Fred Flips

K-Gr 3–Charismatic, athletic Olympic medalist Frederick Richard tells how he was born with “gymnastics in his bones!” Illustrations show him flipping in his crib, off the couch, and eventually in the gym. In simple, straightforward language he describes how it felt to be a boy in a group of mostly girls, and to be Bkacj and so dark-skinned that even his friends joked about it and said, “He’s disappeared in the dark!” Listening to his father’s advice that it is okay to shine rather than blend in, Richards assures his friends: “You’ll definitely see me on the podium!” Images capture him in action as he does backflips and pike handstands with perfect form. A series of vignettes demonstrates the skills of balance, strength, and flexibility as he works on the pommel horse, rings, and floor exercises. Some words are in all capitals for emphasis, such as when he decides “to FLIP the script, literally.” A last spread depicts him with an Olympic medal and offers details about his participation in the 2024 Paris Olympics.