Sergio Saves the Game

Sergio the Penguin

by Edel Rodriguez

Sergio's a soccer star... in his dreams. He can't even kick the ball! So Sergio decides to try playing another position--goalie! He isn't so good at first, but with hard work and practice, he's ready for the game against the big, bad Seagulls. Will Sergio become a true star?

This adorable "everypenguin" ( Kirkus ) returns with a story about determination and finding your true talents, leading to a triumphant and hilarious outcome.

Genres: Picture Books, Sports, Childrens, Soccer, Humor, Storytime, Animals

40 pages, Hardcover

First published April 14, 2009

About the author

Edel Rodriguez is a Cuban American artist who has exhibited internationally with shows in New York, Los Angeles, Havana, Berlin, La Paz, Cape Town, Prague, and London. A regular contributor to the New Yorker, the New York Times, and Time magazine, he has created over two hundred magazine and book covers and illustrated several children’s books, including Sonia Sotomayor: A Judge Grows in the Bronx, and is the author of Sergio Jumps and Sergio Saves the Game. Rodriguez’s artwork is collected by various institutions, including the Smithsonian Institution, and has received numerous awards from the Art Directors Club and the Society of Illustrators. Worm is his first graphic novel. He lives in New Jersey.

Reviews

[Travis · Rating 4 out of 5]

What is it about Sergio books that move me to make confessions? In my review of the stellar Sergio Makes a Splash last year, I admitted to being a nose-plug swimmer. This time around, in considering Sergio Saves the Game!, I am feeling it necessary to admit my bias toward the sport featured in the story: soccer. I love soccer. I played from my youth through college. Great sport. Any chilren’s book showcasing the beautiful game is bound to get a bit more attention from your humble reviewer. This measured excitement often leads to disappointment. Not this time. While it doesn’t quite match the highs of its predecessor in terms of tension and resolution, Sergio Saves the Game! comes pretty close.

Sergio dreams of being a soccer star. In real life, the penguin is not as athletic as he would like. With the biggest game of the year approaching (against the imposing Seagulls), Sergio continues to improve as goaltender. When the game comes down to the final penalty shot, Sergio uses all his talents to save the win for his team. It may not be the way he planned it, but Sergio (and the reader) will be pleased with the unexpected resolution.

The woodblock print and digital media illustrations have a vibrantly retro feel, which makes sense given the old/new techniques Rodriguez used to create them. As in the first Sergio installment, the color palate is limited, employing orange and teal. This time out, a touch of red also joins the mix. The bright illustrations will stand out nicely during read-aloud time.

Wonderful artwork, humor, and a storyline that will hold readers right up to the end – Sergio Saves the Game! is a title that deserves to be in your picture book collection.

[Mary Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like many little kids, Sergio (a cute little penguin) dreams of being a star soccer player, but usually he trips, crashes and slides on the field. How is he going to learn how to play? Sergio takes his mother’s advice and becomes the goalie, practicing hard for the upcoming big game. Kids love the humor and bold, bright illustrations in this story of the feisty little guy going up against the bigger, rougher team.

[kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sergio and Tacky would be the best of friends in fiction land :-)

[Skye Kilaen · Rating 4 out of 5]

When he was very young, my son couldn’t yet read but had memorized every word of this book. I wish I had recorded him “reading” it. Even without my toddler’s narration, this is a funny underdog story about a penguin who just wants to be good at soccer, but never gets picked for the team. Can his newfound role as goalie help the penguins win the championships against the big mean seagulls? Rodriguez’s bold graphic style feels fresh and fun. The other book, Sergio Makes a Splash, is also quite enjoyable.

[Green Bean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This adorable, little fallable penguin will make you laugh and wince with empathy at the same time. If you've ever stood in a smelly elementary school gym staring at your feet while knowing you're going to be the last one picked to be on the team, this is the book for you! With determination and a little chutzpah Sergio prevails and saves the game just as the title predicts! Yay for the underdog (under-penguin)!

[Jayna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ages 3-6

Sergio, a penguin, dreams of being a great soccer star, but is in fact clumsy and small. He practices and practices until he gets better and his team makes it to the finals against the Seagulls. Sergio and his team work very hard and win the game with Sergio saving the team by blocking the ball by spearing it with his beak.

This would be great for a sports themed story time. You could incorporate the activity "play" by having the kids act out some of Sergio's moves.

[Abby Hargreaves · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sergio wants to play soccer but he's not very good. When his mother suggests he tries being the goalie, Sergio finds his groove and saves the game. Adult readers will appreciate a bit of dark humor when Sergio's dad is seen reading a newspaper that says "Global Warming: The Good News!" while preschool children will find fun in Sergio's mission to be a hero. A unique illustration style and palette make this picture book a fun read, though perhaps a little slow for less patient audiences.

[Liliane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book tells the story of a determined little penguin named Sergio. Like many little kids, Sergio wants to become a soccer star. Even though that at first Sergio was not a good player, he did not give up and with time and practice; Sergio soon becomes a soccer star. This book is a good read for kids since it shows how one can achieve something if they want to and try to do so.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a sweet and funny tale about a penguin who wants to be a good soccer player. The narrative is fun to read aloud and Sergio reminds me a bit of Tacky. The illustrations are very colorful, but not overly detailed. We enjoyed reading this book together.

[Erica Handley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute addition in the Sergio books. He dreams of being a super talented soccer player but is always picked last. It shows with hard work and a little luck you can do anything. This has a great unexpected ending.

[Caleb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Man, I can't believe how big those seagulls are! They dwarf the penguins! And I can't believe penguins play soccer at all, given how little their legs are. I'm not sure they even have legs. I always thought they just had feet stuck to the bottom of their bodies.

[Bonnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great storyline--the soccer moves spreads are wonderful, and the fact that Sergio is not a natural, but must work hard. I would have preferred a less perfect, more realistic ending, but still great for all of those little footballers.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poor Sergio the Penguin LOVES soccer but he's not very athletically inclined. His story shows how his hard work and determination help him save the game!

A well timed checkout with World Cup fever going on (while the US was still in!) Love the bold illustrations and the story of perseverance.

[Edna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sergio the Penguin is always picked last for teams and wants to give up but his coach, parents and teammates convince him he just needs to practice. What happens when the game is down to a one goal difference with the stronger and bigger team of Seagulls? Does Sergio's hard practice pay off?

[The Reading Countess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Youngest checked this out from the school library this week. After a second reading and learning about Sergio Makes a Splash, I believe we are building a reader who looks for books in a series (like Rylant's Mr. Putter). Thank you for this, strong series writers.

[Micah Riggio · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to give it 3 stars because I like this color orange and the way the pictures are.

I thought the seagulls were going to win the game instead, so I didn't like that page. They looked sort of mean and angry.

[Dona Gay]

Way to go Ser-g-io! That is just a little cheer/chant I made up for Sergio, the adorable penguin hero of the book. It is a cute book and probably gets extra points at my house because soccer is involved.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rather sweet and satisfying and not at all sentimental though it dealt with the disappointments and frustrations that many children feel, when they are wanting to do well at sport and finding it hard.

Loved the page where the teams are being picked and the team captain says 'I'll take the fish.'

[The Brothers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sergio is a penguin who loves soccer - but isn't very good at it. His mother encourages him to practice at being a goalie and he tries very hard. The big game against the seagulls arrives and Sergio finds that all his practice pays off.

Cute, blockly illustrations.

[Tracy Schillemore · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great book to read to the child who is NOT a sports superstar. This book is about a penguin who just can't seem to get his soccer skills up to parr. He finally tries playing the position of goalie and it ends up being a good fit. He helps to win the championship!

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love this little penguin, he sort of reminds me of me when I was playing soccer at a young age. I wasn't all that great at it, but I could run and I was small so I made for a great defender.
It's super cute though, and great for those little ones with an interest in sports.

[Boni · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not sure why, but I liked this one much better than the first Sergio book.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

The bold artwork is the best part of this "keep on trying" sports book.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was about as skilled in Sports as Sergio (minus the ending) and really enjoyed seeing him find a place to have fun. I love the colors in the illustrations and just enjoy the stories. Ages 4+

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

My six-year-old adored this book.

[Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

So many kids will sympathize with Sergio...not everyone is a born athlete. But Sergio works hard and manages to save the day...even if it's not in the most traditional fashion!

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read aloud to 2-4 year olds. Well-paced story, cartoonish illustrations - overall a great story about never giving up.

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO CUTE!

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

A perfect book to read during the World Cup!

[skcocnaH · Rating 3 out of 5]

Practice makes perfect, I guess.