The HappyFeet Kids Make New Friends by Donald Dione is a soccer-oriented picture book for youngsters (think ages 2 ½ to 5). There is an introduction where the child characters describe themselves and what they like, followed by a story of bobcats who get turned into magical bobcat soccer balls. Soon the children come along and notice these strange creatures, and try to help them. But notably they can’t touch the balls by picking them up, much like the rules of soccer. The kids become so attached to their newfound friends that the magical bobcat soccer balls start helping them with things such as climbing a tree, planting a garden, and so forth. More adventures await them all day as they play together. The last page of the book describes basic soccer playing skills, set to the tune of—you guessed it—moving the magical “bob balls”.

I found The HappyFeet Kids Make New Friends by Donald Dione to be a charmer, filled with bright colors and detailed illustrations. The animated new friends help young readers understand the basic proper moves of soccer balls, in ways perhaps they can grasp more easily than simply trying to memorize soccer rules. This book should help kids become excited about the sport of soccer and provides a very positive approach in making friends, helping others, and playing the game. This book could also be enjoyed by older readers, but the author has successfully targeted the younger group. Highly recommended.

Under the guidance of Coach Jan, six young soccer players learn the joys of competition and sharing. When the HappyFeet Kids discover a litter of baby bobcats who have eaten sparkling balls from the Legends River in the Magic Forest, the game of soccer takes on a whole new meaning. The bobcats, all named Bob, transform into actual soccer balls with heads and feet, forcing them to rely upon the six members of the HappyFeet group. The HappyFeet Kids manage to somewhat tame their new friends with an assortment of basic soccer moves that are highlighted at the end of the book.

The HappyFeet Kids Make New Friends by Donald Dione combines a colorful story book with a solid lesson in physical activity that proves to be a wonderful union of academia and physical exercise. The story highlights the importance of teamwork as a tool for success. While The HappyFeet Kids help the Bobs with a transition into new life, the Bobs also assist the Kids with a combination of activities. The sense of belonging to a group is supported by the strong bond between the six friends and their coach. In the uncertain world in which we live, it is important for children to feel needed and wanted, and I believe The HappyFeet Kids provide a much needed service in that respect. I particularly appreciated the visual examples of mentioned soccer moves. The illustrations by Eminence System are vivid in color and animation, certainly checking a very essential box in successful children’s reading material.

The HappyFeet Kids Make New Friends is written by Donald Dione. It’s a companion to the HappyFeet Kids soccer program for young kids, which uses story time with the soccer ball to help preschoolers learn soccer and life skills. In the book, this fun approach is emphasized. Six diverse children (from the US, India, Mexico, and China) live and play together in the pleasant, peaceful land of Socceropolis with their coach, Jan. They soon encounter some truly unique friends—a group of little bobcats who swallowed magical balls and have now swelled to become soccer balls with fur and tails. The grumpy Bobcat-Balls, called The Bobs, have much to teach the eager children about soccer and teamwork.

Donald Dione’s book is a really good, fun, educational tool. Everything that would catch a child’s eye and make them feel included is present—detailed illustrations, imaginative concept with the bobcat soccer balls, hands-on activities, even a personalized place in the front of the book for the child reader to write their name and become one of the team. If you’ve got preschoolers and want to get them involved in sports, this is a great place to get their feet wet. The HappyFeet Kids Make New Friends is completely inviting, a quick and easy read-aloud, and encourages kids to think of the soccer ball as their close collaborator and friend. The wonderful little Bobs are a clever idea that will wow kids as the furry friends interact with the children, help them, and at the end of the book practice basic soccer skills with them.

What a wonderful concept combining sport and literacy! After Bob the Bobcat finds a magic, sparkly ball in the Legends River, he eats it. He and his family become magic soccer balls. The HappyFeet Kids Make New Friends is a fun, easy-to-read story about some children and their coach Jan who find magic soccer balls and begin kicking them around. Author Donald Dione has combined his love for soccer with writing and created a children’s picture book that should get readers up out of their seats and kicking a soccer ball. This wonderful story introduces some soccer moves to children and hopefully they will get up and try them out.

The HappyFeet Kids Make New Friends is an imaginary fantasy that introduces children to soccer techniques that should improve a reader’s soccer skills. The book may also encourage soccer players to read since it discusses sports. Author Donald Dione has written a wonderful story that combines a sport with reading. I love how the type on page 14 gets bigger to demonstrate swelling. Very creative technique. The full page illustrations are very well done. The illustrations by Eminence System are full of colorful tones and the children’s portraits show emotion and look believable. The bold, colorful artwork will definitely draw young readers into the book and curiosity will keep them reading it. This book would be a wonderful addition to schools, libraries, and homes. I think parents, teachers, and coaches will enjoy reading this book—and practicing the soccer moves illustrated in the story!