Pele, King of Soccer/Pele, El Rey del Futbol

Summary of Book

This acclaimed bilingual children’s book, Spanish/English, is a fun way to introduce simple words and phrases in both languages and is sure to be a welcome resource at home and in schools and libraries.

Monica Brown and Rudy Gutierrez team up to deliver what Kirkus called, in a starred review, an “inspiring blend of art and story,” about the most famous soccer star in the world, Pelé.

This bilingual picture book will inspire, teach, and amaze readers as they learn about the man who revolutionized the sport of soccer.

Do you know how a poor boy from Brazil who loved fútbol more than anything else became the biggest soccer star the world has ever known? This is the true story of Pelé, King of Soccer, the first man in the history of the sport to score a thousand goals and become a living legend.

Rudy Gutierrez’s dynamic illustrations make award-winning author Monica Brown’s story of this remarkable sports hero come alive!

Author Biography

Monica Brown is the author of Pele, King Of Soccer/Pele, El rey del futbol and Side by Side/Lado a lado as well as the Pura Belpre Honor winners My Name is Celia/Me llamo Celia and My Name Is Gabito/Mi Llamo Gabito. Monica lives in Flagstaff, Arizona, with her husband and two daughters.

Monica Brown es la autora de Pele, King Of Soccer/Pele, El rey del futbol y Side by Side/Lado a lado, y de los libros ganadores del Honor Pura Belpré My Name is Celia/Me llamo Celia y My Name Is Gabito/Mi Llamo Gabito. Monica vive en Flagstaff, Arizona, con su marido y sus dos hijas.

Illustrator Biography

Rudy Gutierrez spent many days playing stickball and cards with his father and listening to stories about his life. Rudy's memories of his dad's character, honesty, and optimism inspired his illustrations in this book.

Rudy teaches at the Pratt Institute. He received a Gold Medal from the Society of Illustrators and was commissioned to do art for the acclaimed Santana Shaman CD cover. He also illustrated Malcolm X, an ALA Notable Children's Book. Rudy lives in Bogota, New Jersey.

El trabajo del premiado artista Rudy Gutiérrez se ha exhibido por todos los Estados Unidos e internacionalmente. También creó el arte para la cubierta del CD de Santana llamado Shaman. Rudy es profesor en el Instituto Pratt y vive en Bogota, Nueva Jersey.