The Floating Field: How a Group of Thai Boys Built Their Own Soccer Field

by Scott Riley, Nguyen Quang (Illustrator), Phùng Nguyên Quang (Illustrator)

After watching the World Cup on television, a group of Thai boys is inspired to form their own team. But on the island of Koh Panyee, in a village built on stilts, there is no open space. The boys can play only twice a month on a sandbar when the tide is low enough. Everything changes when the teens join together to build their very own floating soccer field.

This inspiring true story by debut author Scott Riley is gorgeously illustrated by Nguyen Quang and Kim Lien. Perfect for fans of stories about sports, beating seemingly impossible odds, and places and cultures not often shown in picture books.

Genres: Picture Books, Sports, Nonfiction, Childrens, History, Asian Literature, Soccer

40 pages, Hardcover

Published March 2, 2021

About the author

Scott Riley is a international school teacher by day and children’s book author at night. Scott has spent nearly thirty years teaching in the US, Indonesia, Czech Republic, and Singapore. Inspired by his travels, Scott writes about remarkable people and places. His debut picturebook, THE FLOATING FIELD, is one of those stories.

Reviews

[Miranda Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The moment school ended, the boys rushed to the pier. The tide was finally out, and a sandbar glistened in the distance."

Prasit and his friends lived in a small fishing village. The houses were build on poles and connected via piers.

Many of their parents would get up early each morning and head out on a boat to start the day's fishing but...

"...Prasit dreamed of things other than fish."

Prasit and all of his friends loved soccer above all else - but the only place they could play was on a sandbar that only appeared when the tide was out.

But one day, they had an idea. They could make their own soccer field using whatever they could find in the village - and so they did.

Soon the rest of the village began to notice and the boys entered a soccer tournament. No one expected them to win - they didn't even have a proper field - but they played with all their heart and their actions made ripples around the wrold.

I remember hearing about this over the internet ages ago and when I saw this one on the library bookshelf, I couldn't resist picking it up.

And let me tell you - this was such a cool story. The kids were so fun to watch as they played soccer, problem-solved and even played in a tournament.

The way they worked together as a team and overcame the resistance, and even the way the village rallied around them - it got to me. It was so sweet.

This was a really well done story!

[Tina Loves To Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a children's book, and I read this book to my twin six year old boys. They both really enjoyed this story, and I enjoyed this book as well. I really loved how bright the pictures are. I also enjoyed the fact that the team in the book did not get first place because I feel it shows kids it is ok not to get first place. I also loved the kids in this story figured out how to play their favorite game. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.

[Ben Truong · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Floating Field: How a Group of Thai Boys Built Their Own Soccer Field is a children's picture book written by Scott Riley and illustrated by Nguyen Quang and Kim Lien. Enamored by sport, a group of Thai boys literally make a field of their own.

Riley's text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and informative. The straightforward text goes on at a steady pace to reveal how the boys build their own floating soccer field with ample ingenuity and resourcefulness. Backmatter includes an author’s note, a note from Hemmin, maps, and a glossary of English and Thai soccer terms with pronunciations. Illustrations by Vietnamese team Quang and Lien emphasize light, movement, and perspective, making for a transportive read.

The premise of the book is rather straightforward. It follows Prasit Hemmin, a boy who, with his friends, found space for a soccer field on the Thai island of Koh Panyee and founded one of the most successful youth soccer clubs in Southern Thailand. Living in a village on stilts Hemmin and pals use a sandbar to play when the tide is low. However, watching the 1986 FIFA World Cup, they decide to construct a floating platform from scavenged materials to create a less ephemeral field. Working around the field's limitations and forming a football club, they go on to play in a mainland tournament.

All in all, The Floating Field: How a Group of Thai Boys Built Their Own Soccer Field is an intriguing true story elevated by striking illustrations.

[Abby Johnson]

Calling all soccer fans! This fun nonfiction picture book describes a group of soccer-playing boys in a Thai village who created their own floating soccer field since there wasn't enough room in their floating village for one. Celebrating ingenuity and perseverance, as well as the love of sport, this is a book that will inspire young readers to think outside the box and follow their dreams.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story that should appeal to young soccer fans and/or those who enjoy engineering and building. Also provided a fascinating glimpse into life on island of Koh Panyee. The village is built on stilts and the boys had to wait for just the right tide for the sandbar to appear in order to have a soccer field to play on... until they came up with the idea to build a floating soccer field. Love the ingenuity and perseverance they show. Good back matter with further information about Koh Panyee, including phootgraphs; a note from Prasit Hemin, one of the football club’s original members; and Bibliography.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

With thanks to NetGalley and Lerner Publishing Group for an early copy in return for an honest review.

An inspiring book picture book about the Panyee Football Club. I can see a wide range of students appreciating the story of the boys and their floating field.

In regards to the illustrations, I particularly appreciated the pictures that offered a birds-eye-view of the scene. It was a perspective I don't see as often in picture books.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an inspirational book! A great example to show how to overcome even the most seemingly unsurmountable obstacles. Great classroom read to introduce a setting most kids haven't experienced, but also one that shows how a group of kids with love of the game of soccer conquered both the roadblocks of their physical landscape, but also did so without listening to naysayers.
Great lesson in persistence!

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book that shows how hard work pays off. A group of boy who love to play soccer, They work so hard in getting to the soccer tournament. They way that they live and are together help them in playing such a good game in the tournament. I loved the illustrations. It made you feel like you were with the boys every step of the way.

[Cynthia Argentine · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an exciting and inspiring true story! On one level, it's a great sports read. On another, it's a story about friends working together to play a game they love--soccer. And on a deeper level, it shows how individual leadership and a common goal can unite a community. The illustrations are dynamic, colorful, and unique, with many interesting perspectives and sunset-rich shadings.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

4 1/2 stars. This book does a superb job in service of an inspiring story. A group of Thai boys, living in a fishing village built on stilts, can only play soccer twice a month during the spring tides, when a nearby sandbar is exposed. Not content with that, and with a burning desire to play more and be able to prove to mainlanders that they deserve respect, the boys decide to build a floating field. There is just the right amount of detail, and the perfect framing of the story, both before and after their inspired construction. An authors note and photographs follows a short perspective from the boy, now man, who spearheaded the building of the field. The illustrations are done by a duo who are Thai, and their knowledge of the culture, wildlife, environment and artistic tradition, elevates the illustrations.

[Sunday · Rating 5 out of 5]

An easy book to read aloud in your classroom. Quang & Lien's illustrations are vivid and colorful. Riley's narrative is inspiring. The back matter adds even more depth to this story of determination and perseverance.

PAIR THIS TEXT with -
*Things That Float and Things That Don't by Adler and Raff. Pose the question "What would the boys have had to consider when building their floating field?" as a purpose for reading or listening to Adler's text. Compare the materials in the original field to those in the current floating field.

*Titan and the Wild Boars: The True Cave Rescue of the Thai Soccer Team by Hood, Sornhiran, Phumirik. Pose the question "How do rising tides influence life in Thailand (and in other parts of the world)?"

[Libby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! It's so great to see a nonfiction book about a group of kids solving a problem within their own community. An added benefit: this problem has to do with playing football (soccer), something most kids in the world can relate to. Even though this is a picture book, and the illustrations are geared towards younger ages, the story will still appeal to older kids, making it a good choice for ELL students. I can't wait to get this book into the hands of kids.

Review based on an ARC received through NetGalley.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an incredible story! Not only for soccer fans, either: This is just plain good storytelling. Kids will love reading about the ingenuity of the Thai boys who live on the water and build their own field from scratch. They play barefoot and have to dive to retrieve stray balls, but (spoiler alert) nevertheless reach finals in the big tournament. The ending is super satisfying and all the better for being true. Librarians and teachers - put this one on your list!

[sincerely · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it all! 👍

[Tracy Gold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated and inspiring story about a group of boys in Thailand who built their own floating soccer field when their sandbar field is made useless by the tide. A great story about ingenuity, rising above adversity, and teamwork. Wonderful for a classroom or home looking for a multicultural picture book which includes sports, engineering, and history.

I received a free e-copy of this.

[Rosalyn Davey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this book! This will link in so many ways at school. Design and technology and global learning amongst others. The story is great and I love the real life photos at the end to prove to the children this is a true story. Very eye opening and a story that I believe will interest reluctant but sporty readers.

[Rebecca Kraft Rector · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating true story of boys in Thailand who didn't have enough land to play soccer. Together they build a 'floating field', essentially a big raft, in the water. The Vietnamese illustrators bring an Asian influence to the colorful pictures. This intriguing story includes lots of extras in the back, including an author's note, photos, and "Prasit's Perspective"--additional information from the viewpoint of one of the boys.

[Amanda Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kids at my school love nonfiction like this. A true story about a group of boys who build their own floating soccer field and start their own football club. It's an opportunity to learn about the popular sport, places in Thailand and the language as well as perseverance.

[Kelly Mangan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an incredible, true story of ingenuity and persistence. A must-have for any kid into soccer. The illustrations in this book are GORGEOUS. And while it’s a small thing with no real relevance to the story, I particularly liked that one of the boy-inventors is depicted as being plus-size/fat. It’s just nice to see body diversity in a picture book.

[Theresa Trinder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is beautiful and fascinating book, just perfect for curious young readers and athletes. Love the crisp narrative voice and sweeping landscapes and waterscapes. There's some bonus backmatter with photos, glossary, and more--but the real takeaway is the message: when you work as a team, anything is possible.

[Annie Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Bluestem book that tells an inspiring true story. My 4th grade soccer fans will love it!

[Magda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read to T and S for the Cedar Rapids winter reading challenge. Gorgeous illustrations. Based on a true story. We looked up the village on Google Maps, and you can see the floating field! Kids liked the repetition of the game action to tie things together, and they stayed riveted even for the information at the end of the story.

Read to L (and T and S again), and we all enjoyed it.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect for young sports fans, this true story is the soccer equivalent to "The Salt in Our Shoes"!

Learn how Prasit and his friends' love of soccer led them to make their own field on a tiny island, then go on to compete on the mainland! This story does a beautiful job of weaving together action shots of the boys practicing, domestic moments as the island community supported their dreams, and gorgeous imagery of the island itself. A must-have reminder that dreams can be achieved with ingenuity and encouragement.

I especially love the endnotes which include narratives from the author and from Prasit himself, a vocabulary guide of Thai soccer terms, and more information about the islands of Thailand.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Students will marvel at the determination of this group of soccer players living in a Thai island village on stilts. The soccer players built a floating field out of scraps of wood and plastic in order to be able to play the game they loved. Eventually they competed in a tournament on the mainland.
The story is based on actual events and interviews with one of the original soccer players and builders!
A great addition to the sports collection.
Also use to highlight the Asian nation of Thailand.
Possibly pair with Titan and the Wild Boars--another nonfiction book that takes place in Thailand which tells of the rescue of a soccer team trapped in a cave.

[Amanda Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was not familiar with this true story of The Floating Field before reading the book and was happy to learn about this inspiring story. I enjoyed following along with Prasit and his friends as they persevered to bring the soccer field they envisioned to life. The text is both informational and engaging and the illustrations bring the village of Koh Panyee, Thailand to life. The book is a great reminder of how with determination, hard work, and passion, you can accomplish anything you put your mind to.

[Zina Palma · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful true story, that shows the strength in community, and teamwork in overcoming obstacles to achieve their dreams.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This picture book tells the incredible true story of a group of Thai boys who built a floating soccer field. They lived on a floating man-made island off the coast of the mainland. The only time they could play soccer was twice a month when the full moon or the new moon would cause low tides to reveal the sand bar. They decided that if they could live in a floating town, they could build a floating field. After practicing on their new floating field, the boys entered a soccer tournament on the mainland.

The pictures are vibrant and full of movement. I loved the attention to detail in the illustrations and particularly enjoyed the birds-eye view illustrations. I thought this was an interesting perspective.

After the story, the author's note explains how the author came to learn of the floating soccer field and his visits to the island. Prasit, the main character of the story, has included his own note. The author even adds a translation table to teach children Thai soccer words.

The author was particularly moved by this story as he's a big soccer fan. He has selected a really inspiring story to tell that will resonate with many children who have a passion for sports or other ambitions.

I received a digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and Millbrook Press.

[Deidre · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was kindly provided with an arc of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. First of all, I’d like to mention that the illustrations, done by Nguyen Quang and Kim Lien, are altogether fabulous—full of color and detail, bringing alive for readers Koh Panyee in Thailand. This is a world most of us aren’t familiar with and the artists truly do an exceptional job of welcoming us into this vibrant community by connecting with us through their warm style and showing us community practices, such as meeting at the local coffee shop.

Prasit lives in a house built on stilts. His yard is the sea, and yet he and his friends love soccer. When the tide goes out, the boys all rush to form teams and they play soccer until the tide makes its way back. Eventually, the boys decide to build a soccer field that floats. Next, they take an even bigger leap—they officially form a team. As a parent who had three girls who played soccer throughout school, this book strikes a happy chord with me. Overcoming odds, working together, building something based on a dream—it’s a wonderful story for both girls or boys. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Samira · Rating 5 out of 5]

A faithful and beautiful portrayal of a historic moment in Thai sports and soccer at large. I admit to not being a huge sports fan, but not once did that deter me from becoming engrossed in this true tale, so gorgeously narrated by Scott Riley. This book has so much appeal from so many different angles: for Thai and Muslim children who wish to see themselves and their families represented in an array of unique stories; alternately, for readers who know little about Thailand and wish to be transported to another place and time to soak up some knowledge; for sports fans, particularly soccer buffs, who may never have heard of this accomplishment before; and finally for any young person who wanted to achieve something that they were told can't be done. And when it comes to Quang and Lien's illustrations I simply cannot praise them enough! Every single spread evocatively shows the lush setting of Koh Panyee and the trials of the boys as they overcome so many obstacles to reach their dreams.

[Jane Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

#TheFloatingField #NetGalley
Do you enjoy watching the impossible happen and dreams come true? Read this book and that is exactly what you will get. Inspired by the 1986 World Cup a determined group of boys living in a town built on stilts in Thailand decide to build themselves a floating field so that they can play soccer everyday. Without it they are only able to play twice a month when the tide is low enough. Their passion for playing drives them to spend their after school time finding whatever scraps they can and building a field large enough to play soccer everyday. Despite the challenges that a moving field presents these boys train hard and develop skills.. But their dreams don't end there. They decide to enter a tournament against teams that have the advantage of a regular field.. How do they do? Read The Floating Field by Scott Riley and find out.
This is a book that should be in every public and school library. Let's celebrate the good in this world.