Emma Twigg always loved sports and watching the Olympics as a child. In the early 2000’s Emma decided rowing was going to be her sport – and her dream of winning an Olympic Gold Medal began.

It was hard work, early mornings, trips away and competing in the hot sun of New Zealand summer regattas.

Emma decides she’d like to switch from team rowing to single sculls with international rowing events in her sights. She moved from her home in Hawkes Bay to train with the best – rowing 100’s of kms a week!

And then the call came she’d been working for – a place on the Olympic Team.

The work was hard before, but now the battle of her life is to come, bringing home an Olympic Gold medal.

This true story of a NZ Olympian is a fascinating behind the scenes view of an Olympian’s journey. Not once, not twice but again and again to achieve her dream.

The training, the determination, the race and the disappointment, over and over. The tension mounts as her passion to win builds through each Olympics – until she finally wins Gold! I felt like cheering! 

Author / Illustrator – Jessica Lawry

Age – 7+

Non-Fiction Picture Book

(2022, Upstart Press, NZ, New Zealand, Aotearoa, Olympic, Gold, Medal, Determination, Hard work, Practice, Dream, Achievement, Passion, Rowing, Sport)