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...

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. ...