Franklin Plays the Game

This story is about Franklin's love for soccer. He likes everything about soccer, even his team's uniforms. Sometimes he even wore his purple and yellow jersey and matching knee pads when he wasn't playing soccer. Frankklin practiced in the park before every game, he would kick the ball with the inside of his foot, but the problem was the ball never went where he wanted it to. No matter how many times he kicked it, it always went where he didn't intend it to go.Goose was just walking into the park and she watched Franklin's ball fly the other way into the bushes. They both told each other that they thought they would never score a goal. Goose had trouble because she always forgot that the rules say that she can't touch the ball unless she is the goalie, but Goose's wings were so big that it was hard to keep from touching the ball. Beaver walked up and told them that she had trouble becase her tail was so long and heavy that it dragged her down so much that it was hard to run, but the biggest problem they all had was that their team had never won a game. Their coach always told them to go out and have fun before avery game, and they did, but it would be nice to feel what it was like to win.That day they lost another game. It was an embarassing loss too. Franklin didn't score a goal when he could have and the game ended with all of the team's players ending up in a pile while they were chasing the ball. Coach told them that they had to work as a team and share the ball.Bear's winning team walked across the field and lined up for handshakes with the other team. As Bear came to Franklin he said, "Nice try Franklin." Franklin went into his shell didn't come out. Bear was bouncing the soccer ball up and down and asked Franklin to come out. Bear bounced the ball down and as it came up Franklin came out of his shell and the ball hit him in the head and went flying straight at Goose. Goose spread her wings and stopped the ball dead in it's tracks.Franklin knew what his team had to do to start scoring some goals.His team practiced everyday until the next game and they were really excited to show the other team what they could do now. It was time for their last game and they were ready to show the other team what they had been working on. They went out onto the field and were ready to go, but in the first few minutes of the game Bear's team scored a goal. Franklin's coach called a timeout and told them that it was time for their special play. They went back out on the field and put the play into action and they scored, but it wasn't enough Bear's team scored in the final minutes of the game and won two to one.Franklin's team coach gave ribbons to everyone for their great teamwork and effort and after they all went and got ice cream to celebrate.This would be a good book to read to children because it explains the importance of teamwork. It also explains to kids that it's not always about winning but having fun. Kids need to know about these things because i

This was a very helpful tool to teach my daughter the value of being a team player. It also was helpfull in pointing out that everyone has special skills you just have to look for them. This book also is excelent in pointing out that winning is not what is most important!