Hey, Coach!

by Linda Ashman, Linda Ashman

Hey, Coach! Guess what? I’m on your team.
 
GOAL! This sprightly rhyming picture book captures all the fun and energy of very young children having a blast on the soccer field. Over the course of their first season, the players progress from unsure newcomers to enthusiastic good sports who love the game—and even score! The humor and the real-kid voices will have readers rooting for this spirited and determined team.

Genres: Picture Books, Sports, Childrens, Fiction, Humor

32 pages, Hardcover

First published August 9, 2016

About the author

Linda Ashman is the author of more than 40 picture books and The Nuts and Bolts Guide to Writing Picture Books . Her books have been included on the "best of the year" lists of the New York Times, IRA/CBC Children's Choices, the New York Public Library and others, and have been translated into many languages. Linda lives with her family in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Reviews

[Joanne Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like a scrap book of soccer season, with an underlying message from beginning of season to the end. Exciting art uses great diversity in the illustrations. Fun to read out loud. Boisterous text and art convey the energy of a U-6 team.
As a soccer mom and coach's wife, this book is indispensable. As a kid, it fills a need for fun soccer books (ANY soccer books!) It perfectly represents the ardor and bewilderment of first-time soccer players. Spot-on rhythm and rhyme carries the story forward. Subtle layers to the plot. Adorable and a great coach's gift. Better than a trophy! Thanks, Linda.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ashman and Smith perfectly capture the chaos and feeling of herding cats that is coaching beginner sports for little kids. This book is both humorous and sweet. An absolute delight to read.

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cybils nominee for Best Fiction Picture Book 2o16.

[Elisabeth Warner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a cute, creative book! Kids don’t always have a great relationship with their coaches at first, so it’s nice that they have this book to warm them up to an idea of a coach. I loved the rhymes, the different personalities of the kids, and the progression of skill throughout the book. The kids go from losing every game to winning their final game. And their love for their coach grows on every page. Well done!

[Kirstin LaBelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about a group of young kids who come together and use team work in order to learn the sport of soccer.
I gave this book a 3 star rating becuase children or parents could read it and learn something. For adults, learn how to coach young kids. For children, learn the importance of having fun and working together. Plus it ryhmes, so thats kinda cool

[Rebecca Gomez · Rating 4 out of 5]

The rhyme in this book feels a little choppy. But it's a cute book about learning a sport and playing as a team. Little sports fans are sure to enjoy it.

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

It on my Top 10 Favorite Kids books. My three year old loves it! The book is cleverly written to introduce kids to soccer and what it means to be apart of a team.

[Mari · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think the text is great but didn't work as well as a read aloud for me

[Storywraps · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an inspiring tale about a diverse group of spunky young kids that have no idea how to play the game of soccer. Their enthusiasm and determination to learn to play is incredible. They ban together, cheer each other on and after many practices and set backs such as: shin guards not staying on, a jersey that is way too long, shorts that are too loose, cleats too tight and perhaps a pinny that is on upside down, they beat all odds and finally beat their opponents. Brute determination leads them on to victory.

Their loving, patient coach is forever their best mentor and cheerleader. He's always forgiving of their faux pas and forever there to support them come rain or shine.

Written in rhyme the book's vibe is upbeat and energizing. The illustrations are simply magic. They depict a motley crew of adorable wanna-be soccer pros who actually have that dream fulfilled. Filled with humour and a spirit of unconditional love from the coach this is a book that will warm your heart. I highly recommend it.

[Jennifer Gallman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having watched my little cousin play pee wee football and not know which way he was going (at first), I can totally see that same childlike innocence in these adorable boys and girls as they learn to play soccer. The Coach in this book is charged with teaching newcomers as they learn the ins and outs of playing soccer. Choosing a name (the Sparks), the Coach leads the children through several practices and games. While they start off shakily and confused, they soon grow to love the sport--but most of all, their coach. Smith's illustrations are diverse, showing every type of boy and girl and their eager, excited expressions. This is the perfect book for teaching children about learning how to play a sport and sticking with it. It is also great for adults who may be thinking about coaching. Much like teaching, being a coach is more than just being on the field or in the classroom. It's about being a mentor and helping children be the best they can be. What a great lesson to learn!

[Kate Puleo Unger · Rating 4 out of 5]

age 5-8

This book is the perfect gift for your child's coach. It follows a soccer team through the season showing the score of each game. It's a string of phrases the kids might say to the coach, but it makes a super cute story.

http://www.momsradius.com/2016/11/cyb...

[Maggie Mattmiller · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I won this in a Goodreads giveaway but that is not impacting my rating/review.*

Not sure if this is more for the young ones just learning to play soccer, or for the parents trying to coach young ones! But I think all will enjoy this one! Super cute.

[Juliana Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rhyming verse takes the reader through 7 weeks of soccer practices and games. None of the kids is very good to begin with and the team loses all their games until the last one. Each week they get better and better, running, kicking, dribbling, and scoring.

[Lisa D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute book for kids who play soccer!

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Told from one new players description a snippet of each game of a soccer season is presented with the child constantly telling the coach a play by play of his improvement. Cute toddler and up.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Basically a brilliant take on a kids's soccer team experience, told collectively as stuff the players say to the coach. Loved it.

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an adorable rhyming book about kids who are on a soccer team for the first time. It is perfect for a sports Storytime or to read to a group of children who are playing soccer.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was about ten times cuter than I was anticipating! I was having flashbacks of watching my siblings play soccer as preschoolers--essentially every kid on the field just follows the ball in one big pack. This book shows perfectly captures the experience of working with tiny humans--it's hilarious and exhausting and completely worth it!

[Samantha Fortune · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about a group of young kids who come together and use team work in order to learn the sport of soccer.
I gave this book a 3 star rating becuase children or parents could read it and learn something. For adults, learn how to coach young kids. For children, learn the importance of having fun and working together. Plus it ryhmes, so thats kinda cool.

[Janae' Hosley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was a great example of games should be played to have fun and with practice you can win. It takes one special person to change a student/child's life and you can be that impact. In the story, the coach barely said anything to the soccer player and they improved as they played.