The Gymnastics Book

[Review for previous edition] Colorful photos and pleasing layout … very eye catching. But there is also plenty of information to go along with the clean design … An excellent introduction to the sport.–Denise Wilms”Booklist” (05/01/2001) [Review for previous edition] An informative, visually appealing guide for any child who is interested in this popular sport. Highly recommended.–Michelle Brian, Librarian, Faculty of Education, U”Canadian Materials” (11/16/2012) [Review for previous edition] Getting a child started in a gymnastics program can be confusing for the parent. Terminology, exercises and safety are all concerns and so it is nice to start off with a well-written guide book to familiarize yourself… With colour photographs throughout, the book provides a step-by-step guide to getting started. Accompanying the photographs are descriptions of the warm-up exercises, basic skills, and cool down stretches. Schlegel also discusses competition training and profiles a number of important gymnasts.–Terry Peters”North Shore News” (04/07/2013) [Review for previous edition] [STARRED REVIEW] An excellent book in every way … Best of all, the book is accessible to early readers. Superb coverage of a popular sport.–Kate Kohlbeck”School Library Journal” (04/01/2001) [Review for previous edition] Goes beyond basics… proper techniques for basic moves on the balance beam, vault and uneven bars are illustrated with color photographs.–Jenna Galley”Trenton Times” (08/11/2004)

Elfi Schlegel was a member of the Canadian National Team from 1976 to 1985, won two gold medals at the 1978 Commonwealth Games and in 1979 won a team gold and individual bronze medal at the Pan Am Games. Elfi won Canada’s only World Cup gymnastics medal, a bronze in the vault, in 1980. As a scholarship athlete at the University of Florida, she was a six-time All-American. Elfi got her start as a gymnastics commentator at the age of 17 and worked for CTV and CBC. For the past 20 years, she has been a sports commentator for NBC Sports, covering 11 Olympics, as well as countless other gymnastics meets, and the sport of curling. Elfi lives in Toronto, Ontario.

Claire Ross Dunn is a journalist and writer for television. In 2014 she was nominated for the Canadian Screen Award for best writing in a children’s or youth programme.