The Good Game

Starred review from June 1, 2024

K-Gr 2-An early reader full of vibrant visuals reflecting the actions of two great yet very different sports teams. Toto shares the story of a lacrosse game between Team Four Legs and Team Wings with his despondent grandson, who yearns to play lacrosse with the big kids in his neighborhood. In Toto's story, two small animals-a squirrel and a mouse-long to play among the big teams. In the end, they shake things up for everyone. A beginning reader's vocabulary is evident throughout; children will delight in the unexpected twist at the end. David, a member of the Mohawk people, grew up with legends and imagery that developed his love of art. All of this creativity is well-crafted inside an early reader that displays colorful, entertaining forest animals in dynamic lacrosse poses while at the same time showcasing their exaggerated expressions to keep readers engaged to the story's gratifying finale. VERDICT A clever and charming early reader with a fun out-of-the-blue turn of events and just a few words per page, this is an ideal story for burgeoning readers and a welcome book for any collection.-Lyn Smith

Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2024
Grades K-2 This adaptation of a traditional Haudenosaunee legend explains the origin of Tewa'� raton, a game known today as lacrosse. In this story within a story, a young boy laments to Tota (Grandfather) that the bigger kids don't want him to join their game. Tota recounts a tale of Squirrel and Mouse, who ask to join the bigger animals, Team Four Legs and Team Wings. Team Four Legs refuses, but the Wings fashion makeshift appendages for the two, who become winning team members and morph into Flying Squirrel and Bat. Storyteller and illustrator David (Haudenosaunee Kaniekehaka) offers here a respectful and satisfying story that should have broad appeal. The text is succinct but never choppy; vocabulary includes mostly sight words with a sprinkling of Mohawk terms whose meaning can be inferred easily. The colorful digital artwork is richly hued and contains many clever details that readers will appreciate (Deer's crosse is attached to his antlers; Mouse travels up a tree, his tail lashed to Squirrel's). Pair with David's equally pleasing Who Will Win? (2023).

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July 15, 2024
Can tiny Mouse and Squirrel hold their own in a game against larger competitors? A young Indigenous boy stands on the sidelines as others play a game of tewa'� raton (Kanien'k�ha for lacrosse), afraid to join in because he's too small. The child's grandfather comforts him with the story of one of the first lacrosse games, played by forest creatures. Divided into Team Four Legs and Team Wings, the anthropomorphic animals clutch lacrosse sticks in their paws, between their teeth, and even in their antlers. Mouse and Squirrel observe, but when they try to join Team Four Legs, Bear, Wolf, Turtle, and Deer tell them they're too little. Team Wings isn't much kinder, until Eagle comes up with the idea of outfitting Mouse and Squirrel with homemade wings of leather and string. Their once-ridiculed size soon becomes their advantage as Mouse and Squirrel fly past Team Four Legs and lead Team Wings to a quick victory. Mouse and Squirrel love their wings so much that they keep them--along with their new names, Bat and Flying Squirrel. David (Haudenosaunee Kanienkehaka) brings this tale to life with vivid cartoon images and simple text laced with an enduring message: Everyone--even the smallest of us--has unique gifts to offer. Youngsters who enjoy lacrosse will delight in learning about its origins. An encouraging story for emerging readers--especially those who love sports and animals. (author's note, glossary, list of phonic features)(Early reader. 4-8)

COPYRIGHT(2024) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

July 1, 2024
A grandfather tells his grandson about two small animals who love Tewa'a:raton (lacrosse). Mouse and Squirrel are rebuffed when they ask to join Team Four Legs and Team Wings. But Eagle has an idea that lets the flightless duo soar, leading Team Wings to victory and to Mouse's and Squirrel's new names: Bat and Flying Squirrel. Crisply rendered illustrations reward repeat readings. Mohawk author-illustrator David (Who Will Win?, rev. 3/23) offers beginning readers another entertaining Indigenous tale; helpful information precedes the story.

(Copyright 2024 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)