The Field
A soccer story—for boys and girls alike!
“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.
Soccer fan or not, the call of The Field is irresistible.
*STARRED REVIEW. Gather around for a boisterous game of futbol in Paul and Alcántara's excellent picture-book debut...Irresistible fun.
Vicky Smith, Kirkus Reviews
*STARRED REVIEW. The excitement of the game overflows from the pages and the children, from the beautiful greenery that surrounds them and the brightness of their clothing, to the dynamic movement in Alcántara’s artwork...Staccato phrases match high energy of the impromptu game.
Booklist
*STARRED REVIEW. Vibrant illustrations, full of movement and saturated with color, match the vigor and excitement of the text.
Martha V. Parravano, The Horn Book
The only thing you have to bring to this story is a love of good books, and a capacity to be wowed when a debut team pulls out a book as cool as this. A story so good you’ll be half tempted to pull your own soccer ball out of the shed and take it to the nearest muddy park for a spin. A true original.
Elizabeth Bird, School Library Journal, A Fuse #8 Production
- Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Book, 2018
- School Library Journal Best Book, 2018
- The Horn Book Best Picture Book, 2018
- Shelf Awareness Best Children's Book of the Year, 2018
- Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year, 2018
