The World Game: An Interview with Author John Coy

The World Cup is quickly approaching and all young soccer fans are on waiting to see who comes out on top! Encourage their love of the game and the love of reading in one fell swoop with this new, high-energy picture book from author John Coy.

The World Game: Soccer Circles the Globe follows a fast-paced soccer game around the globe, moving to a new location with each turn of the page. The game begins in early morning in Chicago, USA, and spans time zones, with a nighttime matchup in Shenzhen, China; an early evening game in Kochi, India; and midafternoon match in Lagos, Nigeria. Vibrant illustrations by Phùng Nguyên Quang keep readers hooked until the final goooooooooal!

What was your inspiration for this book?

I love soccer (also called football and other names) and have been lucky enough to watch it in parks, on beaches, in empty lots, stadiums, and anywhere else people can get a game. I have also been fortunate to travel to over fifty countries and everywhere I go, people play soccer. It is truly the world game.

Did you play soccer when you were a kid?

Yes, I enjoyed playing soccer as a kid, but it wasn’t as popular in the United States as it is now. Watching the growth and development of soccer for kids has been very exciting.

What kind of research did you do for this book?

I watched a lot of soccer in all kinds of locations. I specifically remember a game in a parking lot in front of the main train station in Yangon, Myanmar, where the players had set their flip flops by one of the goals they’d made so that they could run faster in bare feet. One of the joys of being an author is picking an interesting topic so that the research itself is fun.

Is there back matter in the book?

Yes, of course. Carol Hinz, my editor, is the Queen of Back Matter, so we have interesting information about the history of the game, the time zones featured in the book, and the names people call soccer in different countries. We even have a map—and I am a big fan of having maps in books. Please, check it out.

What do you think of the art by Phung Nguyen Quang?

I love it. Quang did such a great job getting the energy, enthusiasm, and passion into the art. I am particularly impressed with the way he uses color in the different countries to highlight location, mood, and movement. We wanted to make this game inviting, and his art encourages readers to join this world game right away.

Praise for The World Game

“A visually dynamic exploration of soccer’s global reach, blending artistic innovation with informative content, best appreciated for its inventive design and educational back matter.”—Booklist

“Just the ticket to catch young fans’ interest in the beautiful game.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Ardent soccer fans will appreciate this celebration of the world’s most popular game.”—School Library Journal

“The text breathlessly describes the fast-paced action during each game, with young players kicking, heading, and dribbling the ball with impressive athletic skill. . . . Quang’s vibrant cartoony illustrations, made with pencil and Photoshop, deftly depict players in motion. . .”—Horn Book Magazine

Connect with the Author

John Coy is the author of young adult novels, the 4 for 4 middle-grade series, and nonfiction and fiction picture books including Hoop Genius, Game Changer, Their Great Gift, Dads, If We Were Gone, and Where We Come From. He has received numerous awards for his work including a Marion Vannett Ridgway Award, a Charlotte Zolotow Honor, a Bank Street College Best Book of the Year, and the Burr/Warzalla Award for Distinguished Achievement in Children’s Literature. John lives by the Mississippi River in Minneapolis.