The Gymnastics Book: The Young Performer's Guide to Gymnastics (Young Performer's Guide) [Library Binding]

Elfi Schlegel (Author), Claire Ross Dunn (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up | Series: Young Performer's Guides

This indispensable guide is simply the best book for beginners to the sport of artistic gymnastics. Illustrated with stunning full-color photographs of gymnasts swinging, balancing, tumbling and jumping, The Gymnastics Book features skilled guidance from a medal-winning athlete who is now a noted instructor. The topics covered in detail include finding a good gymnastics club, qualities to look for in a coach, warm-up and cool-down exercises, moving into competitive gymnastics, managing victories and losses, the importance of family and friends, nutrition and apparel, financial aspects, and a typical day in the life of a competitive gymnast.

The book is also filled with anecdotes and advice from Olympic stars, taking beginners behind the scenes and offering a no-holds-barred account of the life of a competitive gymnast.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-6-An excellent book in every way. The early chapters cover reasons to choose this sport and emphasize how its development of strength, flexibility, basics, and fitness will help readers excel in all other athletic pursuits and activities. There is a good section about getting started, choosing a club, and finding an instructor. The skills section is the biggest portion of the book, covering almost 60 pages and including lots of full-color photos. The pages on competition feature Olga Korbut, Nadia Comaneci, Mary Lou Retton, and Vitaly Scherbo. Information on the importance of family and friends, the financial aspects, a typical day in the life of a competitive gymnast (Kim Zmeskal-Burdette), and two pages from a journal showing an average competitive training schedule are evidence of how complete this book is. Men's events are covered, too, with a glimpse at one of the few African-American males in the sport, Curtis Hibbert. Schlegel, an Olympic medalist, mentions what it's like to win and lose and the signs of real success. Best of all, the book is accessible to early readers. Superb coverage of a popular sport.
Kate Kohlbeck, Randall School, Waukesha, WI
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 4-6, younger for reading aloud. This introduction to gymnastics, with its colorful photos and pleasing layout, is very eye-catching. But there is also plenty of information to go along with the clean design; Schlegel was an Olympic-level gymnast, and the text projects her authority. She provides a wealth of information on everything from choosing a club or facility to eating right to getting started in the basic moves. The advice is friendly but firm: "It is just as important for the once-a-week gymnast to practice good nutrition as it is for the competitive athlete pursuing the Olympic dream." The treatment is rounded out with "Elfi's scrapbook," and some realistic talk for those who may be aiming for serious competitive gymnastics. A glossary and Web sites appended. An excellent introduction to the sport. Denise Wilms
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Library Binding: 128 pages
• Publisher: Firefly Books (March 3, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1552094146
• ISBN-13: 978-1552094143
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 8.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #547,635 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #14 in Books > Children's Books > Sports & Games > Sports > Gymnastics

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Almost nothing for/about boy's/men's gymnastics, January 5, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: The Gymnastics Book: The Young Performer's Guide to Gymnastics (Young Performer's Guide) (Paperback)

Nice book, but do not be misled by info in reviews here - there is almost nothing on men's competitions or male competitors. I originally purchased it for my nephew, but found that all of the photos of young competitors were little girls.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great For Beginners, February 2, 2003

By 

StarGymnast (California, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Gymnastics Book: The Young Performer's Guide to Gymnastics (Young Performer's Guide) (Paperback)

A wonderful book for those who want to or have just started gymnastics, this book will guide you and makes a great introduction to gymnastics. The book was written Elfi Schlegal, a former Olympian, and has many full-color photographs of famous gymnasts and young gymnasts performing basic gymnastics skills. Some things this book talks about are getting started, finding a gymnastics club, what to look for in a coach, eating healthy, conditioning and warm-up excercises, different gymnastics skills, competitive gymnastics, and much more. Many tips and quotes from famous gymnasts are also in this book, too. This book is a wonderful choice for all beginning gymnasts, and a very wise purchase.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book !!, August 31, 2003

By 

Ana Fung (San Antonio, Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Gymnastics Book: The Young Performer's Guide to Gymnastics (Young Performer's Guide) (Library Binding)

I really recommend all parents and children to read this
book whether they are involved or not in gymnastics. It
tells you everything there is to know about the world of
recreational and competitive gymnastics. It also motivates
kids to stay fit,healthy,and doing their best in any aspect
of life. It also informs parents the benefits of hard work
and discipline on children .