Dear Soccer is a beautiful and creatively presented letter that a young boy writes to soccer to express his gratitude for how soccer has benefitted his life. Dear Soccer promotes participation in sports by showing boys and girls who are of various races, and limitations benefiting from playing soccer. These images help kids understand that being different is not a barrier for being active. Dear Soccer also shows how when kids are active in soccer or any activity, they become better people. This demonstration is accomplished by showing how being active helps with physical, mental, and social development. Dear Soccer also takes readers on a journey around the world to promote the various ways that the beautiful game of soccer can be enjoyed, and later challenges kids to learn more about soccer and being active by presenting numerous fun word clouds packed with soccer and activity related content kids can explore after reading book to continue their learning and exploration. Dear Soccer challenges kids and parents to think of other activities they enjoy and to write a letter to their activity, as the author has done, so they can appreciate how being active helps makes them better people. This activity is especially relevant in these times when kids are finding it increasingly challenging to remain active. Soccer for Life! Active for Life!
Reviewed by Jennie More for Readers' Favorite
Dear Soccer by Matteo Iuzzolino is a beautiful picture book about a child’s love of soccer. In his letter to Soccer, he writes about the benefits of playing soccer, including the physical, mental, and emotional benefits. Not only is he active and playing outside with friends, but he also plays soccer anywhere, at home, at school, in the street with the neighborhood kids, and his family. It brings his family together as they enjoy the game of soccer. He also learns to engage positively with his teammates; through soccer, he makes many friends and bonds with his siblings. He learns about leadership and playing fairly, and from his coach, he learns about the strategy required to play soccer well. Dear Soccer is a comprehensive list of reasons to love soccer and its immense value in a child’s life.
Dear Soccer by Matteo Iuzzolino is a bright and colorful storybook that beautifully portrays a child’s love for soccer and the many reasons to love the game. I loved the beautiful and vivid illustrations, and I enjoyed how this picture book is specifically about sport. I think physical activity is essential, especially when children would instead be viewing a screen in their spare time. Dear Soccer not only shows children how much fun they can have playing soccer but also shows parents the valuable life lessons children learn when participating in sports. Dear Soccer is a unique, delightful, inspirational storybook that will undoubtedly evoke children’s interest in sports and nudge them to drop the screens.
