On Your Marks, Get Set, Gold! A Fact-Filled, Funny Guide to Every Olympic Sport

Publisher: Nosy Crow

Did you know that in water polo, one type of foul is called a “brutality” and players who commit fouls spend time in a “sin bin”? Or that beards and moustaches are banned in boxing? What about the fact that the Paralympics added a version of volleyball called sitting volleyball in 1980 for men and in 2004 for women?

Organised into seven sections (Having a Ball, Taking Aim, Splashing Around, Fighting Fit, Pushing the Limits, Making a Racket and Riding High), this amusing and interesting book is a great place to start for primary school age children interested in learning more about the great variety of Olympic and Paralympic sports, from Judo to Artistic Gymnastics and everything inbetween.

Scott Allen, author of the Llama United books, presents a number of facts about each sport on each double-page spread, with an amusing tone, meaning that the subject is interesting and never dry. It’s also a lovely, large format hardback, so perfect as a gift or in a school library too.

Take our quiz: How much do you know about the Olympics?

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