Cherry Praileau is the author of the book “Coach Shirley’s Soccer Team: Winning the Game of Life,” which introduces young readers to core values such as teamwork, confidence and self‑belief. The book highlights Shirley’s Laws, a set of clear principles guiding children in how to show up and work together.
These lessons also help children take responsibility for their actions both on and off the field. Each lesson guides kids toward personal growth by connecting everyday behavior with long‑term character development.
Prailleau and Coach Shirley herself joined “Arizona Horizon” to discuss the values at the center of this new children’s book.
“One of the biggest laws is self belief, and I will love myself,” Coach Shirley said when talking about her most important laws. “And it’s all done through having fun with sports.”
Coach Shirley was able to use soccer as a tool to teach life lessons. Coach Shirley has her kids recite the laws as well before every game and practice, and Prailleau didn’t want to change a single thing.
One law stressed by Coach Shirley is that though winning is important, it is not the only possible outcome for success.
“It’s not just about winning; it’s about who you are becoming. Your character as a person,” Prailleau said.
The book is targeted for children ages 5 to 8. This was the targeted age range because Prailleau believes that, especially as a mom, that is the age that kids should be learning how to be truly kind and loving and work within a team.
“My daughter has to cheer on her teammates,” Prailleau said when explaining the impact of these lessons at that age. “So she has to be a team player. It can’t just be that I’m going to be the winner.”
