Author/Illustrator: Alexandra Boiger
Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers, 2015
Ages: 3-5
Themes: sledding, Olympics, friendship
Opening: Max and Marla are best friends.
Summary: (from Amazon) Max and Marla are best friends. And aspiring Olympians! With their eyes on the prize, they know exactly what it’ll take to reach sledding success: preparation, practice and perseverance. So when rusty blades, strong winds and difficult slopes get in their way, Max and Marla realize true joy lies not in winning but in friendship. Obstacles turn into victories!
I like this book because: it reminds me of the sledding adventures I had as a child, how persistent we were, wet mittens and all, and how the kids in our neighborhood enjoyed playing ‘Olympics’, though gymnastics was my chosen sport because CARTWHEELS! (I always wanted to play Nadia Comaneci). I love the simple palette, an array of cool blues and spots of cinnamon. Both characters are endearing, but my heart melted with little Marla asleep on the couch, ‘helping’ with the wax – “True Olympians never give up”!
Resources/activities: learn about different Olympic sports for winter or summer (don’t forget badminton – my favorite to play!); discover the difference between sleds and sleighs, and what makes them go (and why Max uses wax on his)at wonderopolois.org – HERE; investigate: do different cultures use different kinds of sleds? (I have a German one, just like the sled in the book!). I’ve wanted one like the following since I first saw the Swedish tv series, Pippi Longstocking:
For existing PPBF selections including resources and activities, go to Susanna Hill’s blog: HERE
I want to buy this one for me. The palette is so effective…. I love that Marla, the owl, is napping at nighttime!
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I did just buy this one for me!
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This looks super cute! Love the illustrations.
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I love winter Olympics. What a great book for kids and so beautiful!
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As always, you pick the great illustrations! And who amongst us has not dreamed of Olympic stardom!!??
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What? It’s not just me and, well, Olympians?
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I love the cover and the characters are so interesting. I can see why you like this so much. I love it.
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Kewl! Will have to check this out. We have a couple of the old Radio Flyer ones from hubby’s youth. The boys (and hubby) love to sled; me, not so much. I’m more the hot cocoa + a comfy chair and a book gal (i.e. unadventurous). :}
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They forgot to tell you how much better cocoa tastes after a good spin on the flyer!
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Heh heh…you can’t convince me!
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Really endearing art and story, Julie! Thank you for sharing!
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Looks lovely all around. We could add a trip to the Olympic Training Center in town for our followup activity! Love the colors in this one too. (It’s on order at the library, so I put it on my list!)
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As Joanna said, you have to leave something undone on your list in order to make you want to come back soon!
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Another book trying to get me in the winter mood–I will resist (but look forward to reading!)
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Haha! Do soak up the fall colors now to feed on during the gray days!
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this looks so cool. Waxing sled runners…. reminds me of me and my sisters “getting ready for the olympics” when we were kids and learning to ski.
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Mighty fine memories, I’m sure!
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Okay so this is on a very looooong distant adventure list. Although I did take one of my nephews on a tyre ride in an indoor snow park. Does that qualify for the Olympics? LOL Beautiful cool colours and so cute.
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Did you sled down with him, Diane?
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