With the spirit of the Olympics in the air, the Children’s Librarians at Worcester Public Library thought it would be fun to share some amazing nonfiction books to explore more about the Olympics.

Crossing the Finish Line by Thushanthi Ponweera

When Sri Lankan Olympian Rantunge Karunanada raced in the 1964 Olympics, he quickly learned that he did not have much of a chance of winning the 10,000-meter race. However, just competing in the Olympics was a dream come true, and nothing was going to stop him from reaching the finish line.

Declan Farmer Paralympic Hockey Star by Matt Chandler

Declan Farmer is a two-time Paralympic gold medalist. This inspirational book details his life, challenges, and athletic career.

History and Stars of the World’s Greatest Sporting Event: From Athens 1896 to Paris 2024 by Vijayan Bala

Learn all about the modern Summer Olympics in this book! It includes information about the history of the games (including details on each event from 1896 to 2024), features rare photos, and highlights Olympic stars and record breakers. 

How Do You Become an Olympian? by Madeleine Kelly

How do athletes represent their county in the Olympics? How do athletes win medals? This books answers these and other questions and is filled with fun facts about the Olympics and Olympic athletes. 

Jubilee: the First Therapy Horse and an Olympic Dream by KT Johnston

When Lis Hartel contracted polio and became paralyzed, she was told that she would be lucky to walk again and riding a horse was even less likely. During rehabilitation, Liz began training with horses for therapy. After years of hard work, Liz and Jubilee, her horse, made it to the 1952 Olympics and won a silver medal. 

Luge by Ashley Gish

If you’re looking to learn about one of the most thrilling sports of the Winter Games, this book is for you. Learn about the luge sleds, the aerodynamic gear, and the types of races that the athletes compete in. 

Swimming Toward a Dream by Reem Faruqu

Yusra Mardini swam in Syria with hopes to someday go to the Olympics, but when war came, she was no longer safe. This book recounts how she attempted to cross the sea looking for safety and how she eventually was invited to participate in the 2016 Olympics on the first-ever Refugee Team!

Touch the Sky: Alice Coachman, Olympic High Jumper by Ann Malaspina

This beautiful book written in verse follows Alice Coachman’s journey from her segregated Georgia hometown in the 1930’s to becoming the first African American woman to ever win an Olympic Gold. 

Twist, Tumble, Triumph: The Story of Champion Gymnast Agnes Keleti by Kerry Olitzky

When Agnes was told Jewish athletes were not allowed in the gym any longer, she began to train in secret at a school gym with another teammate, Istvan Sarkany. It became even more difficult to train after Nazis began to patrol the streets of Budapest. This book portrays Agnes’s story as she never gave up on her dream and became an Olympic champion in 1952!

Who is Chloe Kim? by Stefanie Loh

Chloe Kim earned a gold medal at the PyeongChang Winter Olympics in 2018 at just 17 years old! Learn all about Chloe’s life and career as a snowboarder in this popular Who Is series book.

We hope this helps you further explore this topic!

- Stacy and Alyssa

February is Black History Month! Here is a list of amazing books to celebrate the month and continue reading throughout the year.

Picture Books

The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander

Accompanied by powerful oil paintings, Kwame Alexander’s poem honors Black American History from the unspeakable horrors of slavery to Martin Luther King Jr. and Black Lives Matter. This book won both the Caldecott Medal and a Newbery Honor.

We Could Fly by Rhiannon Giddens

Inspired by a book about Black American Folktales, Rhiannon Giddens wrote a beautiful song and turned it into a powerful picture book. The beautiful illustrations, lyrical verses, and evocative repetition all depict the deep ancestral connection and spirituality intrinsic to this book. 

What My Daddy Loves by Raissa Figueroa 

This book is a beautiful celebration of a father’s love. 

The History of We by Nikkolas Smith

This book pairs poetic text with gorgeous paintings to tell the beginnings of human civilization in Africa. Backmatter, including a timeline and author’s note, provides extra information about the innovations discussed throughout the book.

I Am More Than by Lebron James

This inspirational picture book features empowering affirmations and beautiful, inclusive illustrations.

Non-Fiction Books

Ice Breaker: How Mabel Fairbanks Changed Figure Skating by Rose Viña 

This book tells the story of Mabel Fairbanks, a woman who overcame homelessness, racism, and segregation to follow her dream of Ice Skating. In her fight for equality, she became a coach and demanded that her students be treated fairly.

How Sweet the Sound: A Soundtrack for America by Kwame Alexander

This book travels through history through its music.  Alexander’s free-verse is accompanied by Palmer’s vibrant paintings. The background information provided in the back of the book allows readers to learn more about various types of music and references throughout the book.

Unstoppable: How Bayard Rustin Organized the 1963 March on Washington by Michael G. Long

This book follows Bayard Rustin, a Black, gay civil rights activist who, inspired by Gandhi’s pacifism and march to free India, helped plan the 1963 March on Washington.  

No Small Potatoes: Junius G. Groves and His Kingdom in Kansas by Tonya Bolden

This biography follows Junius G. Groves, a man born into slavery who became the richest Black man between the Missouri River and the Rockies. This book brings a little-known, heartwarming story to life with fun illustrations, quotes from Junius, and a timeline in the back of the book.

Middle Grade

Warrior on the Mound by Sandra W. Headen

Set in 1939 in Pre-Civil Rights North Carolina, this coming-of-age novel follows twelve-year-old Cato, who wants to be a baseball pitcher like his father, as he is accused of damaging a whites-only baseball field. This impactful book tackles racism and violence through the lens of sports, history, and family.

Clean Getaway by Nic Stone

After getting in trouble due to a run-in with a school bully, eleven-year-old William is grounded and subjected to long lectures about his responsibilities as a black boy. When his grandmother invites him on a road trip, he excitedly agrees to the opportunity to escape his grounding. On their road trip, William learns about the Civil Rights Movement and his own family history.

New Kid by Jerry Craft

This graphic novel follows Jordan as he starts at his new private school, Riverdale Academy Day School, where great academics fail to keep rampant stereotypes at bay. This Newbery Medal recipient tackles themes of race, class, and identity with humor and vibrant art.

Curlfriends: Back in Business by Sharee Miller

This book follows Nola, who has never met a problem she can’t fix. When she hears that her mom’s salon may be in trouble, she wants to help any way that she can. This vibrant book is full of friendship and family. If you enjoy this book, make sure to read its prequel Curlfriends: New in Town.

Freewater by Amina Luqman-Dawson

This lyrical novel follows twelve-year-old Homer as he escapes from slavery with his younger sister, Ada, but having escaped, decides to turn back to save his mother. This moving historical novel informs readers about this often-overlooked period of history.

Welcome to 2026! Lots of us are looking for new activities to explore in the new year, and Worcester Public Library is here to help. Below is a list of great activities to try this year, and all the ways that WPL can help you explore them.

Crochet 

• Crafting is always a favorite of our library! Many youth services librarians at Worcester Public Library love to crochet. This has allowed us to offer a monthly program teaching children to crochet (the library also has a program for adults).
• Worcester Public Library has a Library of Things that allows patrons 18+ to check items out. These items include crochet hooks, knitting needles, and more!

• Books are always a great resource when trying something new. My favorite crochet book for kids is Kids! Picture Yourself Crocheting.

Dungeons and Dragons

• Dungeons and Dragons (also known as D&D) is a roleplaying game that uses dice and your imagination. The library offers great programs to play D&D in a group as well as to learn how to start your own D&D campaigns.
• Check out these great books to help you play:

Inside the World of Dungeons & Dragons by Susie Rae

The Monsters & Creatures Compendium: a Young Adventurer's Guide

Embroidery 

• Embroidery uses needle and thread to decorate fabric. Try it out at the program on January 24!
• Check out these great books to learn more:

Stitch-by-Stitch: A Beginner's Guide to Needlecraft by Jane Bull

Stitch Camp: 18 Crafty Projects for Kids and Tweens by Nicole Blum and Catherine Newman

Coding

• Kids can learn to code, which develops problem solving and critical thinking skills. Coding is the language used to give instructions to computers to perform tasks. Tweens (age 8-12) can learn to code in our monthly program.
• Books can help us learn to code too:

Coding Concepts for Kids: Learn to Code Without a Computer by Randy Lynn

Coding for Kids for Dummies by Camille McCue, PhD

Chess

• Chess is a fantastic hobby as it is a game that requires logic and strategy. Worcester Public Library has a monthly Chess Club for kids to learn and practice together.

• Books also offer a great way to delve deeper into the strategies behind great chess games. My favorite chess book is The Life-Changing Magic of Chess by Maurice Ashley.

Drawing

• Drawing is a fantastic creative outlet that offers a screen-free way to relax. Worcester Public Library is offering a lesson on drawing Looney Tunes on January 23!
• The library also has many great books on how to draw anything you want:

How to Draw Adorable: Joyful Lessons for Making Cute Art  by Carlianne Tipsey 

How to Draw Awesome Characters 

I hope this helps you start some awesome new hobbies!

-Alyssa

Worcester Public Library Children’s Librarians are on a quest to talk about all of our favorite books of 2025! Let’s look at all of the nonfiction books we loved this year.

Book of Questions: Selections by Pablo Neruda; translated by Sara Lissa Paulson

This is a striking poem of thought-provoking questions presented with both Neruda’s original Spanish and Paulson’s translation accompanied by beautiful illustration by Paloma Valdivia.

Frida Kahlo: She Painted Her World in Self-Portraits by Amy Guglielmo

This illustrated biography includes both vibrant imagery and illustrations that grab your attention. The text is inspirational, describing how Frida Kahlo celebrated her heritage and honored and persevered through her disabilities. This book includes artistic prompts, direct quotes from Frida Kahlo, and a selection of her works at the end.

Follow Chester: A College Football Team Fights Racism and Makes History by Gloria Repress-Churchwell

This book follows Chester Pierce, the first black football player to play in the south. It tells an inspiring true story about how unity makes change.

The Girl Who Thought in Pictures: The Story of Dr. Temple Grandin by Julia Finley Mosca

Told in rhyming prose, this book discusses Temple Grandin, an American scientist and inventor diagnosed with autism at a young age. This book depicts how Temple Grandin used her unique mind and visual thinking to help achieve her goals.

Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterly

This powerful, true story recounts the lives of four Black women who worked at NASA to help get people to space. It describes the adversity that these women faced including racism and segregation laws. The book includes biographies on Dorothy Jackson Vaughan, Mary Winston Jackson, Katherine Colman Goble Johnson, and Dr. Christine Mann Darden.

Phenomenal AOC: The Roots and Rise of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez by Anika Aldamuy Denise

This inspirational biography tells the story of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a Puerto Rican woman who became the youngest congresswoman in United States history. Beautiful bright pictures capture readers’ attention while recounting a story of hard work, community, family, and determination.

The Extraordinary History of Witches by Hazel Atkinson

This beautifully illustrated book takes readers on a journey from the ancient origins of witches all the way to how magic is viewed and practiced today.

Lost and Found: The True Story of Kunkush’s Incredible Journey by Doug Kuntz and Amy Shrodes

This true story of a beloved family cat lost while his family was fleeing Iraq shows the kindness and determination of strangers to help reunite him with his family.

Dog on Board: The True Story of Eclipse, the Bus-Riding Dog by Dorothy Hinshaw Patent and Jeffrey Young

This book tells the true story of Eclipse, a registered service dog, and how she began to ride the bus to the dog park on her own. The book is co-written by Eclipse’s owner which adds a personal touch to their story.

Inside the World of Dungeons and Dragons by Susie Rae

This book is an excellent introduction to Dungeons and Dragons for tween readers. It features fun activities including a trivia quiz; information on famous characters, countries, and campaigns; and where to find information outside the actual game (such as podcasts and authors writing stories set in the world).

The Crane and the Keeper by Meeg Pincus

Walnut was a crane raised by humans and as a result she didn’t get along well with other cranes. Since Walnut was the only white-naped crane in captivity that was able to safely breed and pass down genes, so they had to find a way to help her hatch chicks. Her human keeper proved to be the answer.

I Am Gravity by Henry Herz

By personifying gravity, this book is able to show how important this force is, not just on our planet but in the entire solar system.

Kids' Guide to Learning the Ukulele: 24 Songs to Learn and Play by Emily Arrow

Musician and author Emily Arrow organizes each bright and colorful chapter in a way that is not heavy in text or daunting to readers. Her passion for the ukulele jumps off the page and is so infectious that it might just inspire you to learn to play the ukulele!

Dexter: The Stand Up Dog by Bonnie Kelso

This incredible, true story will melt the hearts of dog lovers everywhere! When Dexter gets into an accident and loses his leg, he finds his own way to follow his dreams no matter how impossible they might seem.

Battle of the Butts: The Science Behind Animal Behinds by Jocelyn Rish

This book is amazing for kids who love learning about the world around them with an extra helping of potty humor thrown in for prime giggles. From the turtle who breathes through its backside to the wombat who has cube-shaped poops, this book -with its parade of animals and the fun facts about their tushies-  is priceless!

Cocoa Girl Awesome Hair: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Styling Textured Hair by Serlina Boyd

From braids to Bantu knots this colorful how-to book is chock full of amazing hairstyles kids can do to show off their natural hair flair.

The B on Your Thumb: 60 Poems to Boost Reading and Spelling by Colette Hiller

Learning English can be a wild and confusing adventure! Luckily, author Colette Hiller delivers a creative approach through her creation of memorable poems and rhymes for kids (and grown-ups) to remember how to spell and say the trickiest sounds and words.

We hope this list helped you find a new favorite for the New Year!