Keep On Kickin'! Maisy Plays Soccer by Lucy Cousins

GOOD MORNING, MAISY!

MAISY IS GOING TO PLAY SOCCER, AND ALL OF HER FRIENDS ARE PLAYING, TOO!

Maisy dons her red jersey, laces up her sneakers, and heads out to the neighborhood pitch, where her teammates, Cyril and Eddie are waiting.  Arrayed against them are the Blues, with Dotty, Tallulah, and Charlie ready to go for the goals.

The ref blows his whistle, and the game is on.  The players dribble, pass, and try to kick a goal or block a shot.  They each score, and by halftime the teams are tied.  Maisy and her friends quench their thirst as they take a breather, and then it's back to the action.

The players do their best, and when the match ends in a tie, no one is unhappy. They've all had fun. Well done!

In her latest, Maisy Plays Soccer (Candlewick Press, 2014), famous author-illustrator Lucy Cousins has to get into the game--the soccer game--just in time for all the excitement of the World Cup play, and of course her indomitably game little mouse, Maisie, has got game, too! Maisie and her friends come out kicking and play hard for the team,  but Cousins points out that it's all in good fun. Playing any game is PLAYING, and playing is what kids do to have a good time.  Cousins' trademark style, thick black marker outlines, filled in with strong gouache color, give her pictures plenty of pizzazz, and her game play narration is full of energy and motion.  Kids from preschoolers to early primary grades will root for Maisy.