Madlenka Soccer Star

July 19, 2010
"In the universe, on a planet, on a continent, in a country, in a city, on a block, in a house, lives a little girl named Madlenka, who dreams of being a soccer star." Madlenka's home remains a place that's at once familiar and fantastic, where no one, not even the trash cans, can avoid soccer fever. Dribbling along the street, Madlenka challenges everything she meets, from mailboxes to parking meters (which have eyes, limbs, and surprised expressions) and a team of cats. Endnotes about the history and global love of the game drive home the message: "The whole world wants to play soccer!" Ages 4–8.

September 1, 2010

For fans fresh off the excitement of the World Cup, joyful Madlenka is back, but she's not walking around the block—this time she's dribbling, turning and twisting with her brand-new soccer ball. Is there anyone who can challenge her? On the way to the courtyard, Madlenka meets many worthy opponents, all of whom come to life in her irrepressible imagination. The mailbox has a chance to steal the ball, but it's too clunky. The parking meter is more agile, but Madlenka still darts past. Can the pack of cats stop her? No way. GOAL! GOAL! GOAL! The cheer reverberates in a bursting double-page spread. Cleopatra and other friends from the block join Madlenka at the courtyard. Although this Madlenka adventure forgoes travel to exotic lands, the familiar global orientation is still shown in her multicultural playmates. A story not quite as intricate as the exuberant girl's fans might hope; nevertheless, a sweet, vuvuzela-free homage to a beloved sport around the globe. (history of soccer endnote, "soccer" pronunciation guide) (Picture book. 4-8)

(COPYRIGHT (2010) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)

November 1, 2010

K-Gr 3-By now most children know that "in the universe, on a planet, on a continent, in a country, in a city, on a block, in a house, lives a little girl named Madlenka." They're familiar with the multiethnic, multicultural neighborhood that has provided her with many global experiences. In this latest episode, Madlenka wants to be a soccer star. In her search for a partner, she tries playing with the mailbox, a dog, a parking meter, a garbage can, and team of soccer-playing cats before her friend Cleopatra and all of the neighborhood kids join her game. Sis once again brings Madlenka's neighborhood to life in his familiar maplike depiction. He captures one little girl's excitement and spreads it throughout the neighborhood. Global enthusiasm becomes visual in the final pages where a brief soccer history and fun facts are written on the face of a large soccer ball. The circular shape is mirrored on the opposite page with a globe surrounded by conversation balloons speaking "soccer" in more than 40 languages. The obvious appeal of this book is for kids who play and love the sport; however, it will also prompt discussion about the commonalities of people: "The whole world wants to play soccer!"-Carolyn Janssen, Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, OH

Copyright 2010 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 1, 2010
Preschool-G In her third title, following Madlenka (2000) and Madlenkas Dog (2002), urban adventurer Madlenka dreams of being a soccer star. Once again, S-s creates a captivating visual blend of reality and fantasy in images that illustrate Madlenkas invented world, and here the pictures show the aspiring young athlete transforming everyday neighborhood objects into imagined teammates, from a mailbox to a produce scale. In her buildings courtyard, her best pal, Cleopatra, and a crowd of other kids join in a joyful game. An appended note, inventively formatted onto a soccer balls hexagons, offers facts about the game, while the closing message, The whole world wants to play soccer! extends this years international World Cup fever. Children who have already met Madlenka will recognize S-s use of creative, aerial perspectives, which are particularly effective here in emphasizing the sense that each child is at once part of a particular neighborhood and a member of the global family. Young female fans will also appreciate following a girl who kicks a ball through the pages.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2010, American Library Association.)