Madlenka, Soccer Star

"In the universe, on a planet, on a continent, in a country, in a city, on a block, in a house, lives a little girl named Madlenka, who dreams of being a soccer star." Madlenka's home remains a place that's at once familiar and fantastic, where no one, not even the trash cans, can avoid soccer fever. Dribbling along the street, Madlenka challenges everything she meets, from mailboxes to parking meters (which have eyes, limbs, and surprised expressions) and a team of cats. Endnotes about the history and global love of the game drive home the message: "The whole world wants to play soccer!" Ages 4–8. (Oct.)