Fútbol Is Life! / ¡Fútbol Es Vida! (Bilingual Hardcover Storybook)

An inspirational bilingual picture book from Cristo Fernández, the actor and filmmaker best known for his role as Dani Rojas on the Emmy Award-winning show Ted Lasso. Cristobalito and his soccer ball go everywhere together in his Mexican hometown of Guadalajara, Jalisco . . . until an injury leaves him sidelined. Without the ball at his feet, Cristo looks around. Could his grandmother teach him the art of making tamales? Could his sister show him a whole new way of moving, like ballet? What else has he been missing? Inspired by Ted Lasso actor Cristo Fernández's own life, this English-Spanish bilingual book celebrates growth, culture, and courage, exploring themes of being open to change and discovering new passions. Fútbol is Life! is a joyful story about resilience and heart, reminding readers that life has many ways to score . . . and every one of them is worth celebrating. With the text appearing in both English and Spanish on every page, this bilingual story is perfect for bilingual readers as well as Spanish speakers learning English and vice versa. Young soccer players and Ted Lasso fans alike will love this book! Cristobalito va con su balón de fútbol a todas partes en su ciudad natal de Guadalajara, en Jalisco, México... hasta que una lesión lo deja fuera de juego. Sin el balón a sus pies, Cristo mira a su alrededor. -Podría su abuela enseñarle el arte de hacer tamales? -Podría su hermana mostrarle una forma completamente nueva de moverse, como el ballet? -Qué más se ha estado perdiendo? Inspirado en la vida real de Cristo Fernández, el actor de la serie Ted Lasso, este libro bilingüe en inglés y español celebra el desarrollo personal, la cultura y la valentía, explorando temas como la apertura al cambio y el descubrimiento de nuevos pasatiempos. ¡Fútbol es vida! es una animada historia sobre la resiliencia y los sentimientos, que les recuerda a los lectores que en la vida se pueden anotar goles de muchas maneras... y que todas ellas merecen ser celebradas. Con texto en inglés y español en cada página, este cuento bilingüe es ideal tanto para lectores bilingües como para hispanohablantes que están aprendiendo inglés y viceversa. ¡A los pequeños futbolistas y a los fans de Ted Lasso les encantará este libro!

Cristo Fernández began his professional life as a fútbol (soccer) player in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, until injuries challenged him to reinvent his dreams. With determination, he earned a BA in Communications and later an MA in Acting in the UK, dedicating years to study, discipline, and creating his own independent work to forge a new path as an actor and filmmaker. That perseverance led him to the life-changing opportunity of Ted Lasso, where in his audition he delivered what would become Dani Rojas's now-iconic catchphrase -- a moment that transformed the trajectory of both the show and his own life. From Ted Lasso to the new stories he is creating today, Cristo continues to bring positivity, joy, and global inspiration to audiences, while elevating Latin American representation around the world.
James Rey Sanchez graduated from the Academy of Art University with a BFA in Visual Development and studies in Children's Book Illustration. His work includes illustrating the very popular children's book Irving Berlin, The Immigrant Boy Who Made America Sing.