Goodnight Football (Sports Illustrated Kids Bedtime Books)

PreS-Gr 1—It's Friday night, the stadium lights are up, and fans are wrapped up in scarves and hats, sipping hot chocolate. Simple rhyming text and bright, full-bleed, autumn-hued illustrations highlight the excitement of concession stands, the band, and the gridiron heroics of one little boy's favorite team. Nestled between his parents and sister, the little boy watches with the exuberance and knowledge of a seasoned fan as the game progresses. The text introduces football related vocabulary like "receiver," "quarterback," "possessions," and "end zone" for very young sports enthusiasts. When the game is over, the child bids goodnight to the people and places he passes on his way out of the stadium, saying, "Goodnight, mascot./We'll come back soon./Goodnight, /goalposts./Goodnight, /moon." This title will likely appeal to young nonfiction readers and sports fans who aren't ready for the typical fact-filled football books for older readers. The diversity present in the fans and on the football team is an accurate reflection of real sports and makes this a welcome addition to other fall picture books.—Jenna Boles, Greene County Public Library, Beavercreek, OH