Common Sense Media Review
By Mandie Caroll
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Colorful, text-heavy intro to World Cup soccer mania.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 4+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
WORLD CUP opens in a sports arena full of fútbol fans waving flags from different countries cheering a game in progress, while upbeat text introduces the tournament as an "exciting competition that unites millions of fans" across the globe. Subsequent spreads share facts from World Cup history, how different regions celebrate, and fun facts about the game and its most famous players. The book ends on the opening theme of unity, as the World Cup "gives everyone a reason to come together."
Is It Any Good?
This colorful board book offers an introduction to an event that millions of people celebrate every four years and gives a lot of interesting context about the world's favorite sport in the process. The art is a real highlight here, full of bold, bright colors, happy faces, and scenes from different countries that will engage young eyes as fascinating soccer facts are read to them.
Eagle-eyed readers may note a confusing fact placement when Marta Vieira da Silva is listed as the record-holder of the most World Cup goals on the North American pages—though, as a Brazilian, she scored all those goals for that South American team. A bigger issue is the mismatch between the older-aged reading level and the board book format that's popular for babies and toddlers. Still, soccer-obsessed families will appreciate having a vibrant, informative book to share with young members who are just being brought into the global fandom.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about international soccer, as depicted in World Cup. What new things did you learn about this tournament or the game itself? Are you already a fan of the sport? Is anyone in your family a soccer lover? What makes this game special?
Is the World Cup celebrated where you live? How? If not, would you like it to be a bigger deal? What would be your favorite way to experience the World Cup?
This book shares lots of facts. How do the pictures help you with learning about soccer?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Laura Sandoval Herrera
- Genre : Board
- Topics : Competition , Sports ( Soccer )
- Character Strengths : Perseverance , Teamwork
- Book type : Non-Fiction
- Publisher : Little Simon
- Publication date : May 5, 2026
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 2 - 4
- Number of pages : 24
- Available on : Nook, Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : June 9, 2026
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