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by Claude Louis (Author), Maryna Kryvets (Illustrator)
One Ball, One World: Emilio's Dream of the World Cup
A powerful children's book about football, hope, and global unity
What if one simple ball could remind the world who we really are?
Emilio is a joyful and courageous boy from Haiti who plays football barefoot with a ball made of rags-on dusty ground, under an open sky. He does not have a stadium, expensive cleats, or a real uniform. But what he does have is something far more powerful: imagination, determination, and a dream that reaches far beyond the place he calls home.
As the world counts down to the greatest tournament on earth, the FIFA World Cup, Emilio begins to wonder about something bigger than football itself. He has seen how the game can bring people together. He has watched children laugh, celebrate, and forget their struggles the moment the ball begins to roll. But he also wonders why that same spirit of unity so often disappears after the final whistle.
Why can people from different countries cheer together during the World Cup, yet struggle to see one another as equals afterward?
Through courage, kindness, and imagination, Emilio discovers that football (soccer) is more than a sport. It is a universal language that connects children across countries, cultures, and circumstances. Whether played in crowded cities, quiet villages, dusty streets, or open fields, the game carries the same joy everywhere. In Emilio's world, the ball does not care about borders, wealth, language, or flags. It simply invites children to play together.
Appropriate for readers ages 7-11, One Ball, One World is an inspiring and educational children's book that encourages young readers to think beyond themselves and see the humanity in others. This heartfelt story introduces children to:
- The power of resilience and perseverance
- Diversity and global awareness
- Empathy for children around the world
- Compassion, kindness, and inclusion
- The unifying joy of football
- Hope in the face of hardship
- The importance of dignity, belonging, and shared humanity
Beautifully written and emotionally uplifting, this story is ideal for:
- Parents searching for meaningful bedtime stories
- Teachers exploring multicultural and social-emotional learning
- Young football and soccer fans
- Families inspired to raise empathetic and compassionate children
- Classrooms discussing diversity, unity, and global citizenship
- Readers who enjoy inspirational sports stories with heart and purpose
More than a children's story, One Ball, One World is a reminder that every child-regardless of where they are born-deserves the opportunity to dream, to learn, to play, and to feel valued.
At a time when the world can often feel divided, Emilio's journey offers a message of hope that children and adults alike will carry long after the final page.
If your child loves inspirational stories, football adventures, and books about making a difference, this unforgettable journey will spark meaningful conversations and lasting inspiration.
Because the greatest goal isn't scored in a stadium...
It happens when a child realizes they matter.
