Penny Thomas, Publisher at award-winning children’s and YA publisher Firefly Press, has acquired world rights in non-fiction title Fantastic Football, the second instalment in the Stupendous Sports series by author Robin Bennett, from Joanna Moult at Skylark Literary.
Full of facts, funny stories, and crazy cartoons by Matt Cherry, the series aims to do for PE what Horrible Histories did for Friday afternoon history lessons.
Hilarious (hopefully), irreverent (probably), but factually correct (obviously), this action-packed book is about the spirit of the beautiful game as much as the rules. Covering the history of football, the future of the game including the rise in women’s football and the continuing importance of diversity, Fantastic Football also features a practical section on player positions, skills and tricks.
Design by Becka Moor
‘Football is a hugely loved sport, and this fun and factual guide for primary school readers is a terrific second title in Firefly’s innovative Stupendous Sports series, coming as it does, ahead of the 2022 World Cup’ said Firefly Publisher Penny Thomas. ‘And cartoons are definitely the best way to explain the offside rule as far as I can see!’
Robin Bennett said: ‘Fantastic Football was brilliant to write. It’s aimed not just at young players but readers who want something fun and funny to dip into and, like the game itself, to share with friends. Fantastic Football is a team read!’
The book is slated for publication in early autumn 2022, ahead of the FIFA World Cup in November.