All Categories
Product description Shawn Sheep is the best soccer player around, but will his boastful ways cost his team the game? Lively prose and vibrant illustrations bring the characters to life as they run, flip, and cheer through the pages. From School Library Journal Kindergarten-Grade 2—Shawn Sheep's favorite soccer star is Paul Peacock, known for his strutting and trash-talking attitude on the field. Playing in his own soccer game before the league finals, Shawn starts to act as if he believed he were "the Best." He is so distracted after he makes a goal that he not only lets a ball fly past him, but also gets thrown out of the game for arguing with the referee. Shawn's coach decides that he won't be allowed to play in the finals. Later, when Shawn sees his hero act like a jerk in the restaurant and walk away without an apology, he learns his lesson. Davis's colorful illustrations show especially expressive facial features on each player—from excessive pride to outrage to celebratory joy in winning. The final pages give brief descriptions of soccer positions and ball handling. The didacticism probably won't bother young readers who can relate to the examples of good vs. poor sportsmanship on and off the field. There are many soccer picture books available, but most show a player who is a beginner or not that talented overcoming the lack of skills. This one features a braggart who learns the importance of friendship and civility. Teachers, coaches, and parents might be the biggest fans of this title.— Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.