Libby's footy adventures by Libby Birch. Illus. by Robin Tatlow-Lord

Libby Birch is a well-known Australian Rules footballer and her book, “Libby’s Footy Adventures, was a chance for Birch to fill the gap she saw in the market for representation of young girls playing footy.” AFLW News. And wow! She does this very successfully. Illustrated with engaging pictures by Robin Tatlow-Lord, Birch tells an absorbing story about a young Libby who played almost every sport, but liked team sports best. When her friend Mia tells her that some AFLW players are coming to run a training session she is uncertain about going as she has only ever kicked a footy with her brother in the backyard. But Mia reassures her, lends her some clothes to wear as well as a pair of orange footy boots. She learns a lot from the training session, and so will any reader: how to hold, bounce and kick the ball and use her eyes to find teammates. Georgie Prespakis and Courtney Hodder are there to train them and Tatlow-Lord’s drawings show an eager and determined Libby learning and really having fun. Her friends Mia and Daniel encourage her to join Auskick at their footy club  and with her parents' help she joins a team and puts her skills into helping her team win a game.

The narrative flows along smoothly with the illustrations complementing the text, making it a great read aloud at home or in the classroom. The story cleverly blends the fun of playing footy, the joy of being part of a team and the way that friends can encourage others to join in and enjoy themselves. Readers who are familiar with AFLW will recognise the names of Georgie Prespakis and Courtney Hodder and both children and adults will recognise the importance of mentoring young players and helping them to learn new skills.

Libby says in her introduction, “Sport is for everyone, and footy is for everyone...Remember, it's not all about winning or being the best." Highly recommended, Libby’s Footy Adventures will be a very welcome addition to other books about sport. 

Themes: AFLW, Friendship, Sports, Teamwork.

Pat Pledger