K is for Kick: A Soccer Alphabet

by Brad Herzog, Melanie Rose (Illustrator)

Author Brad Herzog brings his well-received prose and soccer knowledge together with Melanie Rose's charming and realistic illustrations to detail every facet of the game. Each letter has a simple rhyme for young readers: "J is for the Jerseys that soccer players wear. But often in the World Cup, opponents tend to share. In a gesture of respect after a game ends, They simply swap their jerseys as if they are old friends." For older readers the expository text gives specific details about goaltending, referees, the World Cup, and many other aspects. K is for Kick follows the wildly popular Z is for Zamboni.

Genres: Picture Books, Sports, Childrens, Nonfiction

40 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2003

About the author

Brad Herzog is the author of more than 50 books for readers of all ages. His children's books include two charmingly illustrated picture books about two of the most inspiring moments in championship sports history -- the 2016 Chicago Cubs World Series triumph (MURPHY'S TICKET, Sleeping Bear Press, 2017) and the 1913 U.S. Open golf tournament (FRANCIS AND EDDIE, Why Not Books, 2013). He has written more than a dozen rhyming alphabet picture books for Sleeping Bear Press, including H IS FOR HOME RUN, S IS FOR SAVE THE PLANET (a finalist in the National "Best Books 2009" Awards) and W IS FOR WELCOME: A CELEBRATION OF AMERICA'S DIVERSITY, which is sold at the Statue of Liberty Pavilion.

Brad is also the author of four critically acclaimed narratives about his travels through small-town America. His first travel memoir, STATES OF MIND (John F. Blair Publishing, 1999), reached #2 on the Amazon.com bestseller list. He followed that with SMALL WORLD (Pocket Books, 2004) and TURN LEFT AT THE TROJAN HORSE (Citadel Press, 2010). DETOUR 2020 (Why Not Books, 2020) is his cross-country chronicle of "America's wrong turns."

As a freelance magazine writer, Brad has been honored several times by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), including a Grand Gold Medal for best feature article of the year. He has been interviewed on "The Today Show" and "Oprah" and has been profiled in publications ranging from People magazine to Reader's Digest. Brad (www.bradherzog.com) lives on California's Central Coast.

Reviews

[Spencer Messinger]

Soccer book from A-Z

[Ebono1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

good alphabet book. children can relate to the story because it's about soccer and something easy to identify. For those who are not familiar with the sport can become more familiar

[Maggie Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grade range: 1-3
genre: informational
This is a really cool take on an alphabet book. For me personally it was not a topic that I am not particularly interested in, but I found it very interesting none the less. There are many other books that are just like this one but instead of soccer they are about all different topics kids may be interested in. This could also be a way to get students interested in informational books in a fun and exciting way. Kids tend to be more willing to read if they are excited about what they are reading about.

[Elly Malone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: informational nonfiction
Grade Level: k-1

This book is fascinating for children interested in soccer. I love the alphabet layout and how there's boxes on the pages with extra information about each part.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a gorgeously illustrated and nicely presented alphabet picture book about soccer. Each letter of the alphabet represents something about the game and/or players. There is a poem and extra very interesting information for each letter.

[Brandon · Rating 4 out of 5]

1st grade
Informational
This is a great alphabet book and it's great for kids who love soccer! This book is also great at helping those who do not know a lot about soccer to get informed in a fun artistic way. I personally would use this book for a lesson on the alphabet to possibly urge kids to get out and start getting into the habbit of being active.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Owen read this book to me all by himself. I'll be needing a new job during our bedtime routine soon!

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great alphabet book for kids interested in soccer. It has the simple rhymes, as well as more in depth explanations along the side of the page.

[Ally Ferring · Rating 5 out of 5]

K is for Kick: A Soccer Alphabet is a delightful children’s ABC book that has different elements of soccer that correlate with each of the letters of the alphabet. This book, written by Brad Herzog, has a captivating rhyme, as the main story, to describe the element of soccer for each letter. Also, on each page there is an in-depth description of each element in a sidebar with the letter, capital and lowercase (Ex. Aa), underneath. I like how each page is laid out: the illustration is to the left, with the rhyme/story on top of the illustration, and then the sidebar on the right. The illustrator, Melanie Rose-Popp, did an amazing job with the illustrations, they are accurate and life-like. Each page has an illustration of the element, that correlates to the letter of the alphabet. So for the page for the letter ‘B,’ the element is the ball, so there is a picture of a soccer ball. I am an avid soccer fan, and played all growing up, and loved this With the in-depth descriptions, this picture book is a little more advanced. So, this book would be great for students 6-10.