My first impression based on the cover: Not just the cover has been so eye-catching, but in every page too, as they depict minimalism.

Description: It’s great for those who's wanting a few quick facts about the remarkable athletes, like Phelps, Farah, Bolt, Rudolph and Owens. They’re being arranged according to the year that they'd changed everything in the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Also, I got to know a few of them that displaying a few bizarre attires during the Games, like Louis, Cooper and Syers, apart from whose got the highest medal tally, like Zorn and Jacobsson. What I dislike about this book was the author should’ve put Flo-Jo among them, as she’s great and bring changes throughout the Olympic Games’ history somehow.

This is a fun book for children aged 7-10 to learn about iconic athletes from around the world. The pages are well organized with wonderful information about what makes each athlete stand out. Our favorites were Wilma Rudolph and Simone Biles, but my daughter learned someone on each page.

The illustrations are well done, but were not my daughter's favorites. This is a great books for an elementary school library or classroom. Any child who loves sports will also love this!

An advance release copy of this book was made available by the publisher via netgalley. The thoughts and opinions here are my honest review.

This is a great introduction to a number of Olympians from around the world.
The book works through in an almost chronological order naming and introducing 40 sports stars, some of whom will be known and some lesser known. Some achieved an Olympic 'first' while some achieved many medals. Some made their names by supporting a cause important to them, while some represented their country in many sports.
Each double page spread is laid out in an easy-to-read format with a short paragraph introducing the athlete, a fact or two about what they did following their Olympic career, their other achievements or a key Olympic Games they were part of on the left side of the page. On the right facing page, there is an illustration of the figure with facts about their skill or build and a graphic showing the Olympic medals they won.
The end of the book shows a timeline of key Games and moments from the first modern Olympics in 1896 up to the planned games for 2020. I imagine if there were to be a future edition of this book may feature the first change in years for a Games due to the current pandemic!

This would be a great introduction for those interested in the Olympic Games to learn about some key Olympians and Games. If this was used as part of a class topic, I would probably use it in the run up to a Games, or immediately following and encourage children to create a profile page for an athlete participating in that competition.

Covid has changed all of our lives; one of the many things to adjust to has been the absence of live sports.  However, there is a long history of amazing athletes and this book can be a reminder until events are once again underway.


Sports figures often inspire.  Many times athletes have achieved after adversity and have worked incredibly hard to find their success.  This title tells the inspiring stories of 40 of them.  Some of these men and women were known to me while others were not.  Among those profiled are Spyridon Louis, of whom I had no knowledge; Charlotte Cooper, a Wimbledon winning tennis player, whom I also did not know; Jim Thorpe, one I already knew; and many others including Jesse Owens; Mark Spitz; Nadia Comenici;  and Steve Redgrave to name just a few.


Young readers will, hopefully, be inspired by what they learn as they leaf through this illustrated title. Each entry is divided into easily read sections.  The achievements of the athletes are something to applaud.


Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

What a wonderful book for budding athletes.

As the names says this a book full of AMAZING athletes from all over the world, from 1873 to current times.

Accompanying the captivating yet simple illustrations of each athlete are interesting facts about their lives and achievements both in their sport and outside of it.

This is the perfect book for children aged 8-12 but also perfect for youth and adults alike.

A quick read filled with fact files of the 40 most incredible sporting icons alongside brilliant illustrations, it'll keep your mind occupied with wonder on how such amazing feats were accomplished. It suits its aim of educating people about lesser known icons like Mildred Zaharias, Madge Syers, Jim Thrope or Jonas Jacobsson and also brings to light the activism, recognition or feats of human excellence that they stood for.✨

Middle grade readers who are sports fans will enjoy reading the 40 profiles of amazing athletes from the past 100 years. Each profile includes interesting facts and information about what the athletes did after their sports career ended. Once I have a copy for my middle school library, I know exactly who I'll be recommending this book to read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this arc in exchange for an honest review.

40 Inspiring Icons: Amazing Athletes is amazing! The nonfiction formatting selected engages readers in legendary feats, successes, timeline, and so much more. Each athlete is honored across two pages and includes an illustration of the athlete. Some of the names I knew, but so many more athletes I learned about as I read the book. I found it so interesting to see successful athletes from the early 1900’s, especially the ankle length dress figure skater, Madge Syers wore in the 1908 Olympics. I will definitely include 40 inspiring Icons: Amazing Athletes in my classroom and foresee it as a selection that will consistently be checked out to my students! #Hottingerhighlights #NetGalley #40inspiringiconsamazingathletes

So beautifully illustrated and edited. I was so surprised and was not sure what to expect when reading this book. I learned so many amazing new things about impactful athletes and was so surprised to learn so much about some athletes that I thought I already knew so well. Highly recommend. Quick inspirational read. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Good addition on an already good series for kids to begin learning about exceptional people and their respective achievements in their own fields.