“We Are Girls Who Love To Run” Book Review/Giveaway

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.

{ 56 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Sally July 28, 2008 at 12:04 pm

I can no longer run as I am disabled, but I remember how I loved it.
smilingsal55[at]yahoo[dot]com

2 Kelsey July 28, 2008 at 1:27 pm

Sounds wonderful!!

3 alicia July 28, 2008 at 3:47 pm

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).

4 Nicol July 28, 2008 at 4:24 pm

Sounds like a great book! I want my dd to know that she can do anything she puts her mind to!

5 Toblerone @ Simple Mom July 28, 2008 at 4:26 pm

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.

6 Go Amie July 28, 2008 at 5:09 pm

I didn’t run as a kid, but I played soccer. I think encouraging girls to be athletic is to important! Thanks.

7 Terra Heck July 28, 2008 at 8:12 pm

I would like to win this for my 8 year old step-daughter who loves to run.

8 Melissa July 28, 2008 at 8:29 pm

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!

9 tangie c July 28, 2008 at 9:22 pm

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.

10 Kimberly V. July 28, 2008 at 10:10 pm

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!!!!

11 Qtpies7 July 28, 2008 at 10:47 pm

I have an 11yo daughter who enjoys reading and artwork. I know she would enjoy the book.

12 Susan C July 28, 2008 at 11:17 pm

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.

13 Cindi July 29, 2008 at 12:59 am

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

14 Tara R July 29, 2008 at 1:11 am

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.

15 Fedora July 29, 2008 at 2:12 am

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!

16 CanCan (Mom Most Traveled) July 29, 2008 at 4:13 am

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

17 Nikki July 29, 2008 at 8:51 am

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/

18 killlashandra July 29, 2008 at 9:04 am

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. :)

19 maggie July 29, 2008 at 9:41 am

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.

20 Mama Zen July 29, 2008 at 9:47 am

I would love to win this for my niece!

21 Dani' July 29, 2008 at 10:24 am

People keep saying my oldest should run track so she may like this.

22 Lindsie July 29, 2008 at 10:38 am

My daughter would love this book!

23 kristen July 29, 2008 at 10:52 am

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

24 Sandra July 29, 2008 at 11:04 am

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

25 Ginny July 29, 2008 at 2:06 pm

I have a 10 year old daughter, she might enjoy this book!

26 Mary_Freebies July 29, 2008 at 7:17 pm

I never participated in a marathon, and I would really love to do it, especially to raise money for cancer awareness.

27 Reiza July 29, 2008 at 8:05 pm

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.

28 Caryn B July 29, 2008 at 8:55 pm

Count me in please!! I’d love this for my BF’s little girl!

29 reeva July 29, 2008 at 9:14 pm

my son would love this

Great giveaway! I hope i’m the lucky winner :)

30 Shay July 29, 2008 at 11:41 pm

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!

31 Christina July 30, 2008 at 12:48 am

cool book!

32 lace July 30, 2008 at 1:00 am

I think my niece would love this book. She rarely walks anywhere.

33 C Duran July 30, 2008 at 1:50 am

I think this would be a great book for my niece. Thanks for the giveaway!

34 Chelsey July 30, 2008 at 2:34 am

My daughter would love the book!

35 Colleen July 30, 2008 at 11:39 am

Sweet story! I do know a few little girls that love to run! Hope you have a great week.

36 Gina July 30, 2008 at 12:05 pm

My daughters would love this story, they love to run! Thanks!
lyricandariasmom[at]gmail[dot]com

37 Karen July 30, 2008 at 12:45 pm

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.

38 Audrey July 30, 2008 at 2:46 pm

Your description sounds as if this is a motivational book. What a wonderful gift for a pre teen girl.

39 AJ July 30, 2008 at 3:14 pm

My daughter would love this book. She’s expressed interest in runny with daddy.

40 Sandra July 30, 2008 at 6:16 pm

Would be great for my neighbor girl who has just come up to school track.

41 Jeanine July 30, 2008 at 6:54 pm

My baby sister just started track, she has always been such a tomboy she would love this book.

42 Ilissa H. July 30, 2008 at 8:22 pm

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.

43 Erin July 30, 2008 at 8:52 pm

My daughter is almost 8 and she would love this!

44 Davina Perret July 30, 2008 at 10:12 pm

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

45 Naomi July 31, 2008 at 1:08 am

My daughter would love to read about girls who like to run, she’s always running somewhere or other!

46 Michele July 31, 2008 at 6:14 am

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

47 Tara Hill July 31, 2008 at 10:27 am

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!

48 judy brittle July 31, 2008 at 1:25 pm

I would love to give this book to my daughter. Thank you so much!

49 meemer July 31, 2008 at 4:03 pm

sounds like a great book, coming from a girl who can run. i wish i had been inspired a little earlier in life.

50 micaela6955 (Michele P.) July 31, 2008 at 11:03 pm

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!

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