Shawn Sheep The Soccer Star (Barnsville Sports Squad) [Hardcover]

Erin Mirabella (Author), Sarah Davis (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: K and up | Series: Barnsville Sports Squad

Shawn Sheep is the best soccer player around, but will his boastful ways cost his team the game? Lively prose and vibrant illustrations bring the characters to life as they run, flip, and cheer through the pages.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2—Shawn Sheep's favorite soccer star is Paul Peacock, known for his strutting and trash-talking attitude on the field. Playing in his own soccer game before the league finals, Shawn starts to act as if he believed he were "the Best." He is so distracted after he makes a goal that he not only lets a ball fly past him, but also gets thrown out of the game for arguing with the referee. Shawn's coach decides that he won't be allowed to play in the finals. Later, when Shawn sees his hero act like a jerk in the restaurant and walk away without an apology, he learns his lesson. Davis's colorful illustrations show especially expressive facial features on each player—from excessive pride to outrage to celebratory joy in winning. The final pages give brief descriptions of soccer positions and ball handling. The didacticism probably won't bother young readers who can relate to the examples of good vs. poor sportsmanship on and off the field. There are many soccer picture books available, but most show a player who is a beginner or not that talented overcoming the lack of skills. This one features a braggart who learns the importance of friendship and civility. Teachers, coaches, and parents might be the biggest fans of this title.—Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Velo Press (July 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1934030163
• ISBN-13: 978-1934030165
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 8.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,563,922 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Erin Mirabella was honored to represent the United States at the 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games in track cycling. Erin's career highlight came at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, where she placed 4th in the points race. In 2006, she was the recipient of the prestigious Jack Kelly Fair Play Award for sportsmanship. Erin has used her experiences as an Olympic athlete to create a series of children's books, The Barnsville Sports Squad. The first two books in the series are Gracie Goat's Big Bike Race and Shawn Sheep The Soccer Star. Erin lives with her husband Chris, their son Micah, and daughter Lindsey in Colorado. Please visit www.erinmirabella.com for more information.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "I don't want to be like him anymore", September 9, 2008

By 

Linda Bulger (United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shawn Sheep The Soccer Star (Barnsville Sports Squad) (Hardcover)

Every parent of a sport-mad child wants it all to be a healthy experience; learning respect for others, developing positive role models. It's not always that way, is it? Some athletes disappoint us and our children with arrogant behavior, and when children imitate them unhappiness can follow. Author Erin Mirabella is the other kind of athlete; a World Cup track cyclist and two-time member of the U.S. Olympic cycling team, she is giving inspiration to children with her delightful Barnsville Sports Squad series. Shawn Sheep the Soccer Star (Barnsville Sports Squad) is the second book of the series, which brings gentle lessons of courage and good sportsmanship.

Shawn Sheep is a good player, but he borrows the boasting mannerisms of his idol, professional footballer Paul Peacock. Shawn's "peacock power dance" and taunting of the other team get him banned from the big match. At a food stop on the way home, Shawn is thrilled to see his idol -- but does the mighty Paul Peacock live up to his image? Does he have an encouraging word for his little fan? Since this is a book about sportsmanlike behavior, you may gather that Shawn gets his eyes opened and comes back to his team with a new appreciation of teamwork.

The book closes with an information page about soccer -- oh look! it's called football everywhere but the U.S.!! -- and Fitness Facts on the importance of good nutrition for long-lasting energy on the field.

The animals comprising the Sports Squad are brought to life by illustrator Sarah Davis. Each page is action-packed and vivid, from the crowd in the stands to the players dribbling and blocking, the story is complemented beautifully.

The Barnsville series is brought to us by VeloPress, publishers of training books for endurance athletes; a nice addition to their line. My only reservation about SHAWN SHEEP is that it's pegged for ages 4-8, and I think it's better suited to the lower ages in that range. Considering that, 4.5 stars.

Linda Bulger, 2008

5.0 out of 5 stars A great lesson, November 5, 2009

By 

S. Goldsmith - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shawn Sheep The Soccer Star (Barnsville Sports Squad) (Hardcover)

This book is an excellent story about sportsmanship and teamwork. My 4 year old daughter can easily relate to the lessons in this book and can identify other kids she plays with or in sports that "behave badly like Shawn and the peacock". A wonderful lesson is shared through fun characters and great illustrations.

Great lessons for parents of kids in sports too! Keep these books coming!

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding book for young athletes., July 8, 2009

By 

David Reed (San Diego, Ca) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Shawn Sheep The Soccer Star (Barnsville Sports Squad) (Hardcover)

Shawn Sheep the Soccer Star is an outstanding book to teach young athletes that "how you win is more important than winning."

Maybe this should be required reading many of our professional athletes as well.

The health tips at the end of the book are great too.

I'm looking forward to reading the next adventure of the Barnsville Sports Squad to my young daughter.