Commentaire descriptif

Nicholas loves soccer but all his extra practice, prior to the upcoming game, is driving his family crazy. His ball keeps going in all the wrong places, knocking the wall, his sister and the aquarium. Even when he practises outside with his teammates, he still manages to find himself in trouble. As his sister laments: “Your soccer is getting on EVERYONE’S nerves!” But Roger’s preoccupation is redeemed when he scores the winning goal at the big game. The clear, straightforward narrative expresses well the anxiety and excitement that come with competitive sports. Extensive use of dialogue and onomatopoeia add to the active, descriptive language. Repetition lends rhythm and emphasis: “Nicholas dribbled his ball into the kitchen. He dribbled by his mother, who was reading the paper. He dribbled by his father . . . .” The colourful illustrations reflect the fast movements soccer. Facial expressions show the fun Nicholas and his friends have as well as his family’s frustration when his ball gets in the way. The pride on his father’s face, when Nicholas scores the winning goal, is palpable. Readers will easily identify with Nicholas and his experiences.