Best Soccer Books for Kids (2026): Kicks and Goals

For a kid who lives for Saturday games, the best soccer books for kids turn matchday heroes and tactics into reading time. This list compares soccer books for young readers, from skills guides to biographies and board books.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Soccer Smarts by Latham	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
2	What Is the World Cup? by Bader	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
3	Numbers Game! by Buckley	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
4	Soccer Adventure by Carter	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
5	Let's Play Soccer! by Swift	9.4/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Soccer Smarts by Latham

Andrew Latham·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A skills guide for ages 8 to 12, with diagrams and six superstar profiles.

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Pros

• 60 skills, strategies and secrets
• Diagrams explain passing, staying onside and scoring position
• Six superstar profiles, including Messi and Mia Hamm

Cons

• 2016 edition, the oldest book here
• Ages 8 to 12 against reading age 7 to 15
• No grade level stated

2

What Is the World Cup? by Bader

Bonnie Bader·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A World Cup history for ages 8 to 12, from the first tournament in 1930.

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Pros

• Covers the World Cup from 1930 onward
• Illustrated edition for ages 8 to 12
• Grade level 3 to 7 stated

Cons

• History, not skills coaching
• 112 pages, shorter than the skills guide
• No activities or drills stated

3

Numbers Game! by Buckley

Jr. James Buckley·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A math-meets-soccer book for ages 8 to 12, on geometry and probability.

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Pros

• Math behind goals, saves and positioning
• Photos, trivia and chapter activities
• Geometry and probability in soccer terms

Cons

• Math focus, not skills coaching
• 128 pages, shorter than the skills guide
• Grade level 3 to 7, above the youngest readers

4

Soccer Adventure by Carter

Andrew Carter·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

An illustrated Ronaldo biography for ages 5 to 9, on hard work and self-belief.

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Pros

• Illustrated biography for ages 5 to 9
• Grades 1 to 3 reading support stated
• Fun facts section included

Cons

• Reading age marked as from customers only
• 40 pages, shorter than the other storybooks
• Biography of one player only

5

Let's Play Soccer! by Swift

Cottage Door Press·9.4/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A lift-a-flap board book for ages 1 to 4, on rules and sportsmanship.

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Pros

• Chunky flaps sized for little hands
• Teaches rules, uniforms and sportsmanship
• Durable board pages for toddlers

Cons

• Reading age 1 to 2, marked as from customers, against ages 1 to 4 in the title
• 12 pages only
• Board format, not a read-alone storybook

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More picks to compare

• Soccer Time! by PierceStep 1 reader on soccer for emergent readersCheck on Amazon
• Curious George Soccer by ReyCurious George learns soccer rules at campCheck on Amazon
• World Almanac Soccer FactsWorld Cup facts collection for young soccer fansCheck on Amazon
• Soccer GOATs by BerglundGreatest soccer athletes debate for ages 8 to 11Check on Amazon
• Tiny T. Rex Tries SoccerTiny T. Rex tries soccer, with stickers insideCheck on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 25 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for the reader, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or level where one is given. Every pick lists a reading age; most also list a grade level. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best soccer books for kids

Match the age and grade to the reader

The board book suits ages 1 to 4, the Ronaldo biography suits 5 to 9, and the skills guide suits 8 to 12. Grade Preschool and up suits a different reader than grade 3 to 7, so check both figures on the listing. See the kids and teens books lists.

Pick skills, stories or facts

The skills guide teaches passing, positioning and staying onside, while the Ronaldo biography tells one player’s story and the World Cup book covers event history. A kid who wants numbers will prefer the math book. For more sports reading, see the kids biographies for sports fans.

Before you buy

• Check the reading age and grade level, and whether the age is marked as from customers.
• Check the format: board book, illustrated biography or skills guide.
• Check the edition year: the skills guide dates from 2016, the biography from 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which book teaches soccer skills?

Soccer Smarts for Kids, with 60 skills, diagrams and six superstar profiles.

What age are these books for?

Listed reading ages run 1 to 15 years.

Is there a book for toddlers?

Yes. Let’s Play Soccer! is a lift-a-flap board book for ages 1 to 4, with chunky flaps and basic rules.

Still deciding? Our top pickSoccer Smarts by Latham

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Related lists

See every Kids and Teens list.

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