If your gymnast loves to read, there are so many amazing gymnastics books to inspire, encourage, and entertain them. From picture books for preschoolers to chapter books for older kids, these gymnastics stories help gymnasts build confidence, overcome fear, and dream big. We’ve rounded up the best gymnastics books for kids and teens — including picture books, biographies of famous gymnasts, and chapter book series your gymnast will love.

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Reading List for Younger & Older Gymnasts

Best Gymnastics Books for Kids and Teens [Comparison Table]

Tip: Use the table above to quickly find the best gymnastics books by age and type, then read our in-depth reviews below.

Gymnastics Books for Younger Gymnasts (Ages 4-8)

Here is a review of some gymnastics picture books.

Pro tip: Pair any picture book with a small gift from our Gymnastics Gift Guide for an easy birthday or meet-day surprise.

I Will Try

Check it out on Amazon here.

Target Reader: 4-8 years

This book has by far the simplest sentences to make it great for a beginning reader. 

My 1 year old daughter loves to have this book read to her over and over because of the super cute pictures.  It’s a simple story about Ella trying at gymnastics class with encouragement from her friend Jan.

 

She’s Got This

Check it out on Amazon here.

Target Reader: 6-8 years

This book is good for an intermediate reader. 

She’s Got This is a book written by Laurie Hernandez, a Gold Medal- winning Olympic gymnast on the 2016 Olympic team. The story is about Zoe, who goes to gymnastics class and falls and gets scared to go back. See how she learns to conquer her fear. This book is good for any gymnast dealing with fear for the first time. It also has nice illustrations!

 

Tina Tumbles

Check it out on Amazon here.

Target Reader: 5-8 years

This book is good for an intermediate reader. The sentences are more advanced with some bigger words. 

Your gymnast will enjoy the story of Tina, who starts doing gymnastics at home without much success, and eventually goes to gymnastics class. This book has decent illustrations too.

 

 

Gymnastics Jump

Check it out on Amazon here.

Target Reader: 4-6 years

Very simple words that are great for a beginner reader. 

Young gymnasts will enjoy this simple story about Lily’s first gymnastics meet. It has cute illustrations that make it fun to read over and over.

 

 

 

DK Readers Level 1: First Day at Gymnastics

Check it out on Amazon here.

Target Reader: 5-7 years

This book has more complex sentences than Gymnastics Jump and I Will Try. 

This book gives a play-by-play of Jenny’s first gymnastics class. It has real pictures instead of illustrations.

 

 

 

Nadia The Girl Who Couldn’t Sit Still

Check it out on Amazon here.

Target Reader: 6-9 years

This is definitely a more complex picture book. It has advanced sentences and is more advanced subject matter since it goes over the history of Nadia Comaneci’s start in gymnastics. 

This book is good for an older gymnast that enjoys picture books. It tells the story of Nadia, a young girl from Romania, who starts gymnastics and goes on to earn perfect 10s at the 1976 Olympic Games. The pictures are fun and it’s an engaging story, with more historical details than most picture books.

 

 

Flying High The Story of Gymnastics Champion Simone Biles

Check it out on Amazon here.

Target Reader: 4-8 years

This is a lyrical picture book depicting the life of gymnastics GOAT champion, Simone Biles.

Readers will see the life struggles Simone faced growing up along with the trials and tribulations she faced throughout her gymnastics career.

Gymnastics Books for Older Gymnasts (Ages 8-14)

Below you will find reviews of gymnastics books for older gymnasts.

More gift ideas (stocking stuffers to big splurges): see our Gymnastics Gift Guide »

Perfect Balance Gymnastics Series: I’ve Got This, Book 1

Check it out on Amazon here.

Target Reader:   8-12 years
Easy flowing read for gymnasts within target range.  Word choices appropriate and will engage readers of all ages. Great for readers who enjoy reading a series with familiar characters – elementary and middle schoolers!

Gymnasts will enjoy this story of Trista, an 8-year-old who decides she wants to try gymnastics with only tumbling experience.  She is new to town,  new to the sport, and determined to make the Level 3 compulsory team.  Along the way, she realizes that there is a lot more to gymnastics than just tumbling, but with hard work and persistency, Trista’s motto is “I’ve got this!” and gymnasts will love to see her progress over the summer.

You can also read our interview with the author, Melisa Torres, and guide to the other books in the series.

 

Gymnastics Jitters

Check it out on Amazon here.

Target Reader: 8-11 years
Easy flow for readers of all ages.  Glossary provided in the back for words that may need a definition.  Writing prompts provided as well.  Great for elementary and middle schoolers!

Sportsmanship is a huge part of gymnastics.  Gymnasts will enjoy this story of how the Raiders Gymnastics Team overcame bullying, good sportsmanship, the power of visualization and positive self talk and taking the higher road in challenging situations.

 

 

 

Balance Beam Boss

Check it out on Amazon here.

Target Reader: 8-11 years
Easy flow for readers of all ages.  Glossary provided in the back for words that may need a definition.  Writing prompts provided as well.  Great for elementary and middle schoolers!

Every gymnast will face an injury at some point in her career.  Gymnasts will enjoy this story of 12-year-old Sophia, who was used to being the best, and her journey of overcoming an injury that resulted in a mental block on her strongest event. This book is a great resource for normalizing mental blocks and teaches gymnasts to talk to a parent, coach, or friend when fear is affecting their performance to reduce risk of further injury.

 

The Story of Simone Biles

Check it out on Amazon here.

Target Reader: 6-9 years
Provides words that may have questions or younger readers may not know/bigger words in bold print to easily find in the glossary. Questions to engage the reader throughout the book. Words and topics broken down for younger readers. Great for upper elementary & middle school readers!

Younger gymnasts will enjoy this journey of highlights of Simone Biles’ life in chronological order with detailed timelines.  Discover the sacrifices she made to become the greatest gymnast of all time. This book is easier to read for younger gymnasts than Trailblazers: Simone Biles.

 

 

Trailblazers: Simone Biles Golden Girl of Gymnastics

Check it out on Amazon here.

Target Reader: 8-12 years
More in-depth with more detailed information that readers may have questions about. Slightly choppy that may be confusing for younger readers, as it switches between the story, details about the history of gymnastics, specific information about events and other gymnasts within Simone’s story. Provides a glossary for terms that may be unfamiliar.  Great for older middle schoolers!
*This book does contain some slightly detailed information regarding the USAG scandal that may lead to questions for young readers.*

In this detailed account of Simone Biles’ life, gymnasts will also embark on a journey of learning the history of gymnastics and the Olympics and how the sport has progressed for women over the years.  This book provides readers with a descriptive timeline of Simone’s life, from birth to preparing for the 2020 Olympics – the sacrifices it required to be the best.

Gymnastics Academy Series: Best Friends Forever Book 6

Check it out on Amazon here.

Target Readers: 6-13 years
Easy read with shorter chapters to keep readers engaged. Illustrations are also included to assist with encouraging the reader’s imagination. Great for all ages, especially since they can watch the Netflix series for further engagement.

This series is based off of the Netflix hit gymnastics series Gymnastics Academy: A Second Chance Season 2. Best Friends Forever! is the first of the 3 book series for Season 2 of the Netflix series. Join the girls as they return to Coreega Gymnastics Academy after summer break to see what the girls get into next!

 

 

The Gymnast

Check it out on Amazon here.

Target Readers: 8-14 years

Great for elementary and middle schoolers! Chapter book with longer length. Challenges of changing gyms, bullying from old teammates and finding your place within a new gym.

Join the story of 14-year-old Riley who adores beam and vault as she faces the challenges of changing gyms and overcoming obstacles of bullying from her old teammates.

 

 

 

Fierce

Check it out on Amazon here.

Target Readers: 12+ years

Excerpts from Aly’s journals over the years. Great for middle schoolers. Chapter book with heartfelt emotions throughout Aly’s gymnastics career.

From her first mommy & me class to competing in 2 Olympics, Aly Raisman shows readers a glimpse into her gymnastics journey. Her ultimate teaching – learning how competing for herself made the world of difference in her career.

 

Gymnastics Books FAQ

What are the best gymnastics books for beginners?

For younger gymnasts (ages 4–7), picture books like I Will Try, Gymnastics Jump, and First Day at Gymnastics are great choices. They use simple words, fun illustrations, and relatable stories to keep new readers engaged while introducing them to gymnastics.

What gymnastics books are good for 8–12 year olds?

Chapter books such as the Perfect Balance Gymnastics Series, Gymnastics Jitters, and Balance Beam Boss  are perfect for older elementary and middle school gymnasts. These books feature realistic stories about practice, meets, sportsmanship, and overcoming challenges in gymnastics.

Are there gymnastics books written by Olympians?

Yes! Olympians like Laurie Hernandez and Aly Raisman have written inspiring books for young readers. Laurie’s She’s Got This is a picture book about resilience, while Aly’s memoir Fierce is geared toward older readers (ages 12+). Simone Biles’ story is also available in several formats, from picture books to detailed biographies.

Where can I buy gymnastics books online?

Most gymnastics books are available on Amazon, and some can be found in bookstores or through gymnastics specialty shops. You can also check local libraries for popular titles like Tina Tumbles or the Perfect Balance series.

Which gymnastics books are best for confidence and mindset?

Books like She’s Got This and Gymnastics Jitters teach gymnasts about overcoming fear, dealing with nerves, and using positive self-talk. Pairing these with tools like the GymnasticsHQ Mindset & Meet Journal can help reinforce confidence and growth mindset at home.

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