Given that we have been watching the Olympics whenever we can, a little here and some more there, I decided to bring you a list of great Olympics books. There is something here for everyone – from the littlest readers to older readers as well, some fiction and non-fiction too. Plus, since it is the XXXIII Olympics, I have 33 Olympics books for you across this post.

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This post goes towards Top Ten Tuesday hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl.

Great Olympics Books for Everyone

For the Younger Readers

Backyard Olympics

Caillou: Backyard Olympics is part of the Caillou book series. Caillou was a favorite in our home when the kids were younger and I still can sing the words to the theme song! Adorable! (3 – 6 years)

Curious George and the Summer Games

If you love(d) the Curious George show, you will love Curious George and the Summer Games as you read about George figuring out the game he wants to be a part of in his town’s summer games. So not really the Olympics, but kind of! (4 – 7 years)

Dream Big, Little Pig

I read another book in this series (It’s a Big World, Little Pig!) and Kristy Yamaguchi’s Dream Big, Little Pig is just as adorable. (3 – 7 years)

Dream Big

Deloris Jordan’s Dream Big: Michael Jordan and the Pursuit of Excellence with art by Barry Root is inspiring and heartwarming as it tells the story Jordan’ journey to the Olympics. Note: Deloris is his mother! (4 – 8 years, and up)

Flying High

Flying High: The Story of Gymnastics Champion Simone Bile by Michelle Meadows & illustrated by Ebony Glenn is delightful and inspiring. Told in rhyming text with beautiful illustrations, this is sure to enchant and engage young readers (4 – 8 years, and up)

G is for Gold Medal: An Olympics Alphabet

I love themed alphabet books and G is for Gold Medal: An Olympics Alphabet by Brad Herzog & Doug Bowles is a brilliantly rendered (in content and art) Olympics book! More in the series to enjoy as well (6 – 9 years)

How to Train with a T. Rex and Win 8 Gold Medals

Michael Phelps co-authored How to Train with a T. Rex and Win 8 Gold Medals with sportswriter Alan Abrahamson, and Ward Jenkins illustrated it. The book is adorable, informative, and so much fun. (4 – 8 years)

Long-Armed Ludy and the First Women’s Olympics

Jean L. S. Patrick’s Long-Armed Ludy and the First Women’s Olympics is a look at an Olympic athlete many of us don’t know about. Inspiring and this is one of the main reasons I love picture books. (6 – 9 years)

The Magic Treehouse: Hour of the Olympics

My kids loved The Magic Treehouse series by Mary Pope Osbourne and I recall reading this one to them as well – The Magic Treehouse: Hour of the Olympics (6 – 9 years)

Nadia: The Girl Who Couldn’t Sit Still

I recall watching a movie based on Nadia Comaneci’s life when I was a kid and being so awed by her! Karlin Gray’s Nadia: The Girl Who Couldn’t Sit Still with stunning and whimsical illustrations from Christine Davenier can easily score a perfect 10 just like Nadia! (6 – 9 years)

Olympig!

Victoria Jamieson’s Olympig! is oh-so-adorable-and-fun!! (3 – 8 years)

A Picture Book of Jesse Owens

Jesse Owens was a force to reckon with and A Picture Book of Jesse Owens aptly captures his story with accessible text and lifelike illustrations. Now I am off to read the rest of the books in this amazing series by David Adler. (4 – 8 years)

Sakamoto’s Swim Club

Julie Abery’s Sakamoto’s Swim Club: How a Teacher Led an Unlikely Team to Victory with really cute illustrations by Chris Sasaki tells the inspiring story of a teacher who coached Hawaiian swimmers to Olympic victory. (5 – 8 years)

She Persisted in Sports

Chelsea Clinton’s She Persisted in Sports is a perfect accompaniment to other She Persisted books. Alexandra Boiger’s lively and sweet artwork adds to the inspiring narrative that shows readers that persistence pays off, no matter what. (4 – 8 years)

Sixteen Years in Sixteen Seconds

Author Paula Yoo and illustrator Dom Lee team up to tell us the inspirational and little-known story of Dr. Sammy Lee in this cleverly titled Sixteen Years in Sixteen Seconds. Read it! (6 – 10 years)

Swimming Toward a Dream

I absolutely love Reem Faruqi’s books and this one proved to be no exception – I loved Swimming Toward a Dream: Yusra Mardini’s Incredible Journey from Refugee to Olympic Swimmer. I have read Yusra’s story before and knew of that incredible journey. Asma Enayeh’s artwork is simply perfect for Faruqi’s lyrical narrative. ( 4 – 8 years)

Touch the Sky

Another unknown Olympic athlete’s story that I discovered thanks to this picture book! Touch the Sky: Alice Coachman, Olympic High Jumper by Ann Malaspina and illustrated by Eric Velasquez tells the inspiring story of how Alice Coachman became the first African American woman to win a gold medal at the Olympics. (4 – 8 years)

Unbeatable Betty

Check out my review of Unbeatable Betty in this earlier post. She was unbeatable indeed. (4 – 8 years)

Wilma Unlimited

My review for Wilma Unlimited: How Wilma Rudolph Became the World’s Fastest Woman is here. (5 – 9 years)

Books for Readers 8 Years and Up

Asterix at the Olympic Games

Are you a fan of the Asterix comics? I am, and have been for ages, since I first read them as a little girl! It is hard to say who my favorite character is, so I will just say – everyone! So of course, I had to include Asterix at the Olympic Games in this list!! (10 years and up)

The Boys in the Boat (Young Readers adaptation)

I started reading the original version of this book but had to stop due to various reasons. I am now reading the Young Readers adaptation of The Boys in the Boat, and it is a must-read! (10 years and up)

Kid Olympians

I have read many books in this series, and like the others, Kid Olympians (Summer edition) is a stunning resource for children as they learn about the childhood stories of these Olympic legends. (8 – 12 years, and up)

The Most Incredible Olympic Stories of All Time for Young Readers

Jordan Anders brings The Most Incredible Olympic Stories of All Time for Young Readers with tales of 20 inspiring athletes, from Michael Phelps and Simone Biles to Paavo Nurmi and Bonnie Blair. Each athlete’s chapter includes their story, fun facts, and more. (9 years, and up)

Mr. Lemoncello’s Library Olympics

I love Mr. Lemoncello! And like the other books in this series, Chris Grabenstein’s Mr. Lemoncello’s Library Olympics does not fail to entertain! (8 – 11 years, and up)

The Olympics: Ancient to Modern

Joe Fullman’s The Olympics: Ancient to Modern is comprehensive and accessible, and great for middle-grade readers (and older too!). With facts that span the ages, the different Olympics (Summer, Winter, Paralympics), events, and athletes, this will enrich your Olympic knowledge. (9 – 14 years, and up)

The Story of the Olympic Games

The Story of the Olympic Games is the “first and only official children’s book on the Olympics—created in association with the Olympic Museum in Lausanne.” The book does a great job of introducing its young readers to the history of the games with easily digestible content. (8 years and above)

Yes, I Can!

Yes, I Can!: The Story of the Jamaican Bobsled Team is the inspiring story of the Jamaican bobsled team’s journey to the Olympics. Authored by Devon Harris (one of the team mates) and illustrated by Ricardo Cortes, this book is sure to fill you with hope to fulfill your dreams, however impossible they seem. (8 – 10 years, and up)

You Wouldn’t Want to Be a Greek Athlete

You Wouldn’t Want to Be a Greek Athlete! is part of a series for young readers and this book shows the perspective of a young athlete growing up in Athens with parental expectations of being a Olympian! High hopes.. and this book meets those expectations in both Michael Ford’s narrative and David Antram’s vibrant and zany illustrations. (8 – 12 years, and up)

Then the Rest

I am yet to read most of the books in this section but I have read of the people portrayed in the first two, and read part of the last two. So I know I will love these reads.

Don’t Tell Me You’re Afraid

Giuseppe Catozzella’s Don’t Tell Me You’re Afraid translated by Anne Milano Appel is based on the remarkable true story of Samia Omar, a Somalian refugee who risked everything to be a part of the Olympics. Her story is heart-wrenching and inspiring and an eye opener.

Fast Girls

Elise Hooper’s Fast Girls: A Novel of the 1936 Women’s Olympic Team is a must-read in my opinion based on everything it is. From the book description: “Acclaimed author Elise Hooper explores the gripping, real life history of female athletes, members of the first integrated women’s Olympic team, and their journeys to the 1936 summer games in Berlin, Nazi Germany. Perfect for readers who love untold stories of amazing women, such as The Only Woman in the Room, Hidden Figures, and The Lost Girls of Paris.“

How to Watch the Olympics

David Goldblatt and Johnny Acton’s How to Watch the Olympics: The Essential Guide to the Rules, Statistics, Heroes, and Zeroes of Every Sport is described as “the must-have guide to the Summer Olympic Games,” and from what I have read so far, it certainly fits the bill! You will learn lots more about the games when you read this, especially in the realm of, as the title says, How to Watch the Olympics!

The Naked Olympics

The Naked Olympics: The True Story of the Ancient Games by Tony Perrottet will offer readers a front row ticket to the ancient Olympics. And not just the games, but a look into much more surrounding the games. It has been a fascinating read for me so far (and I am just a few pages into this one)

Total Olympics

Jeremy Fuchs’ Total Olympics: Every Obscure, Hilarious, Dramatic, and Inspiring Tale Worth Knowing is exactly what it states it is!

And Now, the End of This Post

Dear reader, which of these books would you pick first? Which ones have you read among these? Any other Olympic recommendations? Do let me know. And last, but not the least, are you watching the Olympics? Which are your favorite events ?