Do You See Me Playing Sports?


Children - Action
32 Pages
Reviewed on 11/24/2024
Buy on Amazon

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Author Biography

Tuula Pere (b. 1958) holds a Ph.D. in Law and is an award-winning children’s author from Helsinki, Finland. Her doctoral dissertation, published in 2015, examines the limits of freedom of speech in the Finnish mass media amidst the social and cultural shifts of the 1960s and 1970s. Prior to her doctoral research, Tuula Pere had a career spanning over two decades as a lawyer and held various expert and executive positions in large industrial companies.

Since 2010, Tuula Pere has published over sixty children's books, many of which have been translated into multiple languages. She has also authored poetry and aphorisms for children, as well as short stories and non-fiction for adults. Tuula Pere is an avid music and sports enthusiast and a keen baker. She is married and the mother of three.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Makeda Cummings for Readers' Favorite

Tuula Pere's Do You See Me Playing Sports? is an adorable children's book that explores the anxieties kids sometimes experience when participating in sports. The story is about a little boy who belongs to the Chipmunks sporting team. He is uncertain about joining in the fun activities that day. From his point of view, the high bars are too high to jump over, soccer looks quite dangerous, the starting pistol that signals the beginning of a race is too noisy, and the gymnastics area looks too scary. Fortunately, his coach reassures him that these activities can all be readjusted to make him and his teammates feel more comfortable participating in the day's events. Does this clever, imaginative solution work? Will the little boy join in the fun activities now?

Do You See Me Playing Sports? is a simple and thoughtful picture book that recognizes how sports can be unnerving and intimidating for young children. The story progresses smoothly and perfectly portrays the little boy's emotions when encountering each new activity. However, due to the coach's quick thinking, each sporting activity was made safe and enjoyable for the boy and his friends to participate in that day. The illustrations by Majigsuren Enkhbat are lively and animated. Children will love them. They fill the book with warmth and gentleness. Tuula Pere uses uncomplicated language and authentic situations to make her picture book easy for young readers to understand and identify with. I recommend this lovely children's book to parents who want to introduce their little ones to sports for the first time. I'm sure they will appreciate this author's kind and empathetic approach to encouraging children to participate in something new and fun.

Luwi Nyakansaila

Do You See Me Playing Sports? by Tuula Pere is a children’s picture book that follows a young boy and his father as they visit a sports field. It explores the apprehension young children feel about engaging in sports. To the young boy, everything in the field is too big, loud, or dangerous. The grandstand and track are too long for him, and he does not understand why they have to shoot a starting pistol. He prefers the chipmunk games he plays with his friends that are safer with them jumping on cushions and playing comfortably barefoot in the grass. Understanding his predicament, the young boy’s father explains everything to him and comes up with a creative plan to help ease his fears and enjoy sports.

Sports are fun, but sometimes they can be rough and hectic. This may scare children who are used to the pleasure of gentler play. In Do You See Me Playing Sports? Tuula Pere educates parents and caregivers about recognizing and addressing their children's anxieties around sports. The author highlights the creative ideas that safeguard kids during sports like providing cushions when they fall in gymnastics, clapping instead of using a pistol to start a race, and playing soccer barefoot to prevent injuries. The story also emphasizes the importance of communication when navigating children's fears, illustrating how supportive dialogue between a parent and child can help them overcome anxiety and build confidence. Additionally, the colorful illustrations by Majigsuren Enkhbat perfectly complement the story and add humor to the narration. I enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone looking for a gentle and engaging way to address children's fears surrounding sports.

Pikasho Deka

Visiting a big playground for the first time can be overwhelming for youngsters. Do You See Me Playing Sports? shows a child arriving at a large playground with their parent for the first time. Written by Tuula Pere, this picture book captures the experience of a young boy who feels a bit out of place when his father takes him to join his new sports group -- the Chipmunks. The young boy thinks the bar is too high, but he can still have fun just bouncing like a squirrel or a rabbit on the mat. It's no fun if someone has to shoot before a race as you can always start running without the bang of a pistol. Little ones would rather play soccer barefoot than wear cleats.

Competitive sports can be intimidating as children want to have fun when they play. Do You See Me Playing Sports? follows the story of a young boy for whom sports are just a way to have fun with friends. He doesn't want to hurt himself by doing something he doesn't like. The protagonist in this book would rather watch soccer on TV from the comfort of the sofa in his home than go to a game and sit in the stands alongside noisy, scary fans screaming all around him. Author Tuula Pere has done a wonderful job of tapping into the feelings of a child who isn't that fond of playing competitive sports. The artwork by Majigsuren Enkhbat is simple yet captivating. An engaging concept picture book for kids!