What Athletes Are Made Of (Hardcover)

by Hanoch Piven (Author, Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal
Grade 2-6–Twenty-three competitors, ranging from the celebrated (Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan, Joe DiMaggio) to the less familiar (Diego Maradona, Michael Schumacher, Annika Sorenstam) are presented on colorful spreads. Each one is introduced with a phrase that reflects the book's title and highlights a defining characteristic (e.g., for Wayne Gretzky, Athletes are made of brains over brawn). A lively paragraph offers a cursory look at a personal event or anecdote that emphasizes that particular trait, describing both accomplishments and foibles. Gouache collage portraits are decorated with items that cleverly reflect each individual's profession and personality. For instance, Babe Ruth (Athletes are made of a hunger for greatness) has Coke-bottle eyebrows, baseball gloves and balls for eyes, a large steak for a nose, and a hot dog with bun for a mouth. Surprisingly, these pictures actually do look like the subjects. Brief biographical facts about each athlete and a small photo are appended. While not a first purchase, this title is fun to browse. It could also inspire students to create self-portraits using items that expose their personalities, likes, and strengths, or to make a similar book about their favorite people. Make sure the art staff sees this one.–Kate Kohlbeck, Randall School, Waukesha, WI
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist
Gr. 2-4. Twenty-three sports figures, most of whom are still competing, are featured in this picture book for older children. Each athlete is presented in a full- or double-page illustration rendered in gouache and collage, accompanied by anecdotal information. The facial features of most of the athletes are depicted with items that relate to their sport or personal lives. Jesse Owens' eye is a bullet, which conveys his speed and shows that "athletes are made of get up and go." Tiger Woods holds a baby bottle, which demonstrates that "athletes are made of early starts." Martina Navratilova wears a Statue of Liberty crown to show that "athletes are made of free spirits." There is just enough information to appeal to sports fans (statistics and career highlights are given at the end in the "Post-Game Recap"), and the quirky, sometimes bordering on grotesque depictions of the athletes (Lance Armstrong looks like Frankenstein) will appeal to the visually inclined. Randall Enos
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Ginee Seo Books (May 9, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416910026
• ISBN-13: 978-1416910022
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #717,513 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun facts and higher level thinking, January 14, 2007

By	Camille "at the BookMoot!" (Katy, TX) - See all my reviews

This book shares "fun facts" about 23 sports personalities. The portraits of each athlete in this collection are created with a collage of toys, objects and illustration. Piven's book is equal parts biography and "I Spy" fun.

Using an odd assortment of objects, he accurately captures each athlete's appearance and comments on their personality and abilities. David Beckham is captured with gold glitz hair, referee whistle eyes and a bottle of pink nail polish for a nose. The amazing assembly looks just like him. Interesting facts about the sports figures are included in the paragraph on the page and a "Did you know" fact crawl across the bottom.

Jackie Joyner-Kersee, of long jump fame, is created with hinged measuring sticks for arms and legs and "leap frog" toys as her feet. Joe DiMaggio is featured as a baseball card, his eyelids are Marilyn Monroe coin keepers and his eyes are a rose bud. Baseball bats are his eyebrows and his mouth is a classic Greek column (class act, DiMaggio.)

Baseball, football, soccer, Olympic champions, Formula I, Nascar, and golf are all represented. One of my favorite portraits is Lance Armstrong, His nose is a bicycle seat, bike gears at the top of his head show the mental workout of the Tour de France (a souvineer Tour Eiffel in the background) and a bike chain mirrors the lines on his forehead. His mouth is a "Live Strong" bracelet.

Words do not do the book justice. I can imagine showing this book to a class with an Elmo so they can all see the detail in each portrait. Educators are always looking for material to engage higher level thinking, right? Well, here you go.