For the Love of Soccer! / ¡Por amor al fútbol!

By Pelé

Illustrated by Frank Morrison

On Sale: Apr 7, 2026
Page Count: 32 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
ISBN-13: 9780316576444

$9.99

$12.99 CAD

Format

Trade Paperback (Spanish, Bilingual edition)

Format:

Trade Paperback (Spanish, Bilingual edition) $9.99 $12.99 CAD

Buy from Other Retailers:

World Cup fans, come play! Written by soccer legend Pelé, this heartwarming bilingual picture book celebrates what he loved most about the game.

What does the world’s greatest soccer player love about soccer? The same things that you do! Speed, teamwork, dribbling, passing, taking your best shot—and making a G-O-O-A-A-A-L!

Award-winning artist Frank Morrison sets up the play by weaving together two dynamic visual stories: Pelé’s inspiring rise to fame and a young athlete’s efforts to follow in his hero’s speedy footsteps―told joyfully in both English and Spanish. Together, words and pictures deliver all the fun and excitement of a closely matched game.

Beginning reader editions also available:
For the Love of Soccer!, Level 2 (English)
Por amor al fútbol, Level 2 (Spanish)

¡Fanáticos y fanáticas de la Copa Mundial, vengan a jugar! Escrito por Pelé, la leyenda del fútbol, este conmovedor libro ilustrado bilingüe celebra lo que él más amaba del juego.

¿Qué es lo que el mejor jugador de fútbol del mundo ama de este deporte? ¡Lo mismo que tú! La velocidad, el trabajo en equipo, bajar el balón, pasarlo, intentar un tiro y… ¡GOOOOOOL!

El galardonado artista Frank Morrison prepara el juego entretejiendo dos dinámicas historias visuales: el inspirador ascenso a la fama de Pelé y los esfuerzos de un joven atleta por seguir los veloces pasos de su héroe―alegremente contadas tanto en inglés como en español. Juntas, las palabras y las imágenes ofrecen toda la diversión y la emoción de un juego reñido.

También están disponibles las siguientes ediciones para lectores principiantes:
For the Love of Soccer!, Nivel 2 (Inglés)
Por amor al fútbol, Nivel 2 (Español)

Genre:

"The legendary soccer player composes a stirring ode to his beloved sport. A must-share for soccer enthusiasts of any age."
Kirkus Reviews
"New soccer fans will welcome this addition."
School Library Journal
"This exuberant double introduction to the world’s most popular sport and to one of its most enduringly popular figures."
Booklist

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Pelé

About the Author

Pelé joined his first professional team at age 15, and went on to a dazzling career. He became the top scorer in the history of the Brazil national team, as well as the first player ever to win three World Cup medals. He also played for the New York Cosmos, and his charisma and grace on the field helped popularize soccer in America. After his retirement in 1977, he was an ambassador for soccer worldwide. This was his first book for children.

Frank Morrison is known for his energetic, fluid illustrations of dancers, musicians, and athletes. He is the illustrator of Out of the Ballpark by Alex Rodriguez and Queen of the Scene by Queen Latifah, and was awarded a Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe Award for New Talent for Jazzy Miz Mozetta by Brenda C. Roberts, as well as a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award for Let the Children March by Monica Clark-Robinson, and a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor for Little Melba and Her Big Trombone by Katheryn Russell-Brown. He lives in Atlanta, Georgia with his wife and five children. Visit him online at morrisongraphics.com.

Learn more about this author