Each slender, attractive volume in the Amazing Summer Olympics series (8 titles) presents the basic elements of one sport featured in the Olympics taking place this summer in Paris, beginning in late July. An Olympic sport since 1896, fencing has a history that arose from sword fighting and evolved into sporting matches between individual competitors or teams of fencers. An excellent full-page photo appears on each double-page spread. Gish introduces the types of sharp blades used today, the events’ rules, the protective clothing and masks, and the scoring of the Olympic fencing events, each named for the type of blade used: foil, saber, and épée. Every book within the series spotlights one athlete competing in this year’s Olympics, such as fencer Romain Cannone. A brief, handsome book introducing Olympic fencing.

Stunning photos paired with short, simple text make this series stand out. Though each book limns the history of the sport in question, the focus is on recent Olympic athletes, like Katie Ledecky, current record holder for medals (10) among female Olympic swimmers. Action-packed photos provide intriguing details and complement the text.An amazing photo in Athletics captures the intense moment when a group of runners approach the hurdles and water barrier in the women’s steeplechase event. The main drawback of these books is their brevity; though well-chosen photos add to the telling. VERDICT Appealing and accessible to a wide audience, this is sure to build interest in the upcoming Summer Olympics in Paris.