The Footballing Fairy

Femi the fairy adores playing football and spends all her spare time honing her ball skills. If she can’t find a football, Femi kicks whatever she can find, from the King’s crown to a poisoned apple.

However, the folk of Fairyland are up in arms when she boots an enormous pumpkin into a huge bowl of soup during a party. The King banishes her from the castle and tells her to practise more appropriate fairy activities, such as flying and flitting, rather than shooting and kicking. 

Feeling dejected and full of self-doubt, Femi wonders if she should hang up her football boots for good, but a night-time visit from a magical elf gives her the encouragement she needs to believe in herself and follow her dreams. 

This charming picture book is full of fun and features Black main characters. The narrative is cleverly interwoven with strands from familiar fairy tales, including Snow White and Cinderella.

Rhyming text gives the story pace and rhythm, making it perfect to read aloud. Vibrantly coloured, dynamic illustrations add humour and movement to every page and help to convey Femi's enthusiasm for football.