Fun Fact: We don’t add an extra “s” to the word sport in the UK. So, over here, the book is called 100 Things to Know About Sport, but in the US it’s 100 Things to Know About Sports. The things you learn writing for GeekDad!
It’s a good job that I’m not representing Great Britain at the reading Olympics, as I was sure the press release for 100 Things to Know About Sport said it was released in August. It was, in fact, July—just in time to capture the imaginations of children about to watch the sporting fiesta that is the Olympics.
Those Olympics are now almost over, and what a feast they have been. If you and your family have been watching the games and have been inspired by Leon Marchand, Noah Lyles, Keely Hodgkinson, or any (and all) of the amazing sportsmen and women in France, then this book from Usborne is sure to keep the buzz alive. Further, it is sure to keep appetites whetted for the next Parisian sporting extravaganza, the Paralympics, which kick off August 28th.
What Is 100 Things to Know About Sport?
Usborne has now reached double figures in its range of “100 things to know” books. They’re an excellent series with each book providing snippets of information on the specified subject, packaged with vibrant illustrations to engage young readers from around 7 upwards.
The book isn’t specifically tied to the Olympics and its events, as it covers all sorts of sporting information, from entry 1, which discusses what exactly qualifies as a sport, to entry 100, which looks at the greats of sports that have had their numbers retired. Along the way, we’ll find out why mustache hair might slow down your swimming time, about ice hockey fans who have to come out of the stands to help out their team, and about a Japanese man who took 50 years to finish a marathon.
“Thing” 68 blew my tiny UK-situated mind. The ball only spends 11 minutes of an NFL game in play. No wonder I don’t see the appeal!
Why Read 100 Things to Know About Sport?
I only offered you four of the topics covered in this book, and already you are desperate to know the answers, and, no doubt, find out 96 other fascinating things about the world of sport.
If you have a sports-mad child, this is the perfect book for them, whether they’re an avid player or just a watcher, like me. (I have loved the Olympics since 1980, the earliest I can remember, and always watch as much as I can.) The text is engaging, as are the infographic-style illustrations. There’s nothing not to like, and I’m sorely tempted to pick up some of the other titles in the series based on the strength of this volume.
If you would like to pick up a copy of 100 Things to Know About Sports, you can do so here in the US and here in the UK. (Affiliate Links)
If you enjoyed this review, check out my other book reviews.
I received a copy of this book in order to write this review.
