Elympics
Kindergarten-Grade 3 A fine collection of 13 short poems on various major events in both the Summer and Winter Olympics, illustrated with a wonderful team of elephant athletes. Basic facts about the games are included in a note at the back. The emphasis in the poems is on good sportsmanship, the value of practice and teamwork, trying your best and persevering, etc. Each selection merits a double-page watercolor-and-pencil illustration, that shows the competitors engaging in athletic endeavors with elephantine grace there are even elephant clouds looking down on the superstars. Sprinters, skiers, skaters, and gymnasts all have their moments of glory. The cover art shows the Olympic torch being lit in Greece, and the two sections (Summer and Winter) each begin with a picture of a runner taking the flame up the path to the stadium. A perfect introduction to the Games for the very young. Judith Constantinides, East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LACopyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.