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Soccer World Mexico
Ethan continues his adventures around the world, this time meeting up with his young soccer-playing friend Gabriel in Mexico City as they explore the culture and customs of our neighbors to the south. From a walking tour of Mexico City to visits at ancient civilization ruins; from an amazing once-in-a-lifetime butterfly migration sanctuary to colorful Lucha Libre wrestling - Ethan and readers experience the real Mexico, away from the tourist traps and border towns.
Activities generated from each chapter are wide-ranging, including learning Spanish, science and math projects based on the Mayan cultures, creative writing and art projects borrowed from Mexican folk art and celebrations, and even a few simple recipes. As in all Soccer World adventures, readers will have the opportunity to research a “give back” project in Mexico and, through their efforts, make a difference in this wonderful country.
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Ethan Zohn's children's book is simply the best. —Tonic.com May 2010 |
Children's Literature Review June 2010—Soccer player Ethan Zahn used the million dollars he won the Survivor TV series to parley his interest in soccer into Grassroot Soccer, a non-profit dedicated to AIDS education and prevention. This book is one of a series that features Ethan visiting a young soccer player in another country. Despite the series title, “Explore the World through Soccer,” the game itself plays a minor role in this informational book. Instead the framework allows the book to deliver a potpourri of facts about the history, culture, geography of the host country, along with some science facts and activities. The information is divided into chapters; rather than photos, the illustrations are graphic novel style, in keeping with the layout. The readable text is dotted with pull-outs featuring smaller chunks of information or vocabulary.
Tonic.com May 2010 —Ethan Zohn's children's book is simply the best.
Jack Bell, New York Times May 2010—An early winner of the CBS show “Survivor,” Zohn took his $1 million prize and dived into the world of philanthropy with Grassroots Soccer (an organization that promotes AIDS awareness in Africa) and other projects. This is a children’s book written by a guy who is a child at heart.
“Ethan demonstrates the culturally empowering aspect of sports in a way that kids will embrace and enjoy. Parents everywhere will enjoy reading these books with their kids and will find them both educational and fun.”
—Lance Armstrong, seven-time Tour de France winner
“Fantastic! Soccer World blends history, culture, and the excitement of soccer all rolled into one. Kids are sure to love these.”
—Jack Bell, The New York Times soccer columnist
“These books are terrific and any parent should be excited to share them with their children . . . it's the perfect mix of education and soccer!”
—Mia Hamm, two-time FIFA World Player of the Year
“With Ethan’s Soccer World books I can share with my son not only the fun of soccer, but also the cultural and geographical importance of the world's greatest game! Soccer World is a kick that I will pass on to my son.”
—Brandi Chastain, FIFA World Cup Winner
“Ethan’s books provide a passport around the world to soccer-playing and soccer-loving kids everywhere!”
--Cobi Jones, former L.A. Galaxy player and current assistant coach
“The Soccer World series is an inventive way to instruct and entertain children, all through the lively eyes of soccer star Ethan Zohn. The books speak to kids on their level, engaging them with fascinating facts about the host countries and include supplemental fun activities to try at home. In each book, Ethan will meet a young friend who serves as a wonderful entry point for a child's understanding as well as that region's culture. I heartily endorse this book series—and learned quite a few things myself!”
—Kate Boutilier, executive producer, “Rugrats” and “The Wild Thornberrys”
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Shawn Braley, Shawn Braley is an award-winning illustrator. He attended the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art, Inc. He specializes in cartoon and editorial illustration. Braley is also a world traveler, musician, cat owner, and comic art collector. He lives in Southern Vermont. http://www.shawnbraley.com
In nature, rainwater seeps through rocks in the ground, a process that helps clean it. Here is a fun experiment to show exactly how this process works. The sand and charcoal trap the particles of dirt in the water, making it cleaner!
