The execution of this marvelous concept to teach a little bit of Spanish through a little bit of soccer is as good as the idea, with a series of charming illustrations by Erik Ebeling making it a breezy, informative and enjoyable read. Seriously.

Check out the sample graphics on the PI ebookstore, and consider plonking down $5.99 for it (available worldwide, so whatever that translates to into your non-American currency).

And of course, you may want to take a gander at the brand new Very Best of Pitch Invasion book on the PI store too, also $5.99, or $11.99 in real, live print at Amazon.

We do appreciate any and all support for the PI books, whether you can buy a copy or just spread the word – it will help keep going all we’ve done for the past few years, and with a marketing budget of $0 and capital investment of $0, grassroots help is all we have. The PI book has gotten off to a good start, so thanks to you all!

“Zhongguo, Zhongguo — ha, ha, ha. Zhongguo, Zhongguo bi sheng,” the crowd shouts, simultaneously beating yellow, stick-shaped batons to the rhythm. “Jia you, jia you.” Rough translation: “China, China — ha, ha, ha. China, China must win. Let’s go, let’s go.”

One of about 20 cheers approved by authorities, it’s drilled a half-dozen times, orderly repetitions practiced in a meeting hall darkened by stained gray carpet squares and wood paneling. Thirty red and yellow paper lanterns dangle overhead, casting faint light on government slogans papering the walls.

Welcome to the “Beijing Civilized Workers Cheering Squad,” a public-education program to teach sportsmanship, all part of a larger Olympic etiquette campaign to show off a polite, prosperous and powerful China.

…

“We are not going to shout profanities in front of foreigners because the Olympics is a show for foreigners,” said Lui Wei, a 21-year-old spectator attending a recent Guo’an game.

Said foreigners were off buying books on Chinese swear words and were not available for comment.