Earlier in the summer my seven year old, Megan, asked if one day she could join me on a run. I hadn’t given much thought before about letting her accompany me on an early morning run (which I selfishly guard as “me time”) but ever since completing the Detroit Free Press Half Marathon with my mom last fall (my dad ran the marathon and my sister ran the 5k) I’ve had hopes that Megan might follow in my footsteps and experience the thrill of running for herself.
Which is why I was excited to discover Brianna Grant’s book, We Are Girls Who Love to Run. We Are Girls Who Love to Run is a beautiful picture book celebrating the inward and outward achievements of a young female runner. The author takes a holistic approach to running and emphasizes teamwork, confidence and the importance of caring for our bodies.
We Are Girls Who Love to Run is written in both English and Spanish. It is geared for 9-12 year olds but it will appeal universally to female runners of all ages.
About the Author
Brianna was inspired to write We Are Girls Who Love to Run after coming in contact with students in her third grade classroom who ran with Girls on the Run International. We Are Girls Who Love To Run was self-published by Brianna under Balanced Steps LLC – “engaging bodies and minds to achieve goals.” In addition to being a writer, educator and self-published author, Brianna is a mom. She even finds time to blog.
Win It! I have one signed copy of We Are Girls Who Love to Run to give to one of you. Maybe you know a girl who loves to run…or maybe you are that girl. Either way leave me a comment relating to this post (ie. who you think would like this book or a question/comment for Brianna) and I will enter you in the drawing (one entry per person). The giveaway will end at 5 p.m. on Friday, August 8th. I will notify the winner via e-mail. Want more giveaways? Join in on the fun at the Bloggy Giveaways Carnival all this week.
Scroll down to read a special guest post written by Brianna. You might even be inclined to lace up your own running shoes and join her as a girl who loves to run.



{ 1 trackback }
{ 56 comments… read them below or add one }
I can no longer run as I am disabled, but I remember how I loved it.
smilingsal55[at]yahoo[dot]com
Sounds wonderful!!
My daughter has Cystic Fibrosis and consistent exercise is key to extending life and quality of life. Things like running and gymnastics are really wonderful because the pounding helps break up thick secretions that clog airways. Even though Samantha is only 2, it is my prayer for her that she will love running. My husband runs, and I am a walker (who dreams of being a runner).
Sounds like a great book! I want my dd to know that she can do anything she puts her mind to!
My daughter is a bundle of energy, and I want her to stay that way! I know exercise will do that. And I want to be a better example of that.
I didn’t run as a kid, but I played soccer. I think encouraging girls to be athletic is to important! Thanks.
I would like to win this for my 8 year old step-daughter who loves to run.
This looks like a great book. I completed the Chicago Marathon in 2000, and I’d love to inspire my girls to do the same! Thanks for the giveaway!
I am a teacher and I think some of my students would benefit from reading that book. I always look for books that give them a positive message about themselves and life.
My daughter has wanted to join the track team for years now but she’s not old enough yet. She has to wait until next year.
This would be something she would love.
Thanks!!!!
I have an 11yo daughter who enjoys reading and artwork. I know she would enjoy the book.
Well, I am not a girl who loves to run, but I have a 10 year old niece who does. She would enjoy this book, I am sure.
What a wonderful book for girls. I see the cross country and track girls running by our house all of the time. We have a middle school very close to us. I do know exactly to whom this book would be given! Please enter me in your drawing. I really appreciate it! Thanks, Cindi
My daughter is only 19 months old but I would hope that she would enjoy running… unlike her mother
I am so very impressed that you ran a marathon. Wow.
What a terrific book! My daughter is pretty active, but we haven’t tried running yet–she does love to read, so maybe this book would show her how much fun running can be, too!
Very cool! I would love to have this book to empower the girls I know to be Girls Who Run!
onlycancan at hotmail dot com
My girl princess loves to run. She always asks me to count how long it takes her to run from one side of the yard to the other. I hope that she can always keep that will to do what she loves doing. Even if it might be running.
Please enter me.
Nikki
homeschooling mom of 6
Angelheart135@aol.com
Come and enter my contest. You can win lesson plans on apples, the 2008 elelction or math games.
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Angelheart/
What a great book! My step daughter runs track now that she is in high school and loves it. Given her age, I still think she’d like to read this book to her little brother, he’s 3.
As a third grade teacher of students who participate on Girls on the Run, I can’t tell you how many students of mine would love this book. It would make a great addition to our classroom and, I am sure, an instant favorite for many of my girls.
I would love to win this for my niece!
People keep saying my oldest should run track so she may like this.
My daughter would love this book!
this book is perfect for my lil girl . . . i’m cracking up because we always laugh how she RUNS everywhere . . . the girl never walks! thanks!
ryankristenwilson(at)msn(dot)com
Running is a big part of our family life. My husband and son are addicted to it. I would love to read this book.
owatz (AT) telus (dot) net
I have a 10 year old daughter, she might enjoy this book!
I never participated in a marathon, and I would really love to do it, especially to raise money for cancer awareness.
I would love to win this for my girls. I love finding books that portray strong girls rather than princesses in frilly dresses who don’t do much of anything.
Count me in please!! I’d love this for my BF’s little girl!
my son would love this
Great giveaway! I hope i’m the lucky winner
I used to run everyday at least three miles……now I don’t even have time to go walking! lol Thanks! Stop by my site I’m giving away a Princess Bracelet made by yours truely!
cool book!
I think my niece would love this book. She rarely walks anywhere.
I think this would be a great book for my niece. Thanks for the giveaway!
My daughter would love the book!
Sweet story! I do know a few little girls that love to run! Hope you have a great week.
My daughters would love this story, they love to run! Thanks!
lyricandariasmom[at]gmail[dot]com
I got married before I finished college (12 years ago) as my new at the time husband was in the Navy and we were moving around a lot. We ended up 500 miles from “home” where we live now. My college roommate and her husband were just transferred to a large town that is only 150 miles from here, and while that isn’t “close”, it is closer than my other friends or family. Anyway, she is running her first marathon in 6 weeks, and is training with her daughter in a “running” stroller daily. They both love it. I would love to win this book (or buy it) and be at the finish line of that race and present it to her. Thanks so much for suggesting it, I had not heard of it before.
Your description sounds as if this is a motivational book. What a wonderful gift for a pre teen girl.
My daughter would love this book. She’s expressed interest in runny with daddy.
Would be great for my neighbor girl who has just come up to school track.
My baby sister just started track, she has always been such a tomboy she would love this book.
I’ve been trying to get into running (starting with walking) and I love reading children’s books. I am a childcare provider so this would also be a great book to read to the children I look after. Thanks for the chance.
My daughter is almost 8 and she would love this!
I am an avid runner and have high hopes that my children will love it later in life as well. This sounds like an awesome and unique book to have in our house.
thanks,
Davina
Please check out my giveaway at http://www.toddlertailoring.blogspot.com
My daughter would love to read about girls who like to run, she’s always running somewhere or other!
What a fabulous book this sounds like!!! This would be great for my little niece, Amanda!!! She’s so full of energy!!
Thanks so much!
Michele(CA)
luvkittysmeowmail@gmail.com
I have two friends that are adopting a girl from Ethiopia. They are big runners and I would love to give this to her. They have two boys that run with them already! Thanks!
I would love to give this book to my daughter. Thank you so much!
sounds like a great book, coming from a girl who can run. i wish i had been inspired a little earlier in life.
While my daughter is only 6, and we don’t run-I think this book is an excellent choice for the bilingual Spanish/English feature. Thanks for having this giveaway!
Unfortunately, I have severe psoriatic arthritis and can barely walk a block anymore, but my 16 yr old daughter loves to go for runs.
We live on an island so there is always a coastline for her to run on. I think she would love this book.
Great giveaway, thankyou.
I am a runner wannabee who has done a few very slow 5ks. I wish I had started running when I was young. If I win, I hope this book will inspire my daughter to run with me. Thanks!
rlgrady [at] yahoo dot com
My daughter who does cross country would love this.
Those interested in this book might also like to know about Girls on the Run . I’ve just gotten to know this organization because I ran with and encouraged some of their members in a recent 5K race. GOTR encourages preteen and older girls to train for and run a 5K, helping them to gain self-esteem, etc. I’d be thrilled to see both my granddaughters doing this at some point in the near future.
This looks really lovely – and I bet my wonderful little niece would absolutely love it. She’s such a bundle of energy – maybe this would give her a good outlet!
I’d love to give this to my daughter. She loves running. She said it’s peaceful and a time to reflect and think.