Big Kicks by Bob Kolar Ages 4-8 40 pages Candlewick August 2008 Hardcover     The town soccer team wants to improve its game and decides that Biggie the bear, a great big bear who towers all over its current players, is their best option. Twirly Squirrel, Chicken Rabbit, Fluffy the Duck and Smelly Smell Skunk decide to approach Biggie, a bear content to eat his peanut butter and banana sandwiches, listen to jazz , and work on his stamp collection. Biggie agrees to join the team, though it seems that everyone quickly learns that there is more to the game than just being big. When it becomes clear Biggie is not as fast as the others and does not always kick the ball in the correct direction, the team decides to focus on his strengths and find him the perfect role. Big Kicks is a warm story with even warmer illustrations that will introduce children to soccer, along with animals and concepts such as big and little. The illustrations of all of the animals, Biggie in particular, jump off the page and make a great story even better. Children will get a big kick out of Big Kicks, and it will make a wonderful edition to your child’s book collection.     web reviews   Lori West/2008 for curled up with a good kid's book   For grown-up fiction, nonfiction and speculative fiction book reviews, visit our sister site Curled Up With a Good Book (www.curledup.com)