Soccer World

Competitive twins are transported to a place where it's all soccer all the time--and where teamwork is paramount--in this perfect wish-fulfillment story for all the legions of young fans everywhere.

Twins Pete and Zoe live and breathe soccer. Pete is an all-star goalie, covering angles, batting away balls, and diving for saves on his way to a shutout. Zoe is the team's best striker, dekeing defenders, crushing corner kicks, and nutmegging the other goalie for a hat trick. But no matter how good they are at what they do, they're always arguing about whose job is more important on the field. Until one day, when a magical rolling ball whisks them off to a fantastical place called Soccer World, where everyone plays the game all day and all night. It's amazing! But can Pete and Zoe find a way to appreciate each other's talents and work together in order to win the championship? The author of Basketball Town delivers an action-filled companion sure to satisfy young soccer lovers everywhere.

Author: Scott Rothman
Publisher: Candlewick Press (MA)
Published: 04/28/2026
Pages: 48
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.75lbs
Size: 11.11h x 8.44w x 0.48d
ISBN: 9781536235845
Audience: Ages 4-8


Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 02/01/2026
School Library Journal 01/01/2026 pg. 54

About the Author
Scott Rothman is the author of Basketball Town, illustrated by Darnell Johnson; Attack of the Underwear Dragon, Return of the Underwear Dragon, and Blue Bison Needs a Haircut, all illustrated by Pete Oswald; Parfait, Not Parfait!, illustrated by Avery Monsen; and Mako and Tiger: Two Not-So-Friendly Sharks, illustrated by Mika Song. His humor writing has appeared in the New Yorker, GQ, Maxim, and McSweeney's, and he has sold screenplays to several major studios, including for the feature film Draft Day. Scott Rothman lives in Connecticut with his wife and three children.

Daniel Duncan is the author-illustrator of the picture book South and the illustrator of Mr. Posey's New Glasses by Ted Kooser, The Purple Puffy Coat by Maribeth Boelts, and The Girl Who Could Fix Anything: Beatrice Shilling, World War II Engineer by Mara Rockliff, among other books for children. Daniel Duncan lives outside London.