Dear Soccer

Book excerpt: Dear Soccer is a beautiful and creatively presented letter that a young boy writes to soccer to express his gratitude for how soccer has benefitted his life. Dear Soccer promotes participation in sports by showing boys and girls who are of various races, and limitations benefiting from playing soccer. These images help kids understand that being different is not a barrier for being active. Dear Soccer also shows how when kids are active in soccer or any activity, they become better people. This demonstration is accomplished by showing how being active helps with: Physical development by helping kids to become healthier and stronger Mental development by helping kids become happier, improve leadership skills, confidence, work ethic, and learn to deal with depression and life problems Social development by helping kids to accept people of different cultures and races, learning how to develop and maintain relationships, and how to work in a team and compete against others Dear Soccer also takes readers on a journey around the world to promote the various ways that the beautiful game of soccer can be enjoyed, and later challenges kids to learn more about soccer and being active by presenting numerous fun word clouds packed with soccer and activity related content kids can explore after reading book to continue their learning and exploration. Dear Soccer challenges kids and parents to think of other activities they enjoy and to write a letter to their activity, as the author has done, so they can appreciate how being active helps makes them better people. This activity is especially relevant in these times when kids are finding it increasingly challenging to remain active. Soccer for Life! Active for Life!