• Age: 6 to 8
• Grade: 1 to 3
• Reading age: 6 to 8

Lucy has a new luge sled, but she isn’t sure about this unique sliding sport.

You have to lie on your back and steer with your legs? The luge track’s twists and turns look pretty scary too. But with her parents’ support and a bit of courage, Lucy jumps on her sled for a speedy adventure!

Lucy Tries Luge is the first book in the Lucy Tries Sports series, which aims to promote physical literacy and encourage young readers to get involved in sports. Research shows that developing fundamental movement and sports skills at a young age benefits kids for their entire lives, promoting an active and healthy lifestyle. Lisa Bowes developed her stories around the HIGH FIVE principles of healthy child development needed for quality programs, including the support of a caring adult, the opportunity to participate, to play, to make friends and to master skills.

Lisa Bowes is a sports anchor who made Canadian broadcasting history when she became the play-by-play voice for the National Women’s Hockey League. While working for CBC’s Sports Journal, she was nominated for a Gemini Award for best writing in an information program or series. In February 2010, Lisa was CTV’s host/reporter for women’s hockey at the Vancouver Olympic Winter Games. She currently works at CTV Calgary and freelances for TSN. For more information, visit www.bowesknowssports.com.

Lisa Bowes' profile page

James Hearne is an artist who loves illustrating books for children. He lives with his patient and amazing wife Paula and two beautiful daughters, Mikayla and Vicky, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He wonders how he got so lucky. James can be reached through his website www.jameshearnedesign.com

James Hearne's profile page

• Commended, CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens

"Playing sports and being active empowers girls for life. Lucy Tries Sports encourages girls to try a wide range of sports and teaches them valuable lessons in leadership, supporting one another, and working towards—and achieving—your goals through sport!"

Allison Sandmeyer-Graves, CEO at CAAWS (Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity)

&quotThe Lucy Tries Sports series is terrific for children! It inspires them to be physically active and reinforces so many aspects of their social skill development. A really positive assistance to parenting children.&quot

Dave King, Member of the Order of Canada, Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame and IIHF Hall of Fame inductee

“Lucy Tries Luge is a great book as it educates and introduces children to new sport opportunities. It gets them excited about sports, with a focus on moving, playing, and having fun!”

Arianne Jones, World Cup Luge Athlete and Olympian

"The illustrations are very well done by illustrator James Hearne. They are very colourful and stimulating for young children...The picture book does a good job at introducing children to the luge and what it is...This would be a great book to use in schools and library at storytime if there is a ‘winter sport’ themed week. This could be incorporated in a Winter Olympics curriculum or even a winter activity lesson. Children will stay engaged and have a fun time with this book."

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"Fitness should be fun, and the Lucy Tries Sports series is a shining example of that."

Eric Smith, television and Sportsnet Radio play-by-play voice of the Toronto Raptors

"Lucy Tries Luge is a lovely, rhyming tale by sports reporter, Lisa Bowes, that’s very sweetly illustrated by James Hearne. And as soon as I started reading it to my kids, my preschooler and kindergartener were enthralled…I love this story for many reasons, but mostly because it makes an Olympic-calibre sport attainable and understandable to a very young child. By making the logical comparison between luging and tobogganing, Bowes gives children a tangible connection to Lucy and her luge."

Stephanie Slate, Active for Life

"Lisa Bowes has captured the importance of kids having positive experiences in sport so they are active for life. I’d love to see all kids be like Lucy and hope parents are inspired to look for programs that focus on healthy child development."

LJ Bartle, Director, HIGH FIVE® National Standard

"We look forward to reading more about enthusiastic Lucy as she tries out different sports. Lisa has found a fun and unique way to introduce students to a variety of sports including facts about equipment, technique and sportsmanship. We love Lucy!"

Carole Shea, Exshaw School Library

"The Lucy Tries Sports series is an engaging and fun way to teach young children about sports. And we all know that if girls in particular have strong role models they're more likely to succeed. Lucy is exactly that!'

Hayley Wickenheiser, Five-Time Olympic Medalist

"The Lucy Tries Sports series teaches how sport is about fun and healthy competition. They also introduce various different sports to young kids and hopefully inspire them to stay active and healthy. I love that my kids can read the series in English and French. These books are a must for the entire family."

Catriona Le May Doan, OC and two time Olympic Speed Skating Champion

"This timely series helps promote the value of physical literacy and sport participation. Lucy truly reinforces ParticipACTION Canada's vision: To create a nation where physical activity is a vital part of everyday life."

Doug Mitchell, Chair, ParticipACTION Board of Directors

"Blammo! With her bright red hair swept into a ponytail, and a blue lightning bolt across her chest, Lucy is ready to hit the ice...Vivid, digitally colored illustrations offer close-ups of Lucy as she swishes, swooshes, and zooms down the track and across the finish line on her sled. A large font with select words in color will help young readers follow the text and build vocabulary...This invigorating story celebrates courage and the thrill that comes with participating in an exciting winter sport."

Booklist

"Lucy rocks! She's a great inspiration for any kid to get out and play."

James Duthie, TSN commentator and author

"Lucy's tale introduces readers to a sport not usually seen in children's literature, making this an interesting addition to stories about athletics or other winter activities...Told in an upbeat rhyming scheme which matches the fast pace of the story's action, this is a tale full of movement and energy that's perfect for reading aloud...The pictures offer a nice complement to the text...What makes the illustrative aspect of this story really outstanding are the pages detailing Lucy's slide down the luge track. Hearne has added a wonderful blurred effect to these images, highlighting the speedy action of the scene and making the story come alive with the exhilaration of Lucy's adventure...An excellent story about trying something new. Lucy's zest for activity, courage to face her fears, and excitement for the sport of luge make this an entertaining and motivating read. Highly Recommended."

CM Magazine