Children - Sports & Adventure, Poetry - Assorted Topics

Crazy About Soccer

Name: Crazy About Soccer
Author: Loris Lesynski
ISBN: 9781554514212

by Loris Lesynski, Gerry Rasmussen (Illustrator)

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Overview

Hurray for soccer!

Anyone at all at all can learn to kick a ball a ball.
A kangaroo could do it, too,
a bigger kick than me or you but never choose them for a game
'cause they can kick but they can't aim!

This new collection of poems by Loris Lesynski captures the joys, thrills, and challenges of one of the most popular sports in the schoolyard today. Rhythmic, funny verses reflect the game's energy while offering sound suggestions for proper play.

Crazy About Soccer, a collection full of twists, turns, and surprises, is sure to appeal to any reader who has ever played soccer, whether in cleats and a team shirt or in bare feet and--as in Shakespeare's day-- with a pig's bladder for a ball! Wonderfully ridiculous and genuinely funny artwork complements the bouncy poems. Included is a page of poems written by kids. As well, readers will be invited to contribute their own soccer poems to a special section on the author's website.

About the Author, Loris Lesynski

Loris Lesynski is a bestselling author of brilliantly funny poems, and a frequent visitor to schools, where she gets kids excited about poetry. She lives in Toronto, Ontario.

Gerry Rasmussen draws the syndicated comic strip Betty. He has also produced cartoons and illustrations for many newspapers and magazines. He lives in Edmonton, Alberta.

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Editorials

Canadian Childrens Book News - Ken Kilback

Poems demand[ing] to be read aloud--their rhythm natural and bouncy, their beat strong and their humour fun and engaging.

3rd Grade Reading

Soccer fans will love the poems, non-players will become instant converts.

School Library Journal

Gr 2–4—Lesynski inspires readers with long and short, funny and serious verses on various aspects of the popular sport. Some selections are ordinary: "ANYTHING can be a net./ANYTHING can be a ball…," some are thought-provoking, such as "Soccer in the Future" and "Arms Set the Pace," and others are just plain fun: "Why Tigers Aren't Allowed on the Team." Lesynski has included some rhymes that rely on sounds like "screech" that could be used as an audience response when reading aloud. There are also verses that twist readers' tongues when reciting for others. The final page encourages children to write their own poems. Cartoonlike illustrations enhance the book's playful mood. Conversations are set in balloons to add more humor. An enjoyable supplement for poetry-themed gatherings.—Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA

Kirkus Reviews

Lesynski's rollicking collection celebrates the sport of soccer. This ebullient compilation of more than 50 poems will inspire and entertain soccer enthusiasts, whether they are novice or expert players. From the commiseration offered to players who must persevere through squalls in "Rain Game" to the whimsical "Turf Burn," which comically describes the perils of artificial grass, Lesynski's verse explores the gamut of soccer experiences. The format varies, with verses that range from brief and succinct, such as the sole line comprising "The Concussion Discussion," to the lengthier "How to Be a Referee," which pays homage to the dedication of game officials. In "Over," Lesynski declares that "Remembering the fun we had / will last... / and last…"--delivering an apt reminder for young athletes to enjoy playing the game, regardless of who wins or loses. Rasmussen's comic-book–style illustrations burst across the pages in a medley of vibrant hues. His humorous vignettes complement the playful poems. Together, art and verse adeptly capture the appeal of this popular sport. (Poetry. 6-10)