Ask most Olympians how their story begins and they will answer, 'When I was young, I always dreamed of going to the Olympics...' Some will then go on to tell of their great athletic triumphs. Others will recall agonizing near-misses. But for most, the very fact that they reached the Games at all was a dream come true. For the Olympic Games offer athletes something few others sporting events can: the chance to be recognized as the best in the world at a chosen sport. With stories of great triumphs (such as Nadia Comaneci's great feat of scoring seven perfect scores in gymnastics) and losses (such as when U.S. diver Greg Louganis hit his head on the Olympic diving board), the Olympics not only embody the competitive human spirit, but also is stage for foreign relations and politics. Historical references, such as when countries were banned during times of war, combined with amazing sports stories give this book both an educational and exciting appeal.

Linspired reveals the inside story of the remarkable and meteoric rise of Jeremy Lin, superstar of the New York Knicks the first Asian-American-born player of Chinese/Taiwanese descent to play in the NBA. Discover the journey of the underdog who beat the odds to reach his current stardom and catch the attention of the sports world with both his incredible basketball skills and his on and off-court example of faith, persistence, and hard work. After receiving no athletic scholarship offers out of high school and not being drafted by an NBA team after graduating from Harvard, Lin signed a deal with his hometown team of the Golden State Warriors. After only his first year of play he was waived by the Warriors, but he was picked up by the Houston Rockets. Again, he was let go, on Christmas Eve, 2011. In spite of this disappointment, Lin always remained positive and trusted that God had a plan for his life and talents. Soon after, Lin was picked up when the New York Knicks needed a guard. After weeks of sitting on the bench, a teammate s injury placed Lin on the court, and since then he has captivated sports fans throughout the world with his tremendous skill and humble response."

Ages 10 to 14 years. Accompanying the thematic units will be an ever expanding series of student activity booklets. Each booklet complements the thematic units by encompassing fun-filled activities such as mazes, puzzles, word finds, and much more -- all designed around an Olympic theme. Celebrate the return of the Olympic Games to Athens in 2004 with fun and thought-provoking activities. Students learn about Olympic history and traditions as well as the sports that will be played in the summer of 2004.

An Olympian who sacrificed a medal to save a competitor, a professional soccer player who was bribed out of retirement with pizza, a runaway pig who disrupted the start of a baseball game -- truth is stranger than fiction, especially in sports! In this sequel to his first compilation of sports bloopers and unbelievable stories, And Nobody Got Hurt, Today Show regular and Emmy Award-winning sportscaster Len Berman shares more of the funniest and most amazing stories in the history of sports, including favorite moments from his popular Spanning the World segments on NBC-TV.

When faced with big challenges, young adults need time to reflect, process, and think deeply about their place in their community and their future. In today's fast paced world, young adults are subject to chronic fears of missing out, mental health issues, anxiety, and depression unlike any generation that has come before. The martial arts have the potential to help. Traditional martial arts revolve around principles and core values such as honor, integrity, perseverance, patience, humility, and respect. Each manifesting in self-expression and creativity to promote individual growth and a balanced approach to living. A complete martial artist learns how to conquer "self" through martial arts training and how to live by these traditional core values. Although there are occasions when martial arts may be used for self-defense, its primary uses are for sport, character, and spiritual fulfillment. The author shares: His own childhood story of hardship and redemption How to adopt martial arts values as a way of living Important universal principles to live by On creating a championship attitude Examples about martial arts forms (kata) and sparring How to get started and be successful in your personal martial arts journey This book, The Complete Martial Artist, offers kids, young adults, parents, and twenty-somethings an opportunity to see what martial arts can do for their lives. What parents are saying about being a complete martial artist "It gives [my child] discipline, a hard work ethic, and physical fitness"- Bell family "It gives my son a sense of self-confidence and a better overall attitude"-Miller family "It gives my boys the benefit of interaction with other kids, good friends, getting out of their comfort zones, and leadership skills"-Draper family "It makes my daughter outgoing and happy"-Lopez family "It gives my kids discipline and confidence to speak up for themselves"-Bui family "It gives my child goals to work toward and helped him improve in school"-Brown family

Join TV's Survivorman on twelve edge-of-your-seat adventures as he proves anyone can be an outdoor explorer. From surviving a frigid night in northern Canada to munching on grubs in the Australian Outback, Les Stroud's passion for the outdoors has driven him to some of the planet's most remote and beautiful locations. In Wild Outside, he invites readers into his world of wilderness adventures with fast-paced stories, nature facts, and practical advice for spending time outside. Featuring kid-friendly activities and tips like how to safely observe wildlife, Stroud shows readers that adventure awaits everywhere-whether in a jungle or a city park. Andrew P. Barr's dramatic illustrations amp up the excitement alongside photos of Survivorman's adventures.

Instructional photographs and simple text written by children introduce the basic, optional, and meditative poses of Hatha yoga.

Why does a football spiral? How do some athletes jump so high? The answer is science! The Secret Science of Sports helps kids better understand concepts of science, technology, engineering, and math through the sports they love to play and watch. Every sport -- from baseball to basketball, to football and soccer, to wrestling, tennis, and lacrosse -- involves a bit of science, technology, engineering, and math. You can't throw a ball without Newton's Law of Motion, and you can't calculate a player's stats without math. And every type of sports equipment -- a helmet, cleats, shoulder or knee pads -- were designed with the latest engineering and technology. The Secret Science of Sports breaks down normally difficult STEM concepts like forces of motion, gravity, algebra, and even neuroscience, in a language kids can -- and will want to -- understand. Divided into sections like chemistry, biology, physics, technology, and more, this handy guide uses examples from sports like soccer, baseball, softball, football, hockey, lacrosse, tennis, and others to explain important STEM concepts for kids ages 8 to 12. They'll learn how to use math to calculate a batter's average, why a tennis racket is shaped the way it is, how biology affects athletic performance, the aerodynamics behind competitive swimsuits, and much more. With dozens of original, captivating illustrations to engage young readers, kids will have fun while learning about key STEM ideas that will prepare them for years of schooling to come.

Text in Spanish. Ages 4-8. A children's picture book with upbeat, rhyming text and brilliantly-coloured illustrations of young children engaging in many different forms of physical activity. The book presents multicultural characters -- including African, Hispanic, Caucasian and Asian children and adults -- and varied locales, from a busy city street scene to a country landscape. Each child shown is joyfully engaged in movement, demonstrating both the physical and the emotional health benefits of exercise. WE LIKE TO MOVE conveys the message that exercise is fun, and a normal part of the life of a human being. The text and illustrations suggest that movement may be spontaneous as well as organised through sports; and that it is for everyone, from every age, gender, culture and walk of life. Even children or adults with physical handicaps can participate in some types of movement.

This ingenious book uses the postures and movements of zoo animals to teach yoga movements to children. The first part of the book covers theoretical and practical information for parents and teachers working with yoga. Part two takes readers to every part of the zoo, from the insect and reptile houses to the ape cage and the oceanarium. Here youngsters come face to face with a tiger, look in the eyes of a giraffe, do the monkey dance, and walk as gracefully as a flamingo. Part three introduces the rules of the yoga lifestyle through a number of animal fables. Part four contains background information about the animals described in the book.

When Ichiro was three years old, his father introduced him to baseball. For seventeen years, Ichiro played the sport he loved in his home country of Japan. He became not only that country's greatest baseball player, but its biggest celebrity of all times. Then, in 2000, he left Japan to join the Seattle Mariners. Would Ichiro be able to succeed in the world's most challenging baseball league? Critics said no, that the Japanese player was too short, too skinny, too weak to make it in the majors. It was up to Ichiro to prove them wrong. He did so time and again, leading his team to its best season ever in his rookie year and collecting several awards along the way. Fans on both sides of the Pacific Ocean are looking forward to his performance in the 2002-2003 season.

Gold medals and love: can Rachel win both? Rachel is now playing for a team called Phoenix and she is doing so well that she is regarded as a core member. Rachel is devastated to miss out on the Australian Netball Squad selection for the Commonwealth Games, but when one of the key Australian players is injured at the final training session, Rachel is called to fill the vacant spot. Her lifelong dream comes true! While away Rachel keeps a diary for the two weeks of the Games, recording her battles with insecurity, victories on the court, travel experiences and the regular phone conversations with boyfriend Daniel. the battle for gold between New Zealand and Australia is both exhausting and exhilarating. After the game Rachel is frustrated when she can't ring Daniel because she is called away to do a media interview. there she discovers that the 'interviewer' is Daniel, who has used all of his savings to be with her for her final match. Ages 10-14

Hockey has been a part of Mario Lemieux's life since his childhood. At the age of six he was holding his own against boys four years older; by the time he was sixteen, he had captured the attention of the National Hockey League. Three years later, he signed on with the Pittsburgh Penguins. His spectacular ability to read the ice, score goals, and assist others to score turned the worst team in the league into champions. Along the way, he was faced with much adversity: separation from his home and family in Canada, the death of a beloved coach, and chronic back pain. Yet through it all he persevered, proving over and over again that he deserved the nicknames given to him by fans: Super Mario, Mario the Magnificent, and Mario the Miracle Man. His most recent achievement includes being the captain of the gold medal winning Canadian olympic team.

FLAT ABS. TIGHT BUTT. LEAN THIGHS. KICKASS ATTITUDE. GET ONE GREAT BODY!

Have you been looking in the mirror and thinking, "I hate my...I can't stand those...I have to hide my..."? Do you want to feel strong and confident in whatever you wear, from jeans to a halter top? No matter what shape you're in now—star athlete or gym class wallflower, string bean, jelly belly, or chunky monkey—you can be fit and fabulous, safely and without starving yourself.

America's #1 Fitness Expert, Joyce Vedral, has helped thousands of teens create their best body. Her foolproof techniques are designed to produce a tight, toned, dynamite figure-and you can start using them right now!

The secret is not dieting obsessively. It is working out with Joyce's special toning program and eating right. In fact, with Joyce's daily food plan, you will probably eat more than you do now—but lose fat from the first day. And her 20-minute workout with weights is not only fun, but gives you visible results fast! With her program, you can:

· Get a better body in just 3 weeks...and a terrific body in just 12 weeks!

· Develop a figure that's firm and toned instead of soft and flabby

· Burn fat...even in your sleep!

· Get rid of cellulite

· Go down a dress size every 3 weeks if you are overweight

· Boost metabolism so you can eat more—without getting fat

· Build exciting new strength, balance, and stamina, but no bulky muscles

· Increase self-discipline to promote success in all areas of your life!

Includes 80 Instructional Photos

ALSO AVAILABLE FROM WARNER BOOKS
BY THE #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR
JOYCE L. VEDRAL, Ph.D.

THE BATHING SUIT WORKOUT
Stop dreading summer! You can look good in a bathing suit-and have no bulges! No flab! No cellulite! This easy, fast, and all-new workout will get your body in shape for summer-and maybe the best shape of your life! Find out how to "spot tone" away the fat you hate on your tummy, thunder thighs, and butt. Featuring Joyce Vedral's exclusive "tri-set," which tones and dramatically reduces three target areas at a time for superfast results, this guide shows the secrets to a wonderful routine that takes just ten minutes a day with no equipment.

"Transforms the fat on your hips, butt, thighs, and stomach into muscle-in a matter of weeks!"
-Betty Wieder, cofounder, Shape

WEIGHT TRAINING MADE EASY
Transform Your Body in Four Simple Steps You've tried dieting…you've tried aerobics...you've tried joining a gym (and really didn't know what to do)...and nothing worked. Experts agree that weight training is the only way to reshape the body (and increase bone density in the process). Helping you make your dreams of a great body come true, this easy-to-follow guide takes you from the beginning level up to expert in simple, easy-to-understand steps. No matter what your age and no matter what your weight or body type, you can now look and feel your best!

"Anyone can do it...easy to follow. Joyce takes you from beginner to expert in only 20 to 30 minutes a day."
-Joe Weider, publisher, Muscle and Fitness and Shape

DEFINITION
Get the body you want-without the bulk you don't want! You want a toned body that's tight, symmetrical, and aesthetically beautiful-one that is achievable in 15 minutes a day or 30 minutes every other day. With this book, Joyce Vedral shows you how using a set of light weights and a bench or step, along with a low-fat, never-go-hungry eating plan, you'll be ready for a revolutionary aerobic program than can sculpt your body into its most perfect form!

"Vedral...tells women how to take charge of their lives."
-Library Journal