Lisa Carrington Chases a Champion

This picture book begins with eight-year-old Lisa at Ohope Beach, catching waves on her surf ski. Her surf club coach and family encourage her to enter races in the upcoming surf carnival. At first, Lisa struggles with self-doubt, but with encouragement and guidance, she makes a training plan and sticks to it. However, in one training session, Lisa is dumped feeling like she’s fighting Tangaroa in the Moana, and loses some gear. This knocks her confidence and for a few days, she avoids training. Mental fortitude comes to the fore, Lisa competes and as they say: The rest is history.

Scott Pearson uses bright colours to illustrate this story. Some double-page spreads are a collage of training plans, exercises, or positive thoughts. For this reason, reading this book to a large group may not work. It could be used in smaller groups for discussing resilience, motivation, and working hard to achieve one’s goals.

The last pages include a letter to her audience extolling the benefits of reading and why she does it: for relaxation and inspiration; and fun facts e.g. favourite snack: dates with peanut butter.

Most New Zealanders will have heard of Lisa, NZ’s most successful Olympian. This biographical story from her early sporting endeavours is a delight to read, whether used to motivate budding sport stars or not.

This book is also available in Maori: Ko Lisa Carrington Me Te Toa Whakaihuwaka.