Mina vs. the Monsoon by Rukhsanna Guidroz, illustrated by Debasmita Dasgupta
This isn’t a picture book about the monsoon rains. It’s really a story about a young girl who loves soccer. There is a surprise about who else likes soccer that you can discover drinking chai, eating samosas, and, of course, playing soccer! [picture book, ages 4 and up]
The Field by Baptiste Paul, illustrated by Jacqueline Alcántara
It just takes an open field, a makeshift goal, and a ball to play futbol. Rain, mud, and mamas calling you in can stop these joyous children from playing soccer! This is a joyous celebration of a Creole childhood and of the love of soccer. Creole words included in the text. “Creole is a language spoken by peoples of several Caribbean islands including Haiti, Saint Lucia, and Dominica.” [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Lola Levine is Not Mean! by Monica Brown, illustrated by Angela Dominguez
Lola Levine is a great soccer goalie but that’s not always appreciated by her classmates. The popular girls think Lola is mean when she slide tackles a classmate who ends up injured. Lola uses her writing to resolve her problems and young readers will enjoy this strong girl character as she navigates second grade. I especially liked the references to Monica Brown’s Pelé soccer picture book biography (also on this book list), and a favorite picture book of mine, Everyone Poops. Monica Brown scores the winning goal with this soccer story of fitting in, being yourself, and playing your heart out.[early chapter book series, ages 6 and up]
Booked by Kwame Alexander
My son learned that he liked poetry after reading The Crossover. My son doesn’t play basketball but he’s played club soccer since he was eight. When I told him Kwame Alexander’s next book was about soccer, he was excited to read it. He liked this book about soccer, divorce, and bullying too. I was surprised that a soccer star could be bullied. I haven’t seen that where I live, but I guess it happens. [novel in verse, for ages 10 and up]
#OwnVoices Soccer Picture Book Biographies
For the Love of Soccer! by Pelé, illustrated by Frank Morrison
Arguably the best soccer player of all time, Pelé speaks to a young audience about what drove him. He loved competing in games, being part of a team, and most of all, the pure love of the game. His positive messages and inspirational story of overcoming poverty are other reasons why he is an icon of soccer. [picture book autobiography, ages 4 and up]
Pelé, King of Soccer/Pele, El Rey del Futbol by
More Great Diversity Soccer Picture Books
Happy Like Soccer by Maribeth Boelts, illustrated by Lauren Castillo
Sierra lives with her aunt in a small apartment in the inner city. She’s made an elite soccer team that plays far from her neighborhood. The other players’ parents are able to cheer for their kids but Sierra’s aunt has to work. Saturdays are busy days at the restaurant. For the last game, her aunt’s boss offers her a different shift so she can attend her niece’s game but it’s rained out. Sierra figures out a solution but is she brave enough to ask her coach [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Soccer Star by Mina Javaherbin, illustrated by Renato Alarcão
This picture book should have been the 2014 World Cup designated picture book. Set in Brazil, it’s an homage to all the children who work for a living but manage to rise from poverty through the game of soccer. Paulo Marcelo Feliciano works on a fishing boat by day and his captain also coaches their pick up team. They play to win but when one player gets hurt, will Paulo’s little sister finally be able to join the boys? [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Goal! by Mina Javaherbin, illustrated by A. G. Ford
A new federation-size soccer ball is a rare prize in their small South African town. Ajani and his friends want to play soccer with it but how can they keep their ball safe from bullies that roam their streets? [picture book, ages 6 and up]
The Soccer Fence: A story of friendship, hope, and apartheid in South Africa by Phil Bildner
When Apartheid ended, the soccer fence separating Hector from a pitch where white boys played soccer was still closed. For the African Cup of Nations in 1996, the South African team was, for the first time, inclusive and their victory defeating Cameroon for the title helped to bring their country together. And finally, the fence opened for Hector. The power of soccer to find commonality and bring people together is powerfully illustrated in this uplifting picture book. A history of Apartheid is included. [historical fiction picture book, ages 6 and up]
Beyond Lucky by Sara Aronson
This manages to be a soccer book, a coming of age book, and a book that explores the idea of self-confidence versus luck. Is it Ari’s rare and valuable Wayne Timcoe trading card that brings him luck? Is that why he’s the starting goalie this year instead of on the bench like previous years? But when his card goes missing, it’s up to him to stop the fighting on the team between his best friend and the new girl and figure out what truly makes him a good player. [ middle grade, ages 8 and up]
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BEST #OWNVOICES CHILDREN’S BOOKS: My Favorite Diversity Books for Kids Ages 1-12 is a book that I created to highlight books written by authors who share the same marginalized identity as the characters in their books.
