
A parent might reach for this book when their child is defining success and failure for themselves, especially in sports or other challenging activities. It's perfect for a child who needs encouragement to persevere or who is curious about what truly makes a champion beyond just physical skill. 'What Athletes Are Made Of' uses brilliant and witty collage art to profile famous athletes, illustrating their key character traits like determination, focus, and teamwork through the use of cleverly chosen everyday objects. Instead of a dry biography, it offers a visual, conceptual exploration of the inner strengths that fuel success. For ages 6-9, this book is a fantastic way to open a conversation about resilience and self-confidence, shifting the focus from simply winning to the character it takes to compete.
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Sign in to write a reviewThe book is overwhelmingly positive and inspirational. It touches upon historical challenges, such as the racial barriers faced by Jackie Robinson and Jesse Owens, but frames these struggles as obstacles overcome through immense character and perseverance. The approach is secular and historical, with a consistently hopeful resolution focused on legacy and triumph.
This is for a 7-year-old who just joined a team and is feeling discouraged, or an 8-year-old artist who isn't 'sporty' but is fascinated by what makes people unique. It’s for any child who could benefit from seeing that character, creativity, and resilience are just as important as natural talent.
No preparation is required; the book can be read cold. The text provides sufficient context for each athlete. A parent might want to be ready to discuss the historical context of athletes like Jesse Owens or Billie Jean King, but the book stands on its own. A parent has just heard their child say, "I'm not good enough, I want to quit," after a tough practice or game. Another trigger is a child who idolizes athletes for their fame or wins, and the parent wants to introduce the concept of character being the true foundation of greatness.
A 6-year-old will primarily enjoy the book as a visual 'I Spy' game, delighting in identifying the objects that make up each face. A 9-year-old will grasp the deeper metaphorical meaning, understanding why a ruler represents self-measurement for Jackie Joyner-Kersee or why keys in Jackie Robinson's portrait symbolize the doors he opened for others. The older child engages with the abstract concepts more directly.
The unique, metaphorical art style is the book's key differentiator. While many children's sports biographies exist, this one translates abstract virtues into concrete, visual forms. It is as much an art book as it is a biography, teaching visual literacy and character education simultaneously in a witty and accessible way.
This conceptual nonfiction book uses Hanoch Piven's signature found-object collage art to create portraits of fourteen iconic athletes, including Michael Jordan, Jackie Robinson, and Babe Didrikson Zaharias. Each two-page spread features a portrait, a short biography, and highlights a specific character trait (like focus, determination, or teamwork) that defined the athlete's success. The objects used in the art serve as visual metaphors for these qualities, making abstract concepts tangible for young readers.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.