Last-Place Lin by Wai Chim, Freda Chiu (illustrator) Published by Allen & Unwin on 2023
Genres: Picture Book
Format: Hardcover
Source: Personal book collection
“It’s Sports Day!” – does that phrase fill your children (or you) with excitement or dread?
Last-Place Lin by Wai Chim and Freda Chiu (Allen & Unwin, 2023) is a picture book for all those kids who feel daunted by sports carnivals or any other event or situation where winning seems unlikely – or impossible – and success really is measured by your willingness to take part and do your best.
Lin is fired up to support her team house (Go Red!) and take part in the different carnival activities, but no matter how hard she tries, she comes last. It would be so easy to give up, but she wants to join in and she is encouraged by others to keep going. Her achievement isn’t gaining a place on the podium, it’s finishing what she started, staying positive, and doing her best no matter what.
This story is all about valuing effort and participation. It is also a reminder for the kids who do end up on the podium to encourage and support others.
Wai Chim draws on her own experience as a competitor in 2021 Australian Survivor: Brains v Brawn to remind readers that participation, determination and perseverance matter. Freda Chiu’s illustrations are appealing and portray a very Australian sports day. They include a broad range of ethnicity, abilities and appearance characteristics in the participating students.
A fun, encouraging story to remind us all that effort and participation matter.
Be First to Comment