• Age: 6 to 8
• Grade: 1 to 3
• Reading age: 6 to 8

Eager to try a summer sport, Lucy and her friends meet at the soccer field for their first game of three-on-three!

Thanks to Coach Nick, Lucy and the rest of Team Blue learn a few basic skills as they prepare to face Team Red.The Lucy Tries Sports series is designed to encourage children to get active and participate in sports and recreation. In Lucy Tries Soccer, Lucy discovers how much fun it is to play on a team and learns why soccer is the world’s most popular game.

Available in French as Lucy joue au soccer and in Spanish as Lucy juega al fútbol.

Lisa Bowes is a sports anchor who made Canadian broadcasting history when she became the play-by-play voice for the National Women’s Hockey League. While working for CBC’s Sports Journal, she was nominated for a Gemini Award for best writing in an information program or series. In February 2010, Lisa was CTV’s host/reporter for women’s hockey at the Vancouver Olympic Winter Games. She currently works at CTV Calgary and freelances for TSN. For more information, visit www.bowesknowssports.com.

Lisa Bowes' profile page

James Hearne is an artist who loves illustrating books for children. He lives with his patient and amazing wife Paula and two beautiful daughters, Mikayla and Vicky, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He wonders how he got so lucky. James can be reached through his website www.jameshearnedesign.com

James Hearne's profile page

"Playing sports and being active empowers girls for life. Lucy Tries Sports encourages girls to try a wide range of sports and teaches them valuable lessons in leadership, supporting one another, and working towards—and achieving—your goals through sport!"

Allison Sandmeyer-Graves, CEO at CAAWS (Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity)

"Appealing and friendly illustrations...A fine introductory story to read before a new team gathers to learn the game."

School Library Journal

"The Lucy Tries Sports series teaches how sport is about fun and healthy competition. They also introduce various different sports to young kids and hopefully inspire them to stay active and healthy. I love that my kids can read the series in English and French. These books are a must for the entire family."

Catriona Le May Doan, OC and two time Olympic Speed Skating Champion

“I can't wait to share Lucy’s message of fair play and sportsmanship with my own grandchildren. The LUCY stories help children learn about sports in a gentle encouraging fun manner.”

Tony Wooster, President of Calgary Minor Soccer Association

"Lucy is an awesome role model for kids at any age! She demonstrates the value of getting involved in sports and how teamwork and good coaching can positively affect childhood and beyond."

Christine Sinclair, Captain of the Canadian National Soccer team and Olympic medalist

"This is my number-one recommendation for a game-changing book, for boys and girls alike, about sportsmanship. It's a super-fun read, and though it's targeted to children aged four to eight, my two-year-old is absolutely loving it. Of the hundreds of kids' books I've read this year, the Lucy books from Lisa Bowes are the best."

Chandra Crawford, Olympic gold medalist and founder of Fast and Female

"In jaunty rhyming text, Bowes captures the exhilaration of the game, building the anticipation as Lucy's team works collaboratively on the field...Emphasizing teamwork and good sportsmanship, the tale focuses on Lucy's enjoyment of the game...A positive example for young players. A "Fast Facts!" section provides further information about soccer for interested readers. The book's format includes text with various words and phrases highlighted in bold, eye-catching colors, accompanied by sunny, upbeat illustrations. Hearne's artwork captures the energetic enthusiasm of Lucy, a redheaded white girl, and her racially diverse friends. The cheery pictures of these young athletes wholeheartedly playing and learning the sport aptly convey the global appeal of soccer. With playful exuberance, Bowes' lively tale shares the fun of soccer with young readers."

Kirkus Reviews

"A great story for sharing with both boys and girls...The story teaches the ins and outs of soccer, in a way that many preschoolers will relate to...Recommended for school and public libraries."

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"Fitness should be fun, and the Lucy Tries Sports series is a shining example of that."

Eric Smith, television and Sportsnet Radio play-by-play voice of the Toronto Raptors

&quotThe Lucy Tries Sports series is terrific for children! It inspires them to be physically active and reinforces so many aspects of their social skill development. A really positive assistance to parenting children.&quot

Dave King, Member of the Order of Canada, Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame and IIHF Hall of Fame inductee