The Horn Book Guide

SPORTS

Phelps, Michael

How to Train with a T. Rex and Win 8 Gold Medals

32 pp. | Simon | June, 2009 | Trade ISBN 978-1-4169-8669-0 $17.99

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Ward Jenkins. With Alan Abrahamson. Phelps enthusiastically explains his hard work: "My legs could press three hundred pounds sixty times in one workout...I could leg-press a Tyrannosaurus Rex and ten velociraptors!" It's a creative approach, though the multitude of numbers and examples can be more confusing than illuminating. Cartoony digital illustrations of Michael (and bulldog Herman) accomplishing incredible things give readers plenty to look at.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Smith