April & Mae and the Soccer Match

September 1, 2022

K-Gr 3-April and Mae are best friends who have a different activity scheduled every day of the week. Each story in the series starts out similarly, with a reminder that while April and Mae (as well as April's dog and Mae's cat) are best pals, they also have their differences. April is bold where Mae is shy. Mae is tidy when April is not. In the adventures that follow, readers will celebrate those differences as April and Mae help each other when things don't go to plan. When the two lose their soccer game because of a muddy field, April laughs about it and pulls Mae out of her funk. When April has stage fright performing at the talent show, Mae (with some assistance from the misbehaving pets) gets her back on track. The colorful illustrations are appealing, and readers will appreciate the threads connecting each entry of the series, such as the constant companionship of the animals and Mae's love of baking. While the series supports the literacy development of emerging readers, it also encourages social and emotional learning, specifically in the recognition of facial expressions and modeling appropriate emotional responses. Colored circles appear on some pages, each holding a close-up of a character's face. When April is uncertain about performing at the talent show, her brows are furrowed. When Mae is laughing at April's antics, she sports a wide grin, and her eyes are closed. When April reads a story aloud, Mae cries first from laughter and then from sadness, allowing readers to explore the difference. VERDICT Following this celebration of friendship and feelings, early readers will want to know what April and Mae do next.-Alyssa Annico

Copyright 2022 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 1, 2022
At Tuesday's soccer game, April and Mae have an opportunity for competition and reflection. The field, muddy after a rain shower, causes Mae to slip as she tries to kick the ball to make a winning goal. April cheers despite their team losing the match. "It's all right! It's OK! We will win another day!" But Mae is upset about losing and about being covered in mud. April good-naturedly tries to tell Mae that winning isn't everything; it's more important to do your best and have fun. The two go to Mae's house, and Mae worries that she is "the best at baking...but...the worst at soccer." As they wash up, the two giggle over how muddy they are, and April's supportive friendship buoys Mae, who later concedes that her soccer skills aren't that bad. "Maybe it is mud that is bad for soccer." In this latest entry of a series that follows April and Mae throughout a week, two best friends show that a few laughs and the understanding of a good pal can save the day. With brief sentences and a simple yet delightful plot, this early reader, enhanced with digital illustrations, continues to highlight the caring and sympathetic relationship between two companions who work through the ups and downs of everyday life. April is Black, while Mae is Asian. A sweet tale of two true winners who navigate their expectations together with a healthy attitude. (Early reader. 6-8)

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