Elise Crigar

A bold look at the creative, controversial, and vibrant history of skateboarding, and the amazing skaters who continually reinvent it.

Skateboarding isn't just a recreational activity, but a professional sport, lifestyle, art form, and cultural phenomenon. The striking book Four Wheels and a Board captures its spirited history, iconic skateboarders, diverse community, and the palpable passion of the people who love it. It includes contributions from the most influential names in the… Show more

A bold look at the creative, controversial, and vibrant history of skateboarding, and the amazing skaters who continually reinvent it.

Skateboarding isn't just a recreational activity, but a professional sport, lifestyle, art form, and cultural phenomenon. The striking book Four Wheels and a Board captures its spirited history, iconic skateboarders, diverse community, and the palpable passion of the people who love it. It includes contributions from the most influential names in the game, including Rodney Mullen, Tony Hawk, Mimi Knoop, and more.

The gorgeously designed book presents objects, artifacts, and photographs from the Smithsonian collections that exemplify the vitality and innovation of skate culture. Book chapters are organized chronologically by decade from the '60s to the present day, starting with 20th-century surfboards, moving through technological changes, the disappearance of skate parks, the rise of social media and collaborations, and ending with never-before-seen objects from the 2020 Summer Olympics, where skateboarding made its historic Olympic debut.

Largely invented by youth, skateboarding has attracted punks, misfits, and dreamers looking for somewhere to belong. The book features skateboards and skaters who open dialogues about race, the gender binary, queerness, the displacement of Native people, and so much more, shining a light on people and places not often represented in traditional skateboard history. Four Wheels and a Board is a fresh look at a transformative culture, and one hell of a ride. Show less

"It's Not About Pretty" is the FIRST comprehensive hardcover book ever to be published on girls skateboarding. The 8x10 hardcover book is 144 pages and features 65 different skater girls- from pool riding, park, street, downhill, vert and cruising, to pro female skateboarders and soul skaters - this book covers it all.

With powerful imagery by award-winning photographer Ian Logan, words and concept by 70's pro skater and Skateboard Hall of Fame inductee Cindy Whitehead, and graphic… Show more

"It's Not About Pretty" is the FIRST comprehensive hardcover book ever to be published on girls skateboarding. The 8x10 hardcover book is 144 pages and features 65 different skater girls- from pool riding, park, street, downhill, vert and cruising, to pro female skateboarders and soul skaters - this book covers it all.

With powerful imagery by award-winning photographer Ian Logan, words and concept by 70's pro skater and Skateboard Hall of Fame inductee Cindy Whitehead, and graphic design by Elise Crigar.

About the Book: These girls are RAD. They are renegades, and they are fearless. They have consciously decided that it doesn't matter what age or gender you are, you go after what you love. They fall hard, and they get back up. They keep pushing and they never give up. As skateboarders, it's ingrained in them. They don't skate for the medals, trophies or public acclaim. They do it because it's who they are. These girls are smashing gender stereotypes into tiny bits, hitting glass ceilings so hard they shatter into a million pieces and they are kicking ass and taking names. They are authentic and real and don't take no for an answer. For these girls it's not about being pretty, it's about being pretty radical.

Each book comes sealed, with a beautiful dust jacket, and a 15x19 poster inside featuring 1 of 4 skater girls.

A portion of the proceeds from this book gives back to girls in skateboarding. Show less