Title: EVIE’S FIELD DAY: More Than One Way to Win
Written by: Claire Annette Noland
Illustrated by: Alicia Teba
Cardinal Rule Press, 2020
For ages: 4-8
Themes/topics: Field Day, sportsmanship, winning, kindness
First page:
Evie loved to win.
She could jump the highest, run the fastest, and hop the farthest.
Summary (from the publisher):
Tackling the notion that winning isn’t everything and teaching kids to celebrate each other’s achievements
Evie loves to run, jump, hop, and win. She even has ribbons and trophies to prove it. So, when the school’s field day comes around, she is sure she will add to her winning collection. When Evie finds herself ahead of the pack, she is faced with an important decision. Does she choose the chance at a trophy or the chance to be a good friend? Join Evie as she navigates the playground and learns about sportsmanship and the challenge of losing.
Why I recommend this book:
This is the perfect book to read in the run-up to Field Day!
Some kids seem to win at everything – and Evie is one of them. She’s won trophies and ribbons galore. So Field Day seems like the perfect opportunity for Evie to add to her collection. But things don’t go as planned. She doesn’t win at beanbag toss or musical hoops or…anything. So when Evie takes the lead in the sack race, she’d determined to win. Until a fluttering baby bird lands right in her path. Evie must decide what’s really important—winning or showing kindness and compassion.
I love this book’s focus on good sportsmanship and the joys of games and competitions that go beyond winning or losing. The warm and striking illustrations utilize black and white accented with vivid pops of color.
For parents and educators:
This book contains excellent front and back matter. At the start of the story, there’s a thoughtful list of discussion questions to be used before reading, while reading, and after reading. And the back matter includes 10 suggestions for helping children learn good sportsmanship.
To download a free reader’s guide, visit the author’s website: https://claireannettenoland.com/resources/
(For a colossal collection of picture book reviews, please visit this page on Susanna’s site: http://susannahill.com/for-teachers-and-parents/perfect-picture-books/.)
gabisnyder.com 
This looks like a fun, new picture book. Hope to find & read it soon!
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Thanks, Patricia! I hope you’re able to find it soon. It’s a great choice for spring!
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I love seeing one book garner attention from more than one of the #PPBF bloggers on the same day! I think I’ll go outside and celebrate being able to enjoy the sunshine today! And I won’t compete with my dog to see who can run the fastest, LOL. Great pic!
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Thanks for stopping by, Jilanne! And enjoy the sunshine! That’s a great suggestion; I think it’s time for me to step away from the laptop and get outside with my pup.
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This is great. So many books tackle the kids that aren’t so successful. It is great to have one about a kid who wins all the time.
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I agree; Claire found a unique and much-needed angle for this story.
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Timely book for pent up energy! I do like the twist in the ending. Winning isn’t everything, especially when the heart is engaged. Lovely share.
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Thanks for stopping by, Patricia! I appreciate the book’s themes of compassion and sportsmanship.
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They say great minds think alike. 🙂 I am looking forward to finding this one. It’s on my TBR list. Thanks, Gabi.
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LOL! Thanks for stopping by, Maria!
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Thanks for this fun review, Gabi! Just because there’s no school doesn’t mean that kids can’t enjoy a field day! We are encouraging families to create their own field day on May 21st and post photos on Instagram with #AtHomeFieldDay and #Evie’sFieldDay
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You’re welcome, Claire! And what a great idea. It’ll be fun to see the #AtHomeFieldDay photos on IG! 🙂
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