The HappyFeet Kids Make New Friends by Donald Dione

Review 5 star

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The HappyFeet Kids Make New Friends is written by Donald Dione. It’s a companion to the HappyFeet Kids soccer program for young kids, which uses story time with the soccer ball to help preschoolers learn soccer and life skills. In the book, this fun approach is emphasized. Five diverse children (from the US, India, Mexico, and China) live and play together in the pleasant, peaceful land of Socceropolis with their coach, Jan. They soon encounter some truly unique friends—a group of little bobcats who swallowed magical balls and have now swelled to become soccer balls with fur and tails. The grumpy Bobcat-Balls, called The Bobs, have much to teach the eager children about soccer and teamwork.
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Donald Dione’s book is a really good, fun educational tool. Everything that would catch a child’s eye and make them feel included is present—detailed illustrations, imaginativeness with the bobcat-soccer-balls, hands-on activities, even a personalized place in the front of the book for the kid to write their name and become one of the team. If you’ve got preschoolers and want to get them involved in sports, this is a great place to get their feet wet. The HappyFeet Kids Make New Friends is completely inviting, a quick and easy read-aloud, and encourages kids to think of the soccer ball as their close collaborator and friend. The wonderful little Bobs are a clever idea that will wow kids as the furry friends interact with the children, help them, and at the end of the book practice basic soccer skills with them.