Inspirational Sports Books

The True Story of the Oldest Person to Ever Run a Marathon.

Every step forward is a victory. Fauja Singh was born determined. He was also born with legs that wouldn't allow him to play cricket with his friends or carry him to school miles from his village in Punjab. But that didn't stop him. Working on his family's farm, Fauja grew stronger to meet his own full potential. He never stopped striving. At the age of 81, after a lifetime of making his body, mind, and heart stronger, Fauja decided to run his first marathon. He went on to break records all around the world and became the first person over 100 to complete the grueling long-distance race. With inspiring text by Simran Jeet Singh and exhilarating illustrations by Baljinder Kaur, the true story of Fauja Singh reminds us that it's both where we start and how we finish that make our journeys unforgettable.

The fantastic memoir by Roger Bannister, the middle-distance runner who achieved the epic quest to break the four-minute mile! All sports have pivotal moments, single events that change perceptions forever after. For the sport of running such a moment passed on a blustery May afternoon in 1954, when Roger Bannister broke the four-minute mile. This is the story of that fantastic run. Today, more than sixty years later, lovers of sport - runners and non-runners alike - will be moved by this impassioned story of one of sport's true heroes.

Essential reading for an astounding summer of sport; If you’ve ever wondered what makes a champion, Bounce has the answer.

What are the real secrets of sporting success, and what lessons do they offer about life? Why doesn’t Tiger Woods “choke”? Why are the best figure skaters those that have fallen over the most and why has one small street in Reading produced more top table tennis players than the rest of the country put together.

THE GYPSY KING.
A Manchester lad from Irish Traveller stock, born three months premature and weighing just a pound at birth, Tyson (named after his father's boxing hero) grew up to become one of the most unlikely heavyweight champions in history. This 'dream come true' soon turned to nightmare, however, as alcohol and cocaine abuse took hold and Tyson was stripped of his titles. What followed was the darkest moment of his life - detailed in this book for the first time - in which he came within seconds of ending everything.

THE PEOPLE'S CHAMPION.
Like all the greatest stories, though, there is redemption and Tyson defies all the odds and literally drags himself to his feet. 10 million people around the globe watched Fury fight Wilder in the biggest fight of the boxing calendar. Speaking candidly about his struggles with mental health, this is Tyson Fury as you have never seen him before.

A tribute to our Black Athletes – This book will inspire you and your child.
A beautifully crafted collection of poetry and rhymes of Black Athletes who changed sport history and inspire us— but more importantly, a story of overcoming adversity and encouragement. Against all odds these Black athletes became the greatest players in history.
Learn the Life Lessons from the Greatest Black Athletes.

n 2011, Novak Djokovic had what has been called the greatest single season ever by a professional tennis player. He won ten titles, three Grand Slams and 43 consecutive matches. Remarkably, less than two years earlier, this champion could barely complete a tournament. How did a player once plagued by aches, breathing difficulties and injuries on court suddenly become the number-one tennis player in the world? The answer is astonishing: he changed what he ate.

Learn how TEN habits can help children to understand and manage their emotions and behaviour - the NEW book from the creator of the chimp management mind model and author of the million copy selling The Chimp Paradox, which helped many athletes, including the British Cycling Team and the Snooker Player Ronnie O'Sullivan.

My Hidden Chimp is an effective and powerful new educational book that offers parents, teachers and carers some ideas and thoughts on how to help children to develop healthy habits for life. The science behind the habits is discussed in a practical way with exercises and activities to help children think the habits through and start putting them into practice. The neuroscience of the mind is simplified for children to understand and then use to their advantage.

How do little kids become sporting superstars? Find out in this inspiring board book for little ones.
Everyone, from Usain Bolt to Simone Biles, was once a small child learning about the world. Read how a diverse array of sporty kids found what they loved to do, worked hard, and followed their passions all the way into adulthood. With adorable illustrations of top sports stars as typical young kids, then as superstar adults, sporting greats will seem like friends to your little one, and kids will see that sporting greatness is achievable

True Tales of Childhood from Sports Legends.

Kid Athletes tells true tales from the childhoods of a wide range of athletes. Did you know...Babe Ruth was so incorrigible he was sent to reform school at the age of seven. Historians now think the Babe may have suffered from attention deficit disorder, which contributed to his wild, hyperactive nature--and may have helped him develop his almost supernatural ability to hit a baseball. Mia Hamm was born with a club foot. She underwent multiple surgeries, had to wear special casts and corrective shoes until she was a toddler. She overcame her disability to become the most prolific goal scorer in the history of soccer. Muhammad Ali (aka Cassius Clay) learned how to fight after a thief stole his bicycle when he was twelve. When little Cassius vowed to whup the kid who'd swiped his wheels, a kindly police officer offered to give him boxing lessons. And a heavyweight legend was born.

Find Your Confidence and Dare to be Brilliant at (Almost) Anything.

I'm no good at sport ... I can't do maths ... I really struggle with exams ... Sound familiar?

If you believe you can't do something, the chances are you won't try. But what if you really could get better at maths, or sport or exams? In fact, what if you could excel at anything you put your mind to?

You Are Awesome can help you do just that, inspiring and empowering young readers to find the confidence to realise their potential.

With a sock full of rags for a ball, Pelé honed his skills in a poor neighbourhood in Brazil. He believed that, one day, he would lead his country to World Cup victory – and he was right! With Pelé and his super skills on the team, Brazil lifted the trophy three times. Today, he is widely regarded as the greatest footballer who ever lived – and a hero off the pitch, too, using his voice to help the people who need it most.

Know the score with the ultimate guide to the world of sport. This best-selling reference title for children keeps your eye on the ball through a history of sport and a ticket to the greatest games around.

The Children's Book of Sport covers everything from the beautiful game to sports you never knew existed - as well as everything in between. Dynamic photography showcases solo sports, team sports, target sports, racket sports, water sports, combat sports, horse sports, extreme sports, and track and field events. Eye-catching fact boxes highlight key information from sporting rules and regulations, as well as essential tactics and techniques. The world's celebrated sporting stars are profiled, together with a special section on the Olympic and Paralympic Games, from ancient Greece to modern-day competitions.

In a league of its own, The Children's Book of Sport is a total masterclass for young sports enthusiasts. Are you ready to play?

Explore more than 50 sports from around the world.

Sportopedia is your ultimate guide to the exhilarating world of sport. Learn amazing facts about all your favourite sports, and discover new ones you may not have come across before, like kabaddi and boccia. Whether you're into team sports, target sports, track and field, or aquatic sports, this book showcases a diverse array of athletes – male, female, able-bodied and Paralympians – and celebrates the unique talents of sportspeople everywhere, making it a treasure trove for all the family to share.

Do you think you know everything there is to know about football?

Have you heard of ...
* The psychic octopus who could predict the winner?
* The Lancashire Lasses who became football's best kept secret?
* The dog detective who saved the World Cup trophy?
* The superstar footballer who never actually played football?

Discover the most incredible, sometimes ridiculous, and always completely unbelievable football stories you never knew. From bestselling author Matt Oldfield, this is Unbelievable Football - true tales from the world's favourite game where there's everything to play for and anything can happen.

From the moment his father gave four-year-old Ayrton Senna a go-kart, he was in love with racing. Showing promise from an early age, Ayrton would go on to take the Formula One world by storm, winning championship after championship and becoming one of the greatest drivers in the sport’s history. Off the track, he championed education for the underprivileged in Brazil, his home country. This inspiring book features stylish and quirky illustrations and extra facts at the back, including a biographical timeline with historical photos and a detailed profile of the superstar driver’s life.