The Soccer Bully

The Baseball Bully and The Soccer Bully
Charles Hellman
LuckySports LLC.
ISBN: 9780935938265
Fiction, Children's Literature
Reviewed by John R. Clark

These are two selections in a series of seven books, each addressing the issue of sportsmanship in a specific sport. The others cover basketball, tennis, golf, football and hockey.
The first thing I noticed was the quality of the illustrations. They are among the most colorful and eye-catching that I have seen in a children's book this year; bright, well-drawn and slightly reminiscent of Sponge Bob books. Young kids who rely on parents to read to them will certainly remain engaged by these colorful pictures.
The other aspect that I particularly like is the poetic cadence. It immediately made me think of my parents reading Dr. Seuss when I was little. It has the same meter and sound.
Both books have a similar formula; one team is interested in doing their best and having a good time, with winning being secondary while the other has a negative "win at any cost" mentality. I suspect kids won't mind the similarities between books and this sameness has the benefit of reinforcing a valuable message on healthy attitudes and sportsmanship.
The books come with an activity CD that will further engage kids. I think these will be a welcome addition to the Hartland Public Library as their ease of reading and straightforward message should appeal to both kids and parents who care.