A01=Thushanthi Ponweera
A12=Maithili Joshi
athlete
Author_Maithili Joshi
Author_Thushanthi Ponweera
book for boys and girls
Category=YNB
Category=YNM
Category=YNW
Category=YNWG
courage
eq_bestseller
eq_childrens
eq_isMigrated=1
eq_isMigrated=2
eq_nobargain
eq_teenage-young-adult
Olympics
perseverance
picture book about an Olympian
picture book about sports
runner
sports
Sri Lanka
success
Product details
- ISBN 9781454950189
- Weight: 540g
- Dimensions: 260 x 260mm
- Publication Date: 05 Jun 2025
- Publisher: Union Square & Co.
- Publication City/Country: US
- Product Form: Hardback
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An inspiring nonfiction picture book about the courage and perseverance of 1964 Sri Lankan Olympian Ranatunge Karunananda, and the ways in which we define success. Sri Lankan soldier Ranatunge Karunananda is the first runner to ever represent his country in the 10,000-meter race in the Olympic Games. Despite the lack of support and resources, Karu stands on the track in Japan, determined to represent Sri Lanka and his family well. As the race begins and the other runners lap Karu time and again, he presses on despite objections, winning not the race but the hearts of the 70,000-person crowd, and inspiring people across the world to stay steadfast in the race for their dreams.
Thushanthi Ponweera is a children’s book author and poet from Sri Lanka. She is the author of I Am Kavi, a middle grade novel in verse, as well as the picture book My Best Friend’s Bangles, illustrated by Maithili Joshi. She currently resides in Qatar with her husband and children. She invites you to visit her online at thushanthiponweera.com.Maithili Joshi is a South Asian illustrator and designer based in New York City. She grew up in Pune, and she was drawn to the art of book making from a young age. Since graduating from the School of Visual Arts, she has been working with various publishers to create illustrations for picture books, while also designing MG/YA novel covers with Scholastic, where she works full time. Her illustrated works include Rainbow Bangles by Thushanthi Ponweera, which was a JLG Gold Standard Selection. Maithili enjoys the sun, ice cream, and long city walks. She invites you to visit her online at maithiliart.com.
