25 Inspiring Picture Books to Celebrate the Summer Olympics

Written in free verse, Touch the Sky shares the story of Alice Coachman, the first black woman to win a gold medal in the Olympics. As a young girl in Georgia in the 1930s, Alice and her friends created their own crossbar to practice the high jump when she was excluded from competing with the boys. After finding success as a jumper, Alice left behind her life of picking cotton and fruit to support her family, heading out to compete around the country. She went on to compete in the 1948 London Olympic Games, where she broke records and blazed a path for black women.

Little readers with lots of energy will quickly relate to feisty Nadia, who’s always finding a new tree to climb and accidentally getting in trouble. To channel her boundless energy, Nadia’s mom signed her up for gymnastics—a decision that would eventually lead to Olympic history! The story follows the Romanian gymnast’s childhood and her legendary first Olympic Games in 1976, where she became the first to earn a perfect score and the youngest gymnast to win a gold medal. With bright watercolor illustrations, this story springs off the page and is sure to delight any aspiring gymnasts.

As the first Native American to win a gold medal, Jim Thorpe is remembered for his groundbreaking Olympic feats and his athletic versatility—he played football, baseball, and basketball professionally. This touching biography follows Jim’s difficult childhood and the many obstacles he faced on his path to victory. Written and illustrated by Native Americans, this book uses the terminology, “American Indian,” that was used during Thorpe’s life, opening an opportunity to discuss the shifting use and meaning of words and their power in human experience.

Olympian sprinter Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce shares her story of becoming one of the fastest women in the world. As a child, Shelly-Ann ran everywhere and soon began competing against other girls—and winning! With the support of her community, she earned a spot on the Jamaican Olympic team and realized her success embodied a promise she made to herself and her family to always be herself and run to be free. Bonus: Rhyming patterns make for a literacy-boosting read!

This sweet story written by Olympian Laurie Hernandez follows a little girl taking her first gymnastics class. Zoe can’t wait to fly through the air like the birds outside her window until she falls off the balance beam, bruising her body and pride. She never wants to get back on the beam, but her family reminds her that making mistakes is part of learning. This book is a great way to talk with your kids about failure in sports—and the importance of getting back up to try again! (A life lesson that’s key in learning to read, too.)

Award-winning author Carole Boston Weatherford introduces young readers to Jesse Owens in this free-verse story that follows the track-and-field icon’s Olympic career. With accompanying pastel illustrations, the book powerfully depicts Owens’ journey at the infamous 1936 Berlin Olympics and the obstacles he faced as a black athlete in the early 20th century. The end of the book includes a brief biography of Owens, with additional historical information about Nazi Germany at the time of the Berlin Games and segregation in the U.S.rnrnNote: This book includes multiple references to Hitler, the racism Owens faced as a black athlete, and two pages with depictions of concentration camps. While none of the images or descriptions are graphic, these are important topics to note before reading with younger readers and could be an excellent way to spark conversations with your kids as you read about this legendary athlete.

Your kids will love diving into the impressive life of Duke Kahanamoku through Ellie Crowe’s words and Richard Waldrep’s immersive illustrations. An Olympic swimmer and the “Father of Modern Surfing,” Kahanamoku was the first Hawaiian to compete in the Olympics and went on to win five medals after his first Games in 1912 in Stockholm. The swimmer popularized the Hawaiian sport of surfing and broke segregation barriers through his athletic feats. Though its length is better suited for older readers, the book’s bright illustrations will attract all ages.

A recent release, this cheerfully illustrated story also takes readers to Hawaii for the little-known history of a swim coach who led his team to Olympic gold. After noticing the children of sugar plantation workers swimming in the nearby irrigation ditches, a local science teacher takes them under his wing to coach them. Written in spare rhyme, this inspiring story captures the impact we can have on each other.

“No one really knows how Ludy’s arms got so long,” begins Long-Armed Ludy, but they took her to the first Women’s Olympics in 1922 in Paris, France. The story takes readers along Ludy’s journey to compete in the shot put event with detailed illustrations and charming storytelling. Don’t miss this inspiring story of a little-known piece of Olympic history.

A New Voices Award winner, Sixteen Years in Sixteen Seconds shares the inspiring story of Sammy Lee, the first Asian American to win the James E. Sullivan Award for being the most outstanding amataeur athlete in the country. As a boy, Sammy’s first introduction to swimming was watching children at the white-only pool from the other side of the fence. As an Asian American, he was only allowed to enter the pool on Wednesdays. This early childhood experience sparked his desire to not only swim like the other kids, but go on to become an Olympian.

While Sammy experienced discrimination at school, he found a home in diving and competed in his first Olympics in 1948 at age 28, where he won a gold medal after earning a perfect score. This powerful story will inspire the Olympic hopefuls in your life and start important conversations about discrimination. 

Flying High shares the inspiring story of Simone Biles with a rhyming word pattern, starting with her childhood in foster care and following her rise to gymnastics legend. The book highlights the obstacles in her path—noting the times she didn’t make a team or messed up her routine—alongside her success, providing a great opportunity to talk about the importance of determination and not letting failures or challenges stop you from trying again.

Wilma Rudolph was a fighter from birth. Born at just over four pounds, Wilma was prone to illness throughout her childhood, eventually contracting scarlet fever and polio at the age of five—a devastating prognosis for an energetic young girl. But Wilma didn’t stop moving, eventually returning to school after learning to walk with a brace. Wilma’s miraculous recovery led her to the Olympic Games, where she ran and medaled in the 1960 Games in Rome.

At 18, Muhammad Ali won a gold medal at the 1960 Summer Olympics, launching his legendary boxing career. In this Kirkus-starred book, author Jonah Winter employs punchy typography and grandiose storytelling to introduce young readers to The Greatest and his historic life.

G is for Gold Medal is the perfect way to practice the alphabet while learning about the history and traditions of the Olympics. Each letter is accompanied by bright, full-page illustrations and stories. Young listeners will enjoy practicing letters and exploring the pictures, while the wordier stories are perfect for older kids wanting to learn more about the Games. With alliterations like “H for High Jumps” and “P for Paralympic Athletes,” this clever alphabet book explores Olympian legends, famous moments throughout history, sports included at the Games, and more for a thorough introduction to everything Olympics.

This illustrated chapter book introduces young readers to the Paralympic Games. Learn about their founder, Dr. Ludwig Guttmann, and his vision to host sports competitions for his patients with disabilities, many of them wounded in World War II. Soon his games attracted global attention and led to the modern-day Paralympic Games. This book teaches readers about the early history of these games, notable athletes, and historic moments.

Join everyone’s favorite monkey on his latest adventure: practicing for the local summer Games! George discovers new sports like badminton, the long jump, and relay racing. After trying—and failing—to flip over hurdles and learn volleyball, he finds his sweet spot on the balance beam. Soon George is competing with the other gymnasts, cartwheeling and cheering his teammates on to victory. This lighthearted story encourages teamwork and trying new sports.

While this picture book does not feature the Olympics, it was written by an Olympian! Introduce your children to Ibtihaj Muhammad, the first American Muslim woman to compete in a hijab at the Olympics and medal, through her vibrant story of a little girl celebrating her sister’s hijab.

Usain Bolt is an excellent book for young children, focusing on the life of sprinter Usain Bolt, the fastest man in the world. Part of the Little People, Big Dreams series of books, it shares Bolt’s journey from a young boy in Jamaica to a world champion. The straightforward narrative by Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara is accessible and engaging, effectively showing how dedication and hard work can lead to success. It’s a motivating read for kids, encouraging them to dream big and work hard. It’s such a fun book, your child might read it as quickly as Usain runs!

Explore Kid Olympians: Summer: True Tales of Childhood from Champions and Game Changers with your child and discover the youthful challenges faced by now-legends like Usain Bolt, Simone Biles, and Michael Phelps. You’ll also read about a myriad of others, such as 20-time Paralympic medalist Tatyana McFadden, who competes in a wheelchair. This book from the Kid Legends series shows how determination and resilience shaped these athletes into champions. It also shows that they were real kids once upon a time, with tidbits such as the fact that young Bolt sometimes skipped practices to go to the video arcade. Perfect for sharing inspiring stories, it’s a fun way to bring the Olympics to life. Dive into these tales and watch your kids dream big, just like their favorite Olympians! Who knows? They just might find a new sport to love!

The first year women were allowed to compete in track and field at the Olympics was 1928. A 16-year-old girl named Betty Robinson had just gotten off a boat in Amsterdam, ready to prove just how fast women could be. In this awe-inspiring story, Betty becomes a gold-medal-winning Olympian. She is celebrated across the world, but soon has a tragic accident that leaves her unable to walk. Betty’s spirit, however, is as the title suggests—unbeatable. She learns new ways to run and returns to the Olympics in 1936 to earn another gold medal! Unbeatable Betty: Betty Robinson, the First Female Olympic Track & Field Gold Medalist is great for anyone who has dealt with setbacks in life and needs a boost of encouragement to see that great things are still possible.

If you’ve heard of basketball, then you’ve heard of Michael Jordan. But not everyone knows that besides being an NBA superstar (or should we say the NBA superstar?), he was also an Olympic gold medalist, fulfilling a childhood dream. Dream Big: Michael Jordan and the Pursuit of Olympic Gold offers a unique glimpse into the upbringing of a sports legend, highlighting the values of hard work and dedication. Jordan’s mother Deloris shares relatable stories about nurturing her son’s dreams, all the way from backyard games through Olympic greatness. This makes it especially compelling for parents watching their own children chase big aspirations.

Get ready for one of wildest Olympic stories you have ever heard! The 1904 marathon at the World’s Fair and America’s First Olympics in St. Louis became notorious for its extreme conditions and bizarre occurrences, including intense heat, a dusty route, and a series of strange mishaps that befell competitors. The Wildest Race Ever: The Story of the 1904 Olympic Marathon provides an accessible and entertaining way for children to learn about a unique piece of Olympic history. Through lively illustrations and captivating storytelling, McCarthy captures the chaos and spirit of this unforgettable race, making it an excellent educational resource for young readers interested in history and sports. It’s a top contender for most-fun sports read!

This story by the award-winning author of Lailah’s Lunchbox is so incredible. Swimming Toward a Dream: Yusra Mardini’s Incredible Journey from Refugee to Olympic Swimmer details Mardini’s path from war-torn Syria to the Olympics. And what a path it was! She escaped from the conflict in her homeland, in part via a life-saving swim across the Aegean Sea, making it to safety and ultimately participating as a swimmer in the Refugee Olympic Team. Reem Faruqi’s book is an accessible way for children to learn about real-world issues like war, displacement, and the refugee experience, while also celebrating the achievements and hopeful tale of someone who overcame great obstacles to achieve her dreams. It’s a powerful story that can help foster empathy and understanding in young readers.

Part of the empowering She Persisted series, based on Chelsea Clinton’s picture book series, this book celebrates Florence Griffith Joyner (aka Flo-Jo), who set the record for the fastest woman of all time. In fact, in over 30 years, no one else has ever beaten her time! Author Rita Williams-Garcia details Joyner’s journey to becoming an Olympic legend known for her speed and style. Packed with engaging illustrations, this book is a top read to inspire young girls to shoot high and overcome challenges. A must-have for young readers eager to learn about perseverance and achieving greatness!

Have you ever thought about how an Olympic athlete gets their start? What makes them fall in love with a sport? In this sweet story, we learn straight from Paralympic gold medalist Claire Cashmore all about how she became a swimmer. Claire actually started off afraid of swimming, but, wanting to play with her sisters, she jumped in and discovered she loved it. In fact, the pool became her favorite place to be! This story can help inspire kids to overcome their fears and try new things.