Simone Biles: Volume 103
Little People, Big Dreams Series
illustrations by
on Goodreads (203)
What’s inside...
Dive into the inspiring journey of Simone Biles, one of the world's greatest gymnasts, through the engaging narrative of 'Simone Biles: Volume 103' by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara. This captivating biography highlights Biles' perseverance, discipline, and triumphs, making it an excellent source of motivation for young readers. It skillfully addresses her challenges and successes, providing a wholesome perspective that encourages resilience and self-belief. Suitable for children and parents alike, this book not only tells the story of a sports icon but also enhances understanding of dedication and mental health in sports. In this book from the multimillion-copy best-selling Little People, BIG DREAMS series, discover the story of Simone Biles, one of the most decorated gymnasts of all time. Growing up in foster care, Simone’s gymnastics training was an anchor in her life. An energetic child, she loved to tumble and spin in the air at gymnastics class, and began her career as an athlete when she was just 14 years old. Astonishingly, at the age of 19, she had won four gold medals for the USA. Despite the hardships, she has faced them all to become one of the greatest athletes of all time, and an advocate for mental health awareness. Little People, BIG DREAMS is a best-selling biography series for kids that explores the lives of outstanding people, from designers and artists to scientists and activists. All of them achieved incredible things, yet each began life as a child with a dream. This empowering series of books offers inspiring messages to children of all ages, in a range of formats. The books are designed to be accessible for children, with simple sentences for the youngest readers and more complex text for older children, providing an engaging and educational experience for all.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
6-8
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What qualities do you think make Simone Biles a champion?
How does Simone handle challenges and setbacks in her journey?
What can we learn from Simone’s dedication to gymnastics?
How does Simone inspire others, and who inspires you in a similar way?
Why is it important to have role models like Simone Biles?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to think about the obstacles they have faced and how they overcame them, drawing parallels to Simone’s story.
Discuss the importance of practice and perseverance in achieving goals, using specific examples from Simone's training regimen highlighted in the book.
Ask your child to share their thoughts about teamwork and leadership as expressed in Simone’s interactions with her teammates and coaches.
Use Simone’s story as a springboard to talk about your child’s dreams and aspirations and how they can start working towards them.
Highlight Simone’s humble beginnings and her journey to success to teach lessons about humility and hard work.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of perseverance
Explanation: Simone Biles consistently faces challenges throughout her journey, but she doesn't give up. Her resilience is portrayed as she overcomes obstacles to achieve her goals in gymnastics.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to keep trying in the face of difficulties, whether it's mastering a new skill or completing a tough school assignment.
Example Lesson: Value of hard work
Explanation: The story emphasizes Simone's dedication to practicing and honing her gymnastic skills, highlighting how her hard work leads to success.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of dedication and effort in achieving success, encouraging them to apply themselves diligently in their studies and activities.
Example Lesson: Embracing uniqueness
Explanation: Simone's unique talents are celebrated in the book, inspiring children to appreciate what makes them different.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to embrace their individuality and feel confident in their unique abilities and characteristics.
Example Lesson: Importance of support systems
Explanation: The book shows how crucial family and coaches are to Simone’s success, providing her with encouragement and guidance.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of seeking support when needed and being supportive to others. This can reinforce the importance of family and friends in achieving personal goals.
Example Lesson: Setting and achieving goals
Explanation: Simone sets clear goals for herself in the narrative and works tirelessly to achieve them, showcasing the importance of goal-setting.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to set their own achievable goals and work systematically to attain them, fostering a sense of accomplishment and self-efficacy.