Figure Skating in Action

Steve Pitt is a Toronto-based freelance writer and an award-winning journalist. He has written many young adult and children's books, including Day of the Flying Fox: The True Story of World War II Pilot Charley Fox.

A few centuries ago, ice skating was one way to get around Northern
Europe when all the rivers and lakes were frozen. Then someone decided
to show off a little by cutting a fancy pattern on the ice with their
sharp skates. That brought a competitive response from someone else.
Another person decided to skate to music and then someone else decided
to try a dance movement while cutting the figure. When skaters began
concentrating more on the music and dance movements than on the ice
figures, a new sport was born.

This latest volume in the Sports in Action series introduces young
readers to the guts and the glory of modern figure skating. Kate
Calder’s text is easy to read and packed with information, and key
words are highlighted for emphasis. In the chapters titled “The
Essentials,” “Warming Up,” “On the Edge,” “Smooth
Skating,” “Spinning,” “Jumping,” and “Stops,” Calder
stresses the dedication and hard work required in competitive skating.
The different types of figure skating are discussed in the chapters
“Pair Skating,” “Ice Dancing,” “Synchronized Skating,” and
“Ice Shows.” Dozens of action-packed full-color photos feature young
skaters at various levels of expertise. A glossary of skating words and
an index are included at the back of the book. Figure Skating in Action
is a fine resource for young novice skaters or any child who just wants
to know more about this much-loved sport. Highly recommended.