I'll Root for You

by Edward Van De Vendel (Author) Wolf Erlbruch (Illustrator)

I'll Root for You
Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade
A collection of poems that's sure to be a winner. This delightful poetry collection is the perfect cheerleader for young athletes . . . especially ones who may not be the most athletic. Edward van de Vendel introduces readers to a world where elephants figure skate, frogs win the Diversity Olympics, and a pig quits the football team for gymnastics, even though everyone laughs at his leotard. Paired with winsome illustra­tions, the poems--sometimes silly, sometimes sincere--encourage young readers to pursue their goals, try their best, and take pride in themselves, whether they win or lose. This irrepressibly joyful book from an award-winning team will have readers cheering for more.
Select format:
Hardcover
$17.00

Publishers Weekly

This collection of 17 poems by van de Vendel riffs on sports of every stripe, from skateboarding, sprinting, and tennis to the lesser-known, theoretical "tree sports." Both meditative and dryly humorous, certain selections, including "Poem" and "I'll Root for You," may resonate most strongly with young readers, while others offer more mature language and tone. In "Stretch a Rope Tight," the reader is encouraged to persist over demoralizing commentary ("Stretch a rope tight over it./ Over/ the things they said that got stuck in your head."). "A Magic Place" describes the moment when an athlete enters the zone: "You've trained your body year on year, / but only when your mind is clear/ and blank--when you're not there--/ can your body cleave the air." The subtly introspective selections are accompanied by Erlbruch's distinctive illustrations of eccentric animal underdogs. Erlbruch is especially adept at communicating the mood of each poem through the subjects' expressions and body language. With gumption and wit, the duo urges readers to try and beat the odds, while reminding them that there's also nothing wrong with coming in last. Ages 7-up. (Aug.)

Copyright 2018 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

School Library Journal

Gr 3 Up--Are you ready to run, shout, and stretch? Van de Vendel's rhyming poems encourage children to do their best as they join a frog, a cat, a pig, and a few dogs in a variety of sports. They can win the race in "A Magic Place" or play with Cat in "Impossible Things." The illustrations are quirky and fun with animals wearing sportswear, including a duck in a blue tracksuit, a pig in a swimsuit, and a frog in running shorts. Erlbruch's humorous depictions of lively and exhausted animals pushing through to the finish line will have readers chuckling. However, while some rhymes work, others seem strained. Also, some poems contain content or jokes that seem directed toward a more mature audience. VERDICT Have students pick and choose their favorites and then get moving with this collection of sporty poems.--Paige Bentley-Flannery, Deschutes Public Library, Bend, OR

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
Edward Van De Vendel

Edward van de Vendel has written dozens of books for children and young adults, including The Dog That Nino Didn't Have, A Dog Like Sam, and Sam in Winter (all Eerdmans). He was nominated for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award in 2011 and 2012. He lives in the Netherlands. Visit his website at www.edwardvandevendel.com.

Wolf Erlbruch is a German illustrator and children's book writer. His previous books include Duck, Death and the Tulip and The King and the Sea (both Gecko Press). He was awarded the Hans Christian Andersen Award for illustration in 2006, and in 2017 he became the first German to win the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9780802855015
Lexile Measure
860
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Eerdmans Books for Young Readers
Publication date
August 07, 2018
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV039140 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance
JUV002000 - Juvenile Fiction | Animals | General
JUV032000 - Juvenile Fiction | Sports & Recreation | General
JUV070000 - Juvenile Fiction | Poetry (see also Stories in Verse)
Library of Congress categories
Poetry
Self-esteem
Sports
Winning and losing
Encouragement
Self esteem

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