In case you missed it because you live on a desert island or you hate football (in which case, you might want to Google another writer but please come back after July 13th) – England kick off their World Cup campaign in Brazil tonight at 11.00 pm. Meanwhile, publishers and book people have been going all out with World Cup 2014 themed blogs, displays and books. I have even participated in a few – wahoo!
First up you can read an interview with Tom Palmer and me about how football can get children reading on this Guardian Children’s Books blog. Cool photo, eh? I admit it was taken a couple of years ago at the Lowdham Book Festival but I haven’t seen Tom in ages, so that’s my excuse.
Reads United in action, Lowdham Festival
I am also mentioned in the same Guardian feature on the Book Doctor page about the best books with girls playing football. As if that wasn’t enough coverage, the next day What’s Ukrainian for Football? was chosen as one of Dave Cousin’s Top 11 Football Books. Wow! That’s such an accolade.
I can replay the compliment by telling you that I am half way through Dave Cousin’s new book Charlie Merrick’s Misfits. In fact, you can download a poster of me posing with my copy for the National Literacy Trust & Renaissance Learning here.
The wonderful people at The Reading Agency also sent two of their finest, Robert and Juliana, to interview me at home. You can see the video here. I must confess haven’t watched it all through – I cringe when I hear and see myself!
It’s great that I am becoming a go-to author on football books. I think I am still the only writer who has written an entire series (Girls FC) about a girls’ football team. I hope I get as much attention in 2015 when the Women’s World Cup takes place in Canada.
Until them – come on, England!
