On track by Kathryn Apel

[via Amazon]

Perfect for: 
Age: 9-12
Occasion: competitiveness, sibling rivalry, sports lovers
 
The other weekend I left the Bea with her (amazing and wonderful) Granny while I escaped on girls night away. In between wine, cheese, a quick ocean dip and more wine, we got to chatting about our kids and childhood more generally.

One of the girls happened to mention the competitiveness that comes as children approach their tween years. It's something I hadn't really thought about much, as the Bea is still so little (and I'm in the midst of the Toddler Tees - Tantrums, Toilet Training and Total-lack-of-sleep).

As we spoke, I thought about what a funny balance it is - on the one hand we encourage our children endlessly when they're little: "you're the greatest!" "you can do it!" "you're a superstar!" but as they get older, they also need to learn that others matter too - that they're not the only one who's the greatest or, even if they are, sometimes acting like the greatest isn't the kindest way to be.

I did a little more thinking about it after I'd returned home, and was curious to see if I could find a book about that. About working hard to be the best, but also realising that the competition isn't all that it's about and that working as a team and understanding others is important too.

Once again, our favourite bookstore came through, with On Track, by Kathryn Apel.

Told in prose, On Track tells the story of Shaun and Toby, brothers preparing for a sports day. Everything comes easily to Shaun, including sports. While he cannot wait for sport day and the competition that comes with it, Toby struggles - he's great with ideas but doesn't have the natural aptitude for competition that his brother does.

This is a great story about sibling rivalry, competition and learning that winning really isn't the only thing that matters.

Good for competitive kids and for those experiencing the joys of sibling rivalry.