Reviews

Fastest Woman on Earth: The story of Tatyana McFadden by Francesca Cavallo

lbeller7's review

4.0

This was a good introduction to Tatyana McFadden, disability, and the Paralympics for very young children. I think that even for a children's book, it could have gone deeper and discussed some of the tough stuff. I remember being a kid and playing sled hockey against Tatyana a few times a year. She was something else. I played goalie and she scored on me every time but once or twice. She was a force to be reckoned with. One of the things that made her story extra powerful was her adoption and her coming of age in a country where disability was not accepted at all. It was not all fun and games, walking around on her hands in the orphanage and kids in today's world are exposed to tough stuff all the time. If we want to teach about disability in a meaningful way, we need to show the whole experience, not sugar coat it. I still am happy to see Tatyana getting her story shared with even more of the world because she is a true bad ass.

*In exchange for an honest review, I received an advanced copy courtesy of Undercats Publishing and NetGalley.com.

kabirsbookshelf's review

5.0

"Fastest woman on Earth" is based on the true story of paralympic athlete Tatyana McFadden. This book is for kids but, even as an adult I enjoyed reading it. The story is told in such a smooth and easy to read manner that you can't stop reading until you finish.

The illustrator Luis San Vicente did an amazing job of illustrating this book. The illustrations are colorful and descriptive. Kids will love this book.

To keep the intended reader engaged, after they finish the book there is a special section with 5 medals which the reader can give to themselves after they do something their own way, that is a great addition to the book.

After reading this book I felt motivated and thought to myself that many people who are well and healthy get demotivated so easily. I cannot even think what Tatyana must've felt.
I was looking for a biography, which adults can read of Tatyana and there is one called if you're curious it's called "Ya Sama! Moments from My Life".

Thank You NetGalley!

_elisabelotti's review

5.0

Un libro per l'infanzia stupendo, come tutti i lavori di Francesca Cavallo. Le illustrazioni di Luis San Vincente sono molto belle e trasportano all'interno della storia. Parole e immagini sono unite da una forte attenzione per l'inclusione.

kdehaven's review

4.0

The Fastest Woman on Earth tells the story of Tatyana McFadden's childhood and early career. It begins with her childhood in Russia, how she was adopted, and then how she fell in love with sports. I'm so glad Cavallo has taken the story of Tatyana and told it in a way that's accessible to children. This is the sort of book I would have loved to have as a kid when I was getting into track and because my friend's little sister had spina bifida. This book tells the story of Tatyana who is the GOAT and deserves even greater recognition as an athlete while also exposing kids to disability. I read so many sports biographies as a kid, so I'm thankful to see more diverse stories being told. I would have liked for the book to cover more of her recent career, but maybe that would just be a good sequel.

pib003's review

5.0

Love that the fastest woman on earth ends up with 3 moms <3

miocenemama's review

5.0

Tatyana McFadden was born in Russia with spina bifida. She spent her early years in an orphanage when her mother was too poor to raise her. Unable to use her legs, she developed incredible upper body strength. When she is adopted by an American woman with her own disability, she gets her first wheelchair and develops a love for speed and racing, and goes on to win 17 medals in the Paralympics. This is her story written for children. It is beautiful and simple for a child to understand. I especially like the page with medals for children to award themselves for their own achievements

abigailbat's review

Inspiring biography of the Paralympic athlete Tatyana McFadden who was adopted as a young child in Russia by two women in the United States and went on to win 17 Paralympic medals. This is an excellent biography to have on your shelves, especially when it's Olympic/Paralympic time!

gmrickel's review

3.0

I didn't like the art, but I'm glad to know about this athlete. There are plenty of POC of Russia but everyone is drawn as white. There are SO few children's book with disabled characters/about/by people with disabilities. Tatyana was adopted, and based on one of the pages in the book has at least met her birth mom. As a birth parent that warms my heart. I've been listening to more adoptees about their adoption-related trauma lately, and I do have questions about the ethics of adoption, but that is a complicated topic that I'm setting aside right now for this review. For librarians highlighting this book, please DO NOT fall into the abelist trap that is inspiration porn. Yes, Tatyana is an amazing athlete, and yes she is disabled, but she is not MORE impressive because of her disability.

curiousmadra's review

4.0

This is a nice simple story for kids about a very successful Paralympian named Tatyana McFadden who suffers from spina bifida, abandoned in a orphanage in Russia and adopted by a two women couple. This book really shows that kids that either they have a physical, mental or none at all should be aware that they can be successful to make the world a better place. Whereas in Tatyana’s case, she may not have the ability to walk but she has the motivation, confidence, you name it to get to the top and that was to get into the Paralympics. Like seriously, FairPlay to her for gaining such a huge achievement !!

Thanks Netgalley and Undercats for easily sharing this book to check out!