At Childress Ink, we love connecting great books with the moments families are already celebrating. This summer, as the world cheers on the beautiful game, we're inviting young readers to discover stories of teamwork, perseverance, and character through books.
Celebrate the World Cup with Books!⚽
Enter Our World Cup Reading Celebration Giveaway
The world's biggest soccer tournament is finally here, and at Childress Ink and Ink-a-Dink Children's Bookstore, we're celebrating in one of our favorite ways—with great books!
Whether your family is gathering to cheer on a favorite team, discovering new international stars, or introducing young readers to "the beautiful game," books are a wonderful way to keep the excitement going long after the final whistle.
We're excited to announce our World Cup Reading Celebration Giveaway!
🎉 Nine Books. Nine Winners.
Thanks to the generosity of our publishing partners, nine lucky winners will each receive one of these outstanding soccer-themed books.
⚽ Lionel Messi's World Cup Triumph: History's Greatest Games #1
by Chris Barish, illustrated by Nate Sweitzer
One of soccer's greatest stories comes to life in this exciting account of Lionel Messi's unforgettable World Cup victory. Perfect for sports fans, young readers, and anyone who loves stories of perseverance, teamwork, and achieving lifelong dreams.
⭐ I Am Kylian: The True Story of an International Soccer Champion
by Kylian Mbappé, illustrated by Faro
Discover the inspiring journey of one of today's brightest soccer stars. This beautifully illustrated biography follows Kylian Mbappé from his childhood dreams to becoming an international champion, reminding young readers that dedication and hard work can take you anywhere.
🐝 Bee-attitudes, written and illustrated by Becky Lane
Soccer isn't just about scoring goals—it's also about teamwork, kindness, encouragement, and character. Through Little Bee's adventures on and off the field, readers discover valuable life lessons that extend far beyond the game itself.
Why Soccer and Reading Make the Perfect Team
Sports stories have a unique ability to inspire readers of all ages. They celebrate determination, resilience, friendship, leadership, and the courage to keep going even when the odds seem impossible.
Whether your young reader dreams of playing on the world stage, enjoys learning about real athletes, or simply loves a great story, these books offer something for everyone.
Reading together during the World Cup is also a wonderful way for families to connect—watch a match, read a chapter, and keep the conversation going.
How to Enter
⚽ Three copies of each featured title will be awarded.
📚 Individual Entrees Required
📚 Nine winners will be selected.
📅 Enter now through July 31, 2026.
🎉 Winners will be announced on August 1, 2026.
Good luck, and enjoy celebrating the World Cup through the power of books!
Browse Even More Soccer Books
Looking for additional recommendations? Visit our specially curated World Cup Reading Celebration Bookshop collection featuring biographies, inspiring true stories, picture books, and middle-grade novels for soccer fans of every age.
Until next time...
Keep reading—and enjoy the games!
—Kim Childress
Childress Ink & Ink-a-Dink Children's Bookstore
Kim Childress is an award-winning editor and author of hundreds of books for children and adults, including Find Your Future in Art. She is a product developer in children’s publishing, book editor for Girls’ Life magazine since its 1994 debut, and former middle-grade acquisitions editor for HarperCollins (Zondervan). She has maintained a successful career while raising a personal focus group of four children through diapers, doctors, broken bones, college, and plagues. Learn more about Kim and follow her adventures at ChildressInk.com and Ink-a-Dink.com. You can purchase her workshops at penconeditors.com, including on editing middle-grade and YA fiction and nonfiction, creating books of excellence for young readers, How a Book is Made from Start to Finish, and Trends and Opportunities in Fiction and Nonfiction Picture Books. Find these and more workshops from editors of excellence at penconeditors.com.