*Shortlisted for the Charles Tyrwhitt Children's Sports Book of the Year Award 2025*

Travel to Greece and watch Cynisca, a Spartan princess, become the first ever woman to win at the ancient Olympic Games. Or touch the heavens with Junko Tabei as she carves her path through history and mountain ranges with little applause but a lot of bravery.

In this book Kate Pankhurst, descendent of Emmeline Pankhurst, tells the fascinating stories of some of history's most talented female sports stars.

From football superstars to trailblazing Olympians, women throughout history have fought for the right to take part, win or lose, in sports across the globe. Whether they were making impassioned pleas for support on the football pitch, or working behind the scenes to set up rival games when the Olympics said 'NO', these women are all sporting heroes.

Including diary entries, postcard messages, maps and more, Fantastically Great Women Sports Stars and Their Stories is a celebration of just some of the women whose tenacity and skill have made a mark on the world. A fantastic gift for girls and boys alike!

List of women featured: Cynisca, Charlotte 'Lottie' Dod, Alice Milliat, Junko Tabei, Derartu Tulu, Marta Vieira da Silva, Ellie Simmonds and Simone Biles.

Kate Pankhurst is the bestselling author and illustrator of the trailblazing and internationally successful Fantastically Great Women books. Kate's books have been translated into 22 languages and shortlisted for many awards, including the NIBBIES award for Children's Illustrated & Non-Fiction. Most recently, her first book Fantastically Great Women who Changed the World has been adapted into an inspiring stage show, touring the UK in 2021 and 2022. Most days, Kate can be found illustrating and writing in her studio in Leeds with her spotty dog, Olive. She loves a good story, the funnier the better, and gets her best ideas by doodling in her sketchbook; because even quick, wonky drawings can spark ideas for amazing plots.