Skiing in Action

Theresa Paltzat is the Smart Search librarian at the Edmonton Public
Library.

The Sports in Action series is a great set of books for young readers
who are interested in trying a new sport or wanting to understand a
sport they watch on TV.

Field Events in Action describes the various jumping (e.g., long jump,
pole vault, high jump) and throwing (e.g., discus, shot put, javelin,
hammer) events, and outlines the essentials of the sport—standard
distances for events, proper apparel, warming up, and training safely.

Skiing in Action focuses on alpine and freestyle skiing. The book
begins with a description of the sport, key equipment, and technique.
Readers learn about the signs that designate the difficulty of the ski
hills and the importance of warming up and stretching. Also included is
a discussion of competitive skiing events, such as the Olympics Games.

Track Events in Action provides information about sprinting, hurdling,
long-distance running, and race-walking, as well as the history of track
events in both ancient and modern times.

Taekwondo in Action is an excellent introduction to this popular
martial art. Readers learn about the meaning of the belt colours and the
different techniques for kicking, striking, and blocking. Like the other
books, it also includes tips for warming up and information about
competitions.

Each book in the series contains an easy-to-read text packed into 14
two-page chapters, and each chapter is amply illustrated with diagrams
and action photographs. These books are excellent introductions to the
sport, but a young person keenly interested or involved in the sport
will eventually need something more detailed for technique and strategy.
Highly recommended.