It's Just a Game - Softcover

Farrell, John

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1563978245 ISBN 13: 9781563978241

Publisher: Boyds Mills Press, 1999

Synopsis

A soccer team is having lots of fun before the game. But once the game begins, the fun is over. The coach of the opposing team yells and calls people names. But it's his team that wins the game. As the children enjoy their postgame ice cream, a grown-up blames one of the players. Has everyone forgotten it's just a game? Sports should be fun, especially when you're in school. John Farrell reminds coaches and parents who unfairly pressure young athletes. And this picture book hits the mark, offering a valuable reminder to both parent and child.

About this title

About the Author:

John Farrell, singer, songwriter, and storyteller, has recorded three CDs of songs and stories. His video, "The Great Earth Sing-Along," earned a Parents' Choice Award and a Dove Foundation Award. Each year he performs for thousands of children, teachers, and families in North America and abroad. He lives in Brewster, New York.

John Emil Cymerman has illustrated many books for children. His work has received a number of awards, including the Art Directors Club of Philadelphia Gold Medal Award and their award for Excellence. He lives in Pitman, New Jersey, with his wife, Lynn, and their children, Jonathan and Laura.

From Library Journal:

Kindergarten-Grade 3-A didactic story told in forced and uneven rhyme. Young soccer players are excited about the day's game. They have new uniforms, the sun is shining, and everything is wonderful. And then the game begins. The other team is bigger, faster, and mean-looking. In addition, the other coach is yelling at both teams and calling them names. After the skilled and talented opposition wins the game, the players shake hands and all head off for ice cream. Unfortunately, the parents are not such good sports and begin to yell at some of the children for losing. Seemingly written more as a knuckle-rapper for adults than as entertainment for young readers, the story is heavy-handed. "It's just a game! It's just a game!/We're only kids. We're not the pros./We joined the team to learn and play/and have some fun./We'll try our best to win,/but if we don't, there is no shame./Please remember this:/`We're only kids. It's just a game.'" Cymerman's colorful cartoons depict children who are much older than the book's intended audience.
Roxanne Burg, Thousand Oaks Library, CA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Boyds Mills Press
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 1563978245
• ISBN 13: 9781563978241
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Cymerman John Emil