WOW…I’ve had an awesome week! Thanks to almost 300 incredible writers who shared their stories in the #50PreciousWords Writing Challenge. More about that on Sunday when we announce the winners and honorable mentions and hand out some prizes.

But we’ve got prizes today also. Oh yeah! A couple of weeks ago, author and circus guru Jackie Leigh Davis stopped by to chat and offered a copy of her brand-new book, DIY CIRCUS LAB FOR KIDS…and it is SIGNED! And the winner is:

ANGIE QUANTRELL

The next week, author Carol Gordon Ekster visited and generously donated a picture book manuscript critique as a giveaway. And the winner is:

BEV BAIRD

Congratulations! We’ll connect so you can get your prizes. And don’t forget, dear friends, on Sunday, we will hand out FIFTEEN super prizes for the #50PreciousWordChallenge.

And not to disappoint, our post today ALSO has a giveaway…thanks to debut picture book author, Baptiste Paul, who will answer some questions here tomorrow on Will Write for Cookies.

Are you ready for our picture book review? 

THE FIELD

Written by Baptiste Paul

Illustrated by Jacqueline Alcantara

Published by NorthSouth Books (March 2018)

Ages: 4-8

Themes: Teamwork, leadership, soccer

Synopsis: From Amazon: 

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 Alcántara—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.

Why I like this book:

• Bold vivid illustrations 
• Lyrical text that brings us right into the action
• A wonderful book about family and friends and working and playing together – I love the Friends vs Friends!

RELATED ACTIVITIES

Photo courtesy: https://www.activityvillage.co.uk/

MAKE A SOCCER BALL FRAME

For detailed instructions: https://www.activityvillage.co.uk/soccer-crafts

Thank you so much, dear friends, for spending your precious time here. I hope you will come back tomorrow to visit with author Baptiste Paul who will be chatting with us at Will Write for Cookies. And then on Sunday, we’ll be announcing the results of the #50PreciousWords Writing Challenge…I know you won’t want to miss that.

For more wonderful picture book reviews, head on over to Susanna Hill’s Perfect Picture Book Friday linkup.

Please don’t forget to leave a comment to be entered in the giveaway of a copy of this wonderful new picture book, THE FIELD.

And one last thought, dear lovers of picture books…the best gift we can give our favorite authors is to tell the world how much we love their books on Amazon, Goodreads, and other book review site. Each time you finish reading a book, think about why you enjoyed it and then head over to leave feedback that will help others as they make their reading and book purchasing choices.

Have a safe and happy weekend!