Soccer Hour

This third sports picture book from Nevius and Thomson (after Baseball Hour and Karate Hour) guides readers through an evening of soccer practice, as kids work on their shooting, footwork, and passing. Though Nevius's rhymed couplets are wooden at times ("In soccer hour we learn to think;/ we come prepared with ball and drink"), Thomson's hyperreal acrylic and pencil illustrations are as showstopping as ever. The kids' scrimmage jerseys and an array of bright soccer balls are the only spots of color in the warm gray spreads, making it all the easier for readers to follow that age-old piece of athletic wisdom: "Keep your eye on the ball!" Ages 4–8. (Feb.)