What does it mean for players to be Good Sports? When some soccer players work together on the field, the whole team gets better and has more fun. Cheer them on when Good Sports Use Teamwork!
November 1, 2019
PreS-Gr 2-Sportsmanship books that support social and emotional development are always in demand, and this series delivers rhyming songs for the picture book crowd. Each title in the series states and reiterates the importance of being a good team player: never giving up, playing fair, and avoiding being a sore winner or loser. The simple concepts and repetition help adults impart these basic concepts. The songs can be accessed online and have a poppy Schoolhouse Rock feel. The illustrations include a refreshing mix of diverse children, including a young girl in a hijab and a boy with a visible hearing aid, as well as kids of diverse ethnic backgrounds. The text is supported by critical thinking questions and a parent guide, which offers suggestions to strengthen understanding for young listeners. VERDICT A sweet sportsmanship addition to your easy nonfiction shelves.
Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
November 15, 2019
Grades K-2 At the outset, the books in the Good Sports series (4 titles) are focused on equipping kids with good teamwork and decision-making skills. Through different sports and a broad cast of characters, the volumes introduce values that are useful in sports and life, adopting an upbeat tone to encourage readers. Critical-thinking questions at the end of each book further clarify and extend each lesson. Good Sports Use Teamwork breaks down the different aspects of teamwork?supporting each other, giving everyone a chance, working together?using a soccer team as an example. The retro illustrations (think Charles Schulz) depict teammates from many cultural backgrounds and of multiple abilities (one girl wears a hijab; another boy has a cochlear implant). While the social-emotional learning components of this series are evident, the text is also built to encourage early readers. A QR code links to music that can accompany the rhythmic text, while a beginning note explains how music can help children develop early literacy skills. Repeating phrases, bolded vocabulary words, and simple sentence structures will help early readers build their reading abilities. Multilayered and energetic.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)