I Really Want to Win

by Simon Philip, Simon Philip

Perfect for fans of mischievous storytime favorites like Pig the Pug, The Bad Seed, and Eloise comes a winning story about a spunky heroine and her sidekick pup who are ready to WIN!

Today is Sports Day, I can't wait.

And as I know that I'll be great,

I've planned how I will celebrate...

Because I'm going to WIN.

Our heroine and her sidekick pup have their eyes on the prize and are ready to find something to WIN. They compete in a spelling bee, a dancing contest, hide-and-seek, and more in search of a shiny medal. But what will happen if they... don't walk away the winner? Playfully tackling themes of competition, good sportsmanship, and being a fair loser (and winner!), I Really Want to Win joyfully reminds readers that, sometimes, winning isn't everything. With rollicking rhyming text from Simon Philip, bold, expressive illustrations from Lucia Gaggiotti, and a spunky heroine in the middle of it all, this follow-up to I Really Want the Cake is sure to be a winner!

"A great conversation starter about the frustrations of competition and the search for a personal passion." -- Kirkus Reviews

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

40 pages, Hardcover

Published May 4, 2021

Reviews

[Vanessa Lecaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet book about trying and friendship

[Mehsi · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute book about wanting to win and tiny girl who wants to win it all but sadly finds out that winning isn't always easy. I did feel sorry for the girl though, no matter what she tried she kept losing against the same girl (who, thanks to this book, I don't like any more). But the ending more than made up for the frustration that I got thanks to seeing this poor girl never win.
The art was the best, I so love the style of it.

[Shelbi Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book had such a cute story.... I read it to my 6-year-old daughter who is VERY competitive in everything and feels like she MUST win no matter what the competition is. After reading this book she was able to compare herself to the character and she understood that it's ok to lose after seeing how the character in the book lost until she found the thing, she was best at.

[David Rivera · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I Really Want to Win” is a day where many sports are played with everyone competing. The main character finds it difficult competing in sports day hoping she can win at least one competition.
As you continue reading across the book almost every line is rhyming with the previous, having only the last line remain different. It is very catchy with a common rhyme scheme of AAAB. The alliteration contains many ‘I’ and ‘my’ sounds. The characterization is the character being confident that she will win the entire competition and take all the trophies. Frustration begins to release from the character learning that winning will not be as easy as she thought. She learns to not give up and continues trying for the next event. The other characters in the story encourage her to keep on trying while congratulating the other contestants, as they must have practiced a lot for the event. As you continue reading, many of the scenes include her wanting to win on the left side, with her performance and result on the right side of the page. As you continue flipping the pages, each sport is different from the last as we see her racing, playing tug of war, and even baking. You see her dreaming of being surrounded by trophies, to viewing her efforts in trying to win at least one. The picture really helped to see just how important it was to her to win and also gaining the pleasure of being to compete.

[Tavia & Ellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Winning is everything, right? It can certainly feel that way to kids (and to me… I’m very competitive) but it important to realise that you can’t be the best at everything and this book is a great way to get that message across.

I Really Want To Win is the story of a little girl who is desperate to win something, ANYTHING, but is constantly disappointed when that isn’t the case. She eventually learns that it’s much better to do things because you enjoy it, not to win prizes, and that when you put your heart into something you might win after all.

This is a fun book with an interesting and playful rhyme scheme that helps to keep kids engaged. I also really love the colourful and expressive illustrations, especially on the pages where our protagonist is getting increasingly annoyed at her failure to be the best.

This is a brilliant way to start a conversation with kids about being happy for someone else’s accomplishments, to focus on what you love doing and to try your best even if you might not win something for it.

[Amanda Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been talking to my students about impulse control by using the term cake brain. It's the part of your brain that wants to take just a little lick of the frosting before the cake is served. How many of us can control that urge. Or who forgets to wait until the birthday honoree takes the first bite? When I saw I Really Want the Cake in the Scholastic dollars catalog, I had to get it for my kids. We have really enjoyed it even though it takes my analogy a little far. When I saw this in the catalog, I had to get it since the cake book was so good. It's a completely different sort of story, but includes cake and the same indefatigable character and her fantastic dog. I LOVE that dog. This book arrived in my library the same week as the book fair. I Really Want the Cake was in the fair priced at $2 for the paper back, which was an obvious hit with my kids. And now this book has not spent a moment on the shelf.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, great lesson in not needing to win all. the. time.

I had forgotten, but I picked this up because it was suggested as having good body representation, and sure enough, our protagonist is repeatedly thwarted by a competitor of larger proportions. This competitor repeatedly shows prowess in many areas athletic and creative, but has a healthier attitude toward winning and losing. She congratulates other winners and encourages other competitors and ultimately our protagonist is supported by and learns from this competitor.

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young girl enters multiple contests she is sure to win but is outdone in many of them. A little rival/friend wins when she doesn't. I love her emotions shown in the illustrations. Her expectations and the results are not what she hoped for. But in the end, her rival encourages her to have faith in herself to win a contest and the ending comes full circle. Her final effort was worth all the tries and fails.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun book about this young girl who wants to win at something. She tries all sorts of things and never finishes first. Then, she listens to a friend and does what she loves. When she enters the baking competition, she knows she won't win but she had fun and is proud of the cake she made. She does end up winning and is proud of the work she did instead of the trophy she won.
Great lesson for family discussion.

[Sirah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one girl who really wants to win, but when the redheaded girl keeps beating her, it might be time to give up. But perhaps winning isn't the most important thing after all...

While I liked "I Really Want Cake" better, this one maintained the clever rhyme scheme I've come to expect from Simon Philip and still offered a thoughtful and humorous approach to a common struggle.

[Renee MA · Rating 4 out of 5]

Struggling with not winning, the main character tries a bunch of different activities so she can find an activity she can be #1 in. Not your typical issue when not winning (there is no temper tantrum, or outburst) Philips still shows a few different ways to deal with losing. Perfect for K-2 kiddos.

[Lexi Brantner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book because I definitely like to win just like the character in the book. It has a great message about how you don't always have to win which is great for students like myself who really enjoy winning.

[Carlos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully worded and rhymed. Colorful, energetic illustrations that suit the story.

[Whittney · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful book about trying your best but not being upset about winning every time. Adding this to our regular rotation in our house. :)

[Pinky · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little girl learns winning isn't everything from a friend.

[Lisa D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

[SamSamSam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyday diversity, PHONOLOGICAL AWARENESS, social-emotional

[Susan]

A fun, colorful book about feelings around competition, and maybe a healthier way to look at things?

[Elisabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

[Elisabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I admire the tenacity, the encouragement and the subtle messaging.

[Liz Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

We need so many more books about how to lose well. :)

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute, fun book written in rhyme about how doing what you love is much more important than winning.

[Josh Peatfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute, good read aloud, great illustrations, good message.

[May · Rating 4 out of 5]

Winning is not all there is. Enjoying the process is as important.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young child competes in many different contests until they find one they win.

A good book for kiddos who struggle with losing, especially if they win all the time.

[Karol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Winning begins with trying and finding your passion.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good message, but I wish she didn't win in the end.

[Patrycja Poslowska · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fajna pozycja do rozpoczęcia rozmowy z dziećmi o porażkach i o tym, że najlepiej napędza nas pasja, a nie chęć zwycięstwa. Sympatyczne ilustracje nadają książce unikatowy klimat. Cenna lektura!

[Tris The Book Whisperer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely picture book all about the need to win, and how to come to terms with losing!