Race with Me!

Narrated by Andre De Grasse, Race with Me! is a nonfiction book for elementary-aged children featuring the Canadian sprinter who is well-known for racing for Canada. After an introduction on who he is and why he runs, De Grasse explains how he trains physically and mentally, and how different coaches and teammates have either inspired him or motivated him throughout school and in different events as he was growing up. He doesn't just focus on the wins though. He explains how positive self-talk and having dreams and goals got him through some tough times when he needed to be brave. He ties these feelings into topics children can relate to such as giving speeches in class or looking different from classmates. Full-page colour photographs are labeled and appear on every second page after cartoon-styled artwork that complements the text below. The art shows him as a child, teen, and adult. Most of the settings are on a playing field or at a sports event. Back materials include two pages of pictures and stories that are about Andre's foundation and advice for readers on how to imagine yourself winning and doing your best. Race with Me!, an up-beat book, will appeal to children who enjoy reading about Canadian sports heroes or the Olympics.