My Book of Gymnastics: Health & Movement

A beginner's guide to the techniques of gymnastics, featuring simple exercises like stretching, balancing, bending, and jumping

Gr. 3-5, younger for reading aloud. This book provides an introduction to the sport of gymnastics, which has become increasingly popular with the success of American men and women in the Olympics. Wisely, Durrant concentrates on instructions for basic warm-up, stretching, and strengthening exercises rather than on competitive gymnastic events. Male and female children demonstrate good posture, walking, running, stretching, and balancing exercises, while photographs of champion athletes indicate what could be in store for those who train assiduously. The format is colorful and attractive, but, best of all, the children seem to be having fun. This could be just the inducement needed to lure a couch potato away from the TV and onto the mat. Sheilamae O'Hara