The Field
by
Baptiste Paul
illustrated by
Jacqueline Alcántara
Edition
Hardcover edition
Publisher
NorthSouth Books
Imprint
NorthSouth
ISBN
9780735843127
Awards and Honors
CCBC Choices 2019 Choice: Picture Books for School-Age Children
Kirkus Best Books, Picture Books - 2018
School Library Journal Best Books - 2018
Horn Book Fanfare - 2018
"Vini! Come! The field calls!" cries a girl as she and her younger brother rouse their community—family, friends, and the local fruit vendor—for a pickup futbol game.
Details
Format
Page Count
32
Trim Size
8 1/2" x 11"
Dewey
E
AR
1: points 0.5
Lexile
230L
Genre
Fiction
Scholastic Reading Counts
0
JLG Release
Jul 2018
Praise & Reviews
Starred or favorable reviews have been received from these periodicals:
Booklist*, The Horn Book Magazine*, Kirkus Reviews*, School Library Journal, Publishers Weekly
Praise & Reviews
School Library Journal
An open field in a lush Caribbean setting calls to a group of children. They chase away grazing animals, bring out the soccer ball and goals, and begin a spirited game of soccer. Rain and a muddy, slippery field cannot stop their game; only the repeated calls from the mamas and a setting sun can. Dirty but satisfied, the children return home for baths and bed, knowing that the field will call again for another rousing game. Illustrations in deep, saturated colors with energetic lines accompany a spare but rhythmic English text, sprinkled with Creole. The narrative and images evoke the islands and the joy of playing a game regardless of weather. In a concluding note, Paul recalls his native Saint Lucia where, he explains, Creole is spoken but is rarely written down. A brief glossary is included, though most of the words will be understandable in context and in the animated paintings. VERDICT This engaging book is sure to resonate with children who are passionate about soccer and even those who simply enjoy lively play.—Maria B. Salvadore, formerly at District of Columbia Public Library
Horn Book
[STARRED REVIEW]
The place: a verdant Caribbean islandscape. The day’s activity for the community’s
children: a pickup game of futbol (soccer). Does it matter that the futbol
field is a converted cow pasture? Does it matter that some of the players aren’t
wearing shoes? Does it matter that, mid-game, it starts to pour? “No way,” as the
text emphatically answers. Children everywhere will relate to the participants’
devotion to and love of the world’s most popular sport, as they “play on” despite
slipping, sliding, and falling in the mud (“belly flop! . . . Ou byen?M/i> You okay? Mwen
byen. I’m good”). Paul’s universal story is made particular by the specificity of
his setting and language (a glossary of Creole words and phrases is appended).
The staccato text (“I’m open!” “Pass!” “Shoot!” “Almost”) perfectly captures the
intensity and forward propulsion of the action, culminating in an ecstatic cry of
“GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL!” as the sun comes out. Vibrant illustrations,
full of movement and saturated with color, match the vigor and excitement of
the text. The day winds down with the children heading home to their impatient
mamas, baths, and bed—happy to say “Bonswè. Good night” in the knowledge
that the game isn’t finished, only paused. An appended note describes the author’s
childhood in Saint Lucia; the challenges faced by children such as those in the
story; the Creole language; and his continuing love for the “beautiful game.”
martha v. parravano
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