The Field

Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Book of 2018

School Library Journal Best Book of 2018

The Horn Book Best Picture Book of 2018

Shelf Awareness Best Children's Book of the Year

A soccer story--for boy and girls alike--just in time for the World Cup

"Vini Come The field calls " cries a girl as she and her younger brother rouse their community--family, friends, and the local fruit vendor--for a pickup soccer (futbol) game. Boys and girls, young and old, players and spectators come running--bearing balls, shoes, goals, and a love of the sport.

"Friends versus friends" teams are formed, the field is cleared of cows, and the game begins But will a tropical rainstorm threaten their plans?

The world's most popular and inclusive sport has found its spirited, poetic, and authentic voice in Baptiste Paul's debut picture book--highlighting the joys of the game along with its universal themes: teamwork, leadership, diversity, and acceptance. Creole words (as spoken in St. Lucia, the author's birthplace island in the Caribbean) add spice to the story and are a strong reminder of the sport's world fame. Bright and brilliant illustrations by debut children's book illustrator Jacqueline Alc ntara--winner of the We Need Diverse Books Illustration Mentorship Award--capture the grit and glory of the game and the beauty of the island setting where this particular field was inspired.

Soccer fan or not, the call of The Field is irresistible.

Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Northsouth Books
Published: 03/06/2018
ISBN: 9780735843127
Pages: 32
Weight: 0.80lbs
Size: 8.60h x 11.30w x 0.40d

Review Citations: Kirkus Reviews 12/15/2017 pg. 150
School Library Journal 01/01/2018
Publishers Weekly 01/22/2018
Booklist 02/01/2018 pg. 53
Shelf Awareness 11/26/2018
Horn Book Magazine 05/01/2018 pg. 117
Hornbook Guide to Children 07/01/2018 - Outstanding, Noteworthy In Style

Accelerated Reader Quiz #/Name: 193706 / Field
Reading Level: 1 / Interest Level: Lower Grade / Point Value: 0.5