Its about Jake who wants to play soccer but does not know how. He practices with the help of his coach and family. It teaches practice makes perfect and that different strengths are needed for different players in a game.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the eARC

I like any book that promotes teamwork and couch's on team sports that encourage rather than discourage. Children are children not professional sport players. They are there to have fun and not be belittled if they can't hit the ball or run. This book shows what an encouraging couch can do. Jake wants to play soccer with his friend Jonah. When he sees Jonah and some of the other children are better than he is he gets discouraged. He blames his new silver cleats Dad brought for him that he really wanted. With the help of Dad and Nana he practices and they have patience with in and give words of encouragement. When the big game comes Rob the couch gives him a shirt that is a different color than the rest of the team. Rob thinks he would make a great goalie. The story goes on from there but it is a great story of self confidence and not giving up. I recommend this book to 5-7 year olds.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Any quotes I use are from an unpublished copy and may not reflect the finished product.

Jake's Great Game was not so great. Jake and his friend Jonah started playing soccer at the same time, but Jake was easily discouraged. Jonah seemed to do well from the beginning, while Jake struggled to do the basics. He often complained, and even thought it was his cleats at one point.

Instead of his father and grandmother using these moments as teaching opportunities, they simply pat his head and say it will get better with practice. While that may be true, I feel like author missed a chance to include deeper discussions on how Jake was feeling. His concerns didn't feel important.

The story would also bounce from one thing to the next with very little transition. I think a lot could have been done with Jake's story, but instead we see him dislike a sport until he eventually does something that's rewarded. I would hope a child enjoyed the game because it was fun, and not just because they excelled at it.

*Will post the Amazon link once it's live.

This was a really cute story about a boy who wants to play soccer but doesn't know how and with his family and coaches support learns and practices so he's prepared for his first game. I like the he didn't give up when he was learning and not doing so well. It's a great message to send to kids that they aren't always good at something right from the start. The illustrations are cute and I would recommend this book to any young person just beginning to read chapter books.

As a lover of sport and especially football; here called soccer which is acceptable as the book seems targeted on North America. However, I can not get my head around cleats for football boots and if that is what the kids call them i am so sorry for them, really.
I loved the whole concept of tacking a young kid - Jake and allowing him to taste different things and games. this is one of a series of books where Jake does just that, but football is a game I know alot about.
Firstly, I thought the comment "For every kid who makes an effort and all those who encourage them" was spot on. The sentiment is echoed in the story as well and makes for a realistic tale.
Practise is important but Jake is clumsy and slow to grasp the fundamentals. The team already appears to have some talented youngsters and it is hard to play catch up as the new rookie. It was good to note the side had a fair mixture of boys and girls playing in various tops of their favourite teams. Mine would be Ipswich Town FC and I have played on the Portman Rd pitch.
It was also encouraging to see dad having a go even though he was not that good. Nan was more clued up again quite refreshing to read of her powerful shots.
Basically, the book has to have Jake fulfilling his dreams in his new chosen activity.
It is a tough ask but some how he pulls it off. Team sports are usually a group effort but very occassionally someone creates a bit of magic, scores a spectacular goal or pulls off a terrific save.
Often it is in winning that your enjoyment is greatest and the book a little dreamy in this regard and losing is a reality as much as anything else. To maintain an interest in sport you do need encouragement, you do need motivation to improve and you need to want to be your best.
Some kids have natural ability but as Jake found out; his desires and his skill set where poles apart and a good coach had to identify this and assist Jake to maximise his interest.
A good book, well illustrated with a simple text. Filled with humour and a positive story all round.

Jake's Great Game, by Ken Spillman is the fourth book in the Jake's series.

Throughout this forty-eight page book, there are fun illustrations accompanying the story about Jake and his soccer skills. According to a publisher's note, there also will be a new Spanish/English bilingual edition of this book in May 2018.

Jake's Great Game is an enjoyable book that's geared towards children, particularly ages four to eight.


Note: I received this book from NetGalley, which is a program designed for bloggers to write book reviews in exchange for books, yet the opinions expressed in this review are my own.