I get upset when people suggest that athletes are stupid. I have sat on the sidelines of countless youth baseball and football games, and I have witnessed the hard work, concentration, and dedication it takes to excel in any sport. Athletic ability is a gift, not a limitation. That's why I love to find books written by professional athletes, like Tim Green. It's not easy to find positive role models these days, but this author shows us how to find a multitude of ways to make a contribution to the world. He is the author of one of Green Guy's favorite books. Green Guy is my 11 year old son, and today I'd like to share a few of his favorite sports related chapter books.
By the way, I call him "Green Guy" for three reasons:
1. Before he was born, and before we knew he was a boy, my husband and I chose dark green carpeting for his room. Little did we know it, but we were about to watch a child unleash his love of a game on an open green field. Not everyone is lucky enough to develop a passion for something at such a young age, and watching a child put his heart and soul into something truly is a gift to be nurtured and cherished always.
2. He loves the Green Bay Packers, just like his dad.
3. I originally suggested the nickname, "Football Fanatic," but he didn't like it. He just wanted to be called, "Green." I'm proud that he won't let himself be "defined" by a sport.
Green Guy may love football, but he also loves to read. Here are a few sports related books he can't get enough of:
Football Genius, by Tim Green, is one of his favorites. This author played for the Atlanta Falcons, and I can't thank him enough for sharing his love of football with children. Green Guy loved this book so much that he asked me to see if there were any more like it. He's really routing for this book to be made into a series! Me too....
Green Guy also likes books about baseball. There is a "baseball card adventure" series by Dan Gutman that he loves, and it combines baseball with time travel and history. It's always a bonus when you can sneak history in and make it fun to learn about! These books really spark the imagination, and readers will learn something valuable along the way. It's always nice to find a series of this quality, because it provides hours, days, and months of enjoyment. One of the books in this series is called Jackie and Me. If your child likes baseball, this series is a "must read."
Green Guy doesn't only read about sports. Check back for more of his book recommendations, or feel free to subscribe to this blog.
Can you recommend any sports related books that your child loved? Feel free to share!
