El niño gol

Gr 2—4—Quique's father is a radio sports commentator and continuously encourages his son to get top grades. For him, having an outstanding academic record is the same as scoring a soccer goal. Quique puts all his efforts into performing well, until he scores a 10. But when he tells his dad about his accomplishment, the reaction is not what he was expecting. Quique feels sad until he discovers that his father has a big surprise for him. Urberuaga's tender, cartoonlike, double-page drawings reinforce the story of Quique's desire to earn his father's approval, the man's love for soccer, and the satisfying ending. This simple story touches the interior world of a child and is ideal for kids who love sports, especially soccer. The early chapter book's small size, layout, and brief text on each page make it suitable for classroom read-alouds to spark children's imagination or to read independently.—Liliana Patricia Rocha, Teton County Library, Jackson, WY