The Field
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Table of Contents
About The Book
A Junior Library Guild Selection
Winner of the Sonia Lynn Sadler Award
“Irresistible fun.”— Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
“A wonderful depiction of a joyful pastime . . . and a reminder of some of the ways we are more alike than different.”—Booklist, Starred Review
Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Book of 2018
School Library Journal Best Book of 2018
The Horn Book Fanfare 2018
Shelf Awareness Best Children’s Book of the Year
Bank Street Best Children’s Book of the Year
“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 pick-up soccer (futbol) game. Boys and girls, young and old, players and spectators come running—bringing balls, shoes, goals, and a love of the sport.
“Friends versus friends” teams are formed, the field is cleared of cows, and the game begins! But will a tropical rainstorm threaten their plans?
The world’s most popular and inclusive sport has found its spirited and authentic voice in Baptiste Paul’s debut picture book— highlighting the joys of the game along with its universal themes: teamwork, leadership, diversity, and acceptance. Creole words (as spoken in Saint Lucia, the author’s birthplace island in the Caribbean) add spice to the story and are a strong reminder of the sport’s world fame. Bright and brilliant illustrations by debut children’s book illustrator Jacqueline Alcántara— winner of the We Need Diverse Books Illustration Mentorship award— capture the grit and glory of the game and the beauty of the island setting that inspired this particular field.
About The Author
Baptiste Paul is the author of several books for children. Born and raised on the Caribbean Island of Saint Lucia, Baptiste is a native Creole/Patois speaker and enjoys reading his books and sharing about his experiences with anyone who would listen. Baptiste holds Degrees in Environmental Studies and Political Science from Bucknell University. When he’s not writing or hiking, he up-cycles wood pallets into planters and wooden floors to name a few. He lives in Wisconsin with his family.
About The Illustrator
Jacqueline Alcántara is a children’s picture book illustrator. Her debut picture book, The Field, written by Baptiste Paul, received 3 starred reviews and won the Sonia Lynn Sadler Award, was a Junior Library Guild selection, and also appeared on the Horn Book Fanfare Best of 2018, the School Library Journal Best of 2018, and the CCBC 2018 Choices lists. Jacqueline’s favorite days are spent drawing, painting, writing, and walking her dog. She lives in Chicago.
Product Details
- Publisher: NorthSouth Books (September 7, 2021)
- Length: 32 pages
- ISBN13: 9780735844612
- Ages: 4 - 8
Raves and Reviews
*STARRED REVIEW. Gather around for a boisterous game of futbol in Paul and Alcántara's excellent picture-book debut...Irresistible fun.
– Vicky Smith, Kirkus Reviews
The only thing you have to bring to this story is a love of good books, and a capacity to be wowed when a debut team pulls out a book as cool as this. A story so good you’ll be half tempted to pull your own soccer ball out of the shed and take it to the nearest muddy park for a spin. A true original.
– Elizabeth Bird, School Library Journal, A Fuse #8 Production
*STARRED REVIEW. The excitement of the game overflows from the pages and the children, from the beautiful greenery that surrounds them and the brightness of their clothing, to the dynamic movement in Alcántara’s artwork...Staccato phrases match high energy of the impromptu game.
– Booklist
*STARRED REVIEW. Vibrant illustrations, full of movement and saturated with color, match the vigor and excitement of the text.
– Martha V. Parravano, The Horn Book
This is a wonderful debut picture book for both the author and the illustrator. It is sure to be one that will be begged for over and over again, whether soccer fan or not.
– Maria Marshall, The Picture Book Buzz
The children’s elongated, exaggerated movements create an almost constant sense of motion in Alcántara’s vividly colored paintings, and their enthusiasm for futbol is infectious.
– Publishers Weekly
Resources and Downloads
High Resolution Images
- Book Cover Image (jpg): The Field Trade Paperback 9780735844612
- Author Photo (jpg): Baptiste Paul (0.1 MB)
Any use of an author photo must include its respective photo credit
