnesota Timberwolves. ISBN 978-1-61570-507-8; ISBN 978-1-61570-506-1. ––––. San Antonio Spurs. ISBN 978-1-61570-509-2; ISBN 978-1-61570-508-5. SKOGEN , J. M. Dallas Mavericks. ISBN 978-1-61570-513-9; ISBN 978-1-61570-512-2. ––––. Oklahoma City Thunder. ISBN 978-1-61570-515-3; ISBN 978-1-61570-514-6. ea vol: 47p. (On the Hardwood Series). photos. MVP Books. 2013. PLB $27.93; pap. $8.95. Gr 4-6–These titles offer histories of NBA teams, including information about changes within the franchise and well-known players. The lack of back matter limits the set’s use for report writers and classrooms trying to learn about the elements of nonfiction. However, established fans will pore over the energetic texts. For example, readers can learn about the San Antonio Spurs’s “Twin Towers,” David Robinson and Tim Duncan, and how they worked together toward a championship. Color photos (most of them action shots) illustrate the pages, and the simple, large font texts could draw in reluctant readers. News for the teams is current through 2012. CAIN , Patrick G. BMX Street. ISBN 978-1-4677-0751-0; ISBN 978-1-4677-0999-6. LC 2012020762. ––––. BMX Vert. ISBN 978-1-4677-0750-3; ISBN 978-1-4677-1000-8. LC 2012033888. ––––. Moto X Best Trick. ISBN 978-1-4677-0752-7; ISBN 978-1-4677-1001-5. LC 2012025602. ––––. Moto X Freestyle. ISBN 978-1-4677-0753-4; ISBN 978-1-4677-1002-2. LC 2012033889. ––––. Skateboarding Street. ISBN 978-1-4677-0749-7; ISBN 978-1-4677-1003-9. LC 2012029415. ––––. Skateboarding Vert. ISBN 978-1-4677-0748-0; ISBN 978-1-4677-1004-6. LC 2012027293. ea vol: 32p. (Extreme Summer Sports Zone Series). further reading. glossary. index. photos. websites. Lerner. 2013. PLB $26.60; ebook $19.95. Gr 4-6–Cain covers the gear and skills needed to compete in six high-interest sports and adds in a little history as well. Within these titles, there are slight shades of variation between the books about skateboarding, BMX riding, and Moto X. For example, BMX Vert explains that riders use ramps, while BMX Street describes a more rebellious attitude that riders have with respect to tricks. BMX Street explains injuries and the reason why not all riders in the photographs are using safety equipment such as helmets. The font of the main texts is tiny, and the color photos are sometimes too small to relay the adrenaline of the action-shots. Final chapters offer advice for taking skills to new levels and briefly highlight those who have become prominent in the activity. All books end on a variation of this admonishment: “Trying to copy moves shown online can be a quick way to get injured.” Volumes on these topics are published every year, and this set offers nothing new.

COHN , Jessica. Base Jumping . illus. maps. ISBN 978-1-4339-8818-9; ISBN 978-1-4339-8821-9. LC 2012037752. ––––. BMX. illus. ISBN 978-1-4339-8822-6; ISBN 978-1-4339-8825-7. LC 2012023553. ––––. Free Running. ISBN 978-1-4339-8826-4; ISBN 978-1-4339-8829-5. LC 2012037754. ––––. Mountain Climbing. ISBN 978-1-4339-8830-1; ISBN 978-1-4339-8833-2. LC 2012037837. ––––. Rodeo. maps. ISBN 978-1-4339-8838-7; ISBN 978-1-4339-8841-7. LC 2012037749. FLOUNDERS , Anne. Road Cycling. maps. ISBN 978-1-4339-8834-9; ISBN 978-1-4339-8837-0. LC 2012037750. ea vol: 48p. (Incredibly Insane Sports Series). charts. chron. further reading. glossary. index. photos. websites. Gareth Stevens. 2013. PLB $31.95; ebook $31.95. Gr 4-6–Centered around a theme of action-packed sports (some of which could be dangerous without proper precaution), these volumes draw upon science principles and introduce new vocabulary as well as information. Because many readers will not have experienced many of these sports, each title begins with a quick overview. “Test It!” text boxes mention a science principle and suggest simple experiments. For example, in Mountain Climbing, one sidebar explains how to determine the slope of a mountain using a protractor. Black-and-white photos, reproductions, and color action shots illustrate the spreads. Those that focus on language and jargon introduce popular phrases from each sport (short language quizzes help readers look for meaning in context), and final pages deliver charts and information about rick-taking stars. Children can expand their knowledge in these little-known areas by using this set. Consider purchasing if the  “Sports on the Edge!” series (Marshall Cavendish, 2011) is popular.

HAMILTON , S. L. America’s Cup. reprods. ISBN 978-1-61783-692-3; ISBN 978-1-61480-640-0. LC 201945702. ––––. Iditarod. maps. ISBN 978-1-61783-693-0; ISBN 978-1-61480-641-7. LC 2012945883. ––––. Indianapolis 500. ISBN 978-1-61783-694-7; ISBN 978-1-61480-642-4. LC 2012945884. ––––. Kentucky Derby. ISBN 978-1-61783-695-4; ISBN 978-1-61480-643-1. LC 201945885. ––––. Reno Air Races. diags. ISBN 978-1-61783-696-1; ISBN 978-1-61480-644-8. LC 201945703. ––––. Tour de France. maps. ISBN 978-1-61783-697-8; ISBN 978-1-61480-645-5. LC 201946021. ea vol: 32p. (Xtreme Races Series). glossary. index. photos. ABDO. 2013. PLB $27.07; ebook $27.07. Gr 4-6–After a short history of the individual race, the author launches into rules and traditions of the specific sport. The texts are attractively arranged around black-and-white and vibrant color photos. “Xtreme Fact” text boxes offer additional facts, e.g., “The Tour de France is also known as ‘The Big Loop.’” In each volume, a spread focuses on sports stars throughout history, and sometimes a spread is devoted to important animals or vehicles. For example, Kentucky Derby gives praise to famous horses and several jockeys; America’s Cup features well-known boats and skippers; and Iditarod praises the dogs as well as their mushers. In Tour de France, Lance Armstrong is mentioned along with the fact that “He was stripped of his wins in 2012 for drug use (doping).” Because it is difficult to find all this information gathered in one place, this set stands out and could be used for reports. NAKASHIMA , Maiko with the Japan Karate Federation . Etiquette, Equipment, and the Dojo. vol: 1. ISBN 978-1-934545-17-1. LC 2012033028. ––––. Punching, Kicking, and Blocking. vol: 2. ISBN 978-1-934545-18-8. LC 2012033029. ––––. Practice, Sparring, and Competition. vol: 3. ISBN 978-1-934545-19-5. LC 2012033030. ––––. Karate Origins and Expansion. vol: 4. ISBN 978-1-934545-16-4. LC 2012033031 . ea vol: 32p. (Karate Made Simple Series). charts. diags. glossary. index. photos. websites. Oliver. 2013. PLB $24.95. Gr 4-6 –Nakashima, with the Japan Karate Federation acting as a consultant, covers four different areas of karate in detail, including information on the basics, techniques, competition, and history. Japanese vocabulary words pepper the texts, such as “rei,” “tatami,” and “dojo,” and all are defined in the glossary and pronunciation chart at the back of each book. Readers who are new to the sport will appreciate the instructions on how to wear the traditional uniform or “gi,” while intermediate participants will turn to the volume on basic forms or drills. Colorful photographs in a variety of sizes break up the texts. Instructions for exercises, training, etc. are accompanied by step-by-step photos. Both children and adults are shown performing the activities. Text boxes highlight important facts, such as codes of conduct. This set will be useful for readers or report writers who have some background knowledge but want to learn more.

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Three series rate distinction. ABDO’s “Xtreme Races” is a strong overview of competitions seldom covered in children’s books. Gareth Stevens’s “Incredibly Insane Sports” grabs the interest of young readers by dramatically describing many activities that children have probably never tried or witnessed. Finally, PowerKids’s “A Kid’s Guide to Martial Arts” is an attractive survey of six forms of self-defense or popular exercises.