10+ Best Soccer Books for 5-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)
Are you looking to kickstart your little one's love for the beautiful game with some engaging reads? You're in the right place! Our curated selection of soccer books for 5-year-olds is perfect for getting those tiny feet excited about goals, teamwork, and the thrill of the game. Keep reading to discover a variety of soccer books that are sure to score big with your budding soccer star!
Table of Contents
Fun Soccer Books for 5-Year-Olds
- Winners Never Quit! by Mia Hamm, illustrated by Carol Thompson
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Sports
- Synopsis: This book features Mia, a young girl who loves soccer but hates losing. She learns important lessons about sportsmanship and perseverance.
- Why we recommend this book: Written by soccer legend Mia Hamm, it encourages kids to keep trying, even when things get tough.
- Perfect for: Young athletes and any child who needs encouragement to keep going after a setback.
- Dino-Football by Lisa Wheeler, illustrated by Barry Gott
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Fantasy, Sports
- Synopsis: The Greenblades and the Redscales face off in a prehistoric game of football.
- Why we recommend this book: It combines dinosaurs and soccer, making it a thrilling read for children who love excitement and action.
- Perfect for: Kids who love dinosaurs and sports.
- Goal! by Mina Javaherbin, illustrated by A. G. Ford
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Sports
- Synopsis: A group of children in a South African township play soccer and learn about teamwork and friendship.
- Why we recommend this book: It showcases the power of sports to bring people together and teaches valuable life lessons through engaging storytelling.
- Perfect for: Young readers interested in learning about different cultures through sports.
- Sean Wants to Be Messi by Tanya Preminger, illustrated by Elettra Cudignotto
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Sports
- Synopsis: Sean, a young boy, dreams of becoming as great a soccer player as his hero, Lionel Messi.
- Why we recommend this book: It's a motivational story that inspires children to dream big and work hard towards achieving their goals.
- Perfect for: Aspiring young soccer players and Messi fans.
- Bunny Cakes by Rosemary Wells
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Humor
- Synopsis: While not exclusively about soccer, this story includes fun scenes of the bunny siblings playing soccer together.
- Why we recommend this book: It's a delightful read that introduces teamwork and sharing through relatable sibling dynamics and playful illustrations.
- Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy stories about family and sports.
Educational Soccer Books for 5-Year-Olds
- My First Soccer Game by Alyssa Satin Capucilli, illustrated by Leyah Jensen
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Sports
- Synopsis: This story follows a group of young children as they experience their first soccer game, from warm-ups to the final cheer.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Understanding of soccer rules, teamwork, sportsmanship
- Why we recommend this book: It provides a gentle introduction to the sport of soccer, making it less intimidating for beginners.
- Perfect for: Young children who are about to start playing soccer or are interested in learning about the sport.
- Little Soccer by Brad Herzog, illustrated by Doug Bowles
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Sports
- Synopsis: A rhyming story that introduces the basics of soccer to young kids, including equipment, rules, and the joy of playing.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Basic soccer vocabulary, rhyme and rhythm in reading, introduction to sports etiquette
- Why we recommend this book: Its playful rhymes make learning about soccer fun and engaging for young readers.
- Perfect for: Preschoolers and kindergartners who enjoy rhyming stories and are curious about soccer.
- Soccer Star by Mina Javaherbin, illustrated by Renato Alarcão
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Sports
- Synopsis: Paulo dreams of playing professional soccer, but life in his Brazilian neighborhood is difficult. The story focuses on his determination and the support of his community.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Cultural awareness, perseverance, community involvement
- Why we recommend this book: It highlights the importance of community support and resilience in achieving one's dreams.
- Perfect for: Young soccer enthusiasts who are interested in stories of determination and success against the odds.
- Soccer Counts! by Barbara Barbieri McGrath, illustrated by Peter Alderman
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Educational, Sports
- Synopsis: This book combines soccer with counting and other basic math concepts, showing children how numbers are a fun part of sports.
- Skills and subjects this book improves: Numeracy skills, understanding of numbers in practical contexts, sports terminology
- Why we recommend this book: It creatively integrates learning numbers with the excitement of soccer, making both math and sports enjoyable.
- Perfect for: Young learners who are beginning to explore numbers and have an interest in sports.
Challenging Soccer Books for 5-Year-Olds
- The Soccer Fence: A story of friendship, hope, and apartheid in South Africa by Phil Bildner, illustrated by Jesse Joshua Watson
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Historical Fiction
- Synopsis: Set in post-apartheid South Africa, this story follows a young boy named Hector who dreams of playing soccer with the boys from another part of town, highlighting the racial divisions and eventual unity brought about through the love of soccer.
- Why this book is challenging: It introduces complex themes of racism, apartheid, and reconciliation, which are significant and advanced topics for young readers.
- Why we recommend this book: It offers a poignant look at historical issues through the universally appealing lens of sports, providing an opportunity for emotional growth and understanding.
- Perfect for: Young readers interested in history and social issues, as well as soccer enthusiasts.
- Pelé, King of Soccer/Pelé, El rey del fútbol by Monica Brown, illustrated by Rudy Gutierrez
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Biography
- Synopsis: This bilingual book tells the story of Pelé, one of the greatest soccer players ever, from his humble beginnings in Brazil to his rise in the world of international soccer.
- Why this book is challenging: It is written in both English and Spanish, which can be challenging for young readers but provides a rich linguistic experience.
- Why we recommend this book: It celebrates cultural diversity and perseverance, and introduces children to a new language in the context of an engaging sports story.
- Perfect for: Young bilingual readers and any child interested in soccer and inspirational life stories.
- The Wild Soccer Bunch, Book 1, Kevin the Star Striker by Joachim Masannek, illustrated by Jan Birck
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Adventure, Sports
- Synopsis: Kevin and his friends form a soccer team to challenge the unbeatable girls' team, leading to an epic soccer battle and lessons in teamwork and determination.
- Why this book is challenging: The narrative includes complex character development and plot twists that are more sophisticated than typical books for this age group.
- Why we recommend this book: It's action-packed and full of excitement, which will keep advanced young readers engaged while promoting values like equality and sportsmanship.
- Perfect for: Kids who enjoy fast-paced stories and those who are looking for more challenging reading material.
- Max and the Soccer Dinosaurs by Michael Garland
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Fantasy, Sports
- Synopsis: Max discovers a magical soccer ball that transports him to a game with a team of dinosaurs, learning about teamwork and sportsmanship in a fantastical setting.
- Why this book is challenging: The blend of fantasy elements with a sports narrative requires imaginative thinking and comprehension beyond simple storytelling.
- Why we recommend this book: It combines fantasy with real-life lessons, making it a captivating and educational read for young minds.
- Perfect for: Young readers who love imaginative tales and learning through fantastical adventures.
- Soccer on Sunday by Mary Pope Osborne, illustrated by Sal Murdocca
- Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Fantasy, Historical Fiction
- Synopsis: Part of the Magic Tree House series, this adventure takes Jack and Annie to a historic soccer match in Mexico City, where they must find a secret of greatness from a famous soccer player.
- Why this book is challenging: It incorporates historical facts with a fictional narrative, challenging young readers to differentiate and integrate factual content within a magical story.
- Why we recommend this book: It teaches history and the importance of determination, all within the engaging framework of a time-travel adventure.
- Perfect for: Readers who enjoy mixing fantasy with real-world facts and those interested in sports history.
Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit
Hey there! If you're looking to turn your little soccer fan into a little reader, you've come to the right place. Reading books about soccer can be a fun way for your 5-year-old to enjoy reading and learn more about their favorite sport. Below are some engaging exercises that will help develop good reading habits while keeping the theme fun and relatable.
- Read Together Before Bed
- What it is: Set aside time each night to read a soccer book together.
- How it helps: Creates a routine and enhances the child's interest in books.
- Tips: Let your child choose the soccer book to make it more exciting for them.
- Create a Story Board
- What it is: Draw scenes from the soccer book they've read.
- How it helps: Reinforces story comprehension and stimulates creativity.
- Tips: Use a large piece of paper and colorful markers to make the activity more engaging.
- Character Match
- What it is: Match characters from the book with their traits or actions.
- How it helps: Improves memory and understanding of the story.
- Tips: Turn it into a fun game by using cards with characters on one set and traits/actions on another.
- Book-Themed Scavenger Hunt
- What it is: Create a scavenger hunt based on objects or themes found in the soccer book.
- How it helps: Encourages active engagement with the reading material.
- Tips: Hide items around your home that are easy for your child to find and relate back to the story.
- Role Play
- What it is: Act out scenes from the soccer book with your child.
- How it helps: Helps with understanding plot and character actions.
- Tips: Use simple props like a ball or makeshift goal to make the play more realistic.
- Story Sequencing
- What it is: Arrange pictures or sentences from the book in the order they appeared.
- How it helps: Develops logical thinking and recall abilities.
- Tips: Start with broad sequences and gradually increase complexity as your child gets better.
- Ask and Tell
- What it is: After reading, ask your child to tell you what happened in the book.
- How it helps: Enhances retention and verbal expression.
- Tips: Ask open-ended questions to encourage more detailed responses.
Incorporating these exercises into your reading sessions will not only make reading more fun but also help your child develop a lifelong love for books. Whether it's before bed or during a rainy day, these activities are perfect for bonding and learning. Enjoy your reading adventure!