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The Field

A game of futbol on the island of Saint Lucia in the Caribbean isn’t going to be stopped by anything. Not cows on the field (“Shoo!”) or the arrival of rain (“Dash. Splash. Slip-slide. Belly flop!”) or the calls of mamas that it’s time to come home as the sun begins to set (“Vini, abwezan! Come now!”). Only when the game is finally over do the children disperse, racing off to their homes in the dusk. “We dream about futbol. We dream about friends. Until the field calls again.” A spare, energetic narrative that weaves in words from the author’s native Creole language expresses a joyful sense of childhood and community that is extended by marvelous illustrations full of energy, color and movement. An author’s note about his childhood playing futbol on Saint Lucia, and a glossary of Creole terms, is provided at story’s end. ©2019 Cooperative Children’s Book Center

Illustrated by Jacqueline Alcantara

Wisconsin author

Baptiste Paul was born and raised in Santa Lucia, West Indies. He has lived in Green Bay and currently lives in Bellevue, Wisconsin.

CCBC Age Recommendation: Ages 4-8
Age Range: PreK-Early Elementary (Ages 4-7) Grades 3-5 (Ages 8-10)
Format: Picture book
Subjects: Caribbean Islanders Creole Language Sports
Diversity subjects: Black/African Latine

Publisher: NorthSouth
Publish Year: 2018
Pages: 24
ISBN: 9780735843127

CCBC Location: Picture Book, Paul

The Field