"Tina Tumbles" is children's picture book about a spunky, fun-loving girl named Tina who discovers the excitement of gymnastics while watching gymnasts flip across the television screen. Once Tina starts flipping, there is no turning back. She eats, sleeps, and breathes gymnastics, determined to master her skills. But sometimes things are not as easy as they look. Tina tries and she tries, but she just cannot land on her feet.
Ultimately, this story is about building self-esteem, motivation, focus, and perseverance-all of the qualities which help kids succeed in reaching their goals, whatever they may be. It is about working so hard and refusing to quit, no matter how impossible things may seem. Many kids and adults can relate to this story because Tina begins gymnastics the very same way most gymnasts do-on the furniture in their home until Mom and Dad realize the gym is a much better and safer place to flip than on the couch or swing set. Tina Tumbles also comes with a fun picture glossary of basic gymnastics shapes designed by the illustrator-fun for kids who are not yet involved with the sport but want to be, and of course, for those already taking lessons. Author Danielle Soucy Mills created Tina while she was a graduate student at Chapman University, drawing inspiration from her childhood as a gymnast and the kids she encountered every day as a gymnastics coach. Her dream of being a published author was close to coming true as "Tina Tumbles" was picked up by a publisher and Tina came to life on the page by children's book illustrator Kimberly Soderberg. But like Tina's first attempt at a cartwheel, the project came to a crash landing.Videos