Last-place Lin by Wai Chim and Freda Chiu

A tribute to all those people who strive and don’t win, but keep on trying no matter what happens is given in this funny picture book about Lin and her involvement in her first sports' day. She is in the red team and so wears red shorts all through the day. She enters the sack race and the obstacle race, finding them difficult. She competes in the water balloon toss but finds it very hard. By then one child in the group has singled her out, calling her Last-Place Lin. But she keeps on trying. She is dragged through the mud in the tug of war, spits out dirt in the wheelbarrow race, gets all tangled up in the crab race, and despite her efforts still comes last. Again taunted by another member of the red team, a friend tells her not to worry. She still competes but when she drops the baton in the relay race, she takes herself away to hide.

But there is one last race to be involved in: the fun run. She needs to be encouraged to abandon her hiding place and she runs. She keeps going and finds that her name, Last-Place Lin becomes a mantra that helps one foot land after another. She sees others pass her but keeps on running. Eventually she realises that the noisy crowd is cheering her on. Elated, she runs on, and seeing the finishing line up ahead, strives to finish the race.

This is a positive story of encouragement and grit. Lin stands for never giving up, for finishing the race, for determination. This is a charming book to read aloud, encouraging the audience to empathise with the girl who always seems to come last, placing the mantle of never giving up on their shoulders.

Themes: Determination, Stickability, Encouragement, Self worth, Sports’ Days.

Fran Knight