A children’s sports coach has released the first in what she hopes will be a series of books promoting positive experiences of sport for children.
‘Emily wins the race’ is Laurel Le Tocq’s debut book, telling the story of a little girl who overcomes her nerves to take part in a running race at her school sports day.
Ms Le Tocq runs a preschool multisports business called Little Champs and said the book was “a simple story of courage and determination, of anxiety and pride, acknowledging all the emotions children will experience as they begin to take part in competitive sports”.
“Looking beneath the surface.. the book is also a lesson in overcoming anxiety, trying your best, enjoying the feeling of competition, and making friendships through sport,” said Ms Le Tocq, who trains around 130 children between the ages of two and four every week.
“I’ve started with the Emily character purposely to try to engage younger girls, who drop out of sport at twice the rate of boys by the time they reach their teens. Positive early experiences of sport are crucial for long term participation, so I wanted to write a very positive story about a little girl achieving in, and enjoying, sport,” she said.
The sports coach turned author grew up competing for Guernsey, from primary school age through to her mid-twenties.
“There’s something very special about being part of a sports team, whether you’re winning or losing. The more I can do to encourage children into sport the better.”
Ms Le Tocq is already planning the next book and has started writing a story about a little boy taking part in his first wheelchair basketball match.
“Sport is, and should always be, accessible to all children. My next book will highlight that in a fun and exciting way.”
‘Emily wins the race’ is available to buy at the Writer’s Block in the Arcade.