There’s nothing quite like the ripple of excitement in the air at the end of a school year. Late spring brings warm weather, vivid colors outside our windows, and the promise of summer up ahead. Another thing we love about this time of the year is field day!

When was the last time you participated in field day? For some of us, it’s been years. For others, we might be coming off fresh from an egg and spoon relay or a hula hoop jump. Field days are celebratory and optimistic ways to get together with our community, burn off some energy, and congratulate each other on another completed school year.

This special yearly event always makes us think of one of our recent Cardinal Rule Press titles, Evie’s Field Day: More Than One Way to Win by Claire Noland and illustrated by Alicia Teba.

In Evie’s Field Day, Evie loves to run, jump, hop and most of all – win! She even has a special place in her room for her beloved trophies and ribbons. Evie can’t wait to outrun and outplay her classmates on Field Day. So when things don’t go her way, she makes a bit of a scene. But then, she finds herself in first place and faces a big decision: will she choose personal glory or the chance to shine by being a kind friend?

Evie’s Field Day by Claire Annette Noland carries the key message of empathy, winning the right way and good sportsmanship supported by the many advocates of positive parenting solutions. This award-winning story was on the New York Public Library 2021 Spring Picks List and has been called “a lively read-aloud promoting the virtues of sportsmanship” by Kirkus. Rita Christensen of School Library Journal says “echoic words scattered throughout the text put some zing into the story and highlight the Field Day activities. Realistic portrayals of competition and teamwork make this a strong addition to any library.”

There’s also extensive backmatter for young readers that helps identify how to be a good sport and put that character trait into practice every day. In addition, we offer free resources to extend the conversation and build connections beyond the pages of the book. Find our comprehensive reader’s guide here, full of education lesson extensions, creative activities, and fun prompts to encourage kids to consider what good sportsmanship means to them. There are coloring pages too, for when everyone’s tuckered out from a long day of chasing each other on the field.

We’re also thrilled to announce a new Spanish version of Evie’s Field Day, available on August 1st 2022.

Check out author Claire Noland’s website to find out more about her writing backstory, how to book a school visit, and to download a free printable gift that will help us all remember to be a little more like Evie.

And we’re thrilled to spread kindness by giving you a special offer for field day season: between 5/16/2022 and 6/15/2022, we’re offering a 30% discount on Evie’s Field Day when you purchase your copy from our store.

What’s your favorite field day activity? Here at Cardinal Rule Press, our team has lots that we’re drawn to. In fact, check out our social media to find photographs of Cardinal Rule Press team members and their families enjoying field day activities. Sometimes, we even bring Evie along to remind us to play fair, be kind, and know that there’s more than one way to win.

Christie Megill is an editorial and marketing intern at Cardinal Rule Press and she spends most of her spare time reading children’s books. She has experience as a writer, elementary school teacher, curriculum developer, and literacy specialist.