Frank and Bert: The One Where Bert Plays Football

By Author / Illustrator

Chris Naylor-Ballesteros, Kristin Atherton

Genre

Friends and family

Age range(s)

Publisher

Nosy Crow

ISBN

9781805134923

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

16-01-2025

Synopsis

Join Frank and Bert for a kickabout in this funny story about friendship and football that proves two's company but three's a crowd. From best-selling author-illustrator Chris Naylor-Ballesteros, creator of The Suitcase.

Bert puts his new ball in front of the goal and takes a loooooooong run-up. I'd better get ready, because . . . here . . . he . . . comes!

Meet Frank and Bert. They LOVE football and Frank is teaching Bert everything he knows . . . until Barbara turns up, the local football legend, and Frank drops everything to play with her. Poor old Bert. . . But when Frank finds himself in trouble, it's Bert, his BFF, who is always there for him . . .

Find out more about Frank and Bert from author and illustrator Chris Naylor Ballesteros

Praise for Frank and Bert: "Full of warmth and visual humour, with neon accents for extra zing. One for fans of Jon Klassen." - The Bookseller

Find out more about the hilarious fox and bear double act: Frank and Bert: The One Where Bert Plays Hide And Seek; Frank and Bert: The One Where Bert Learns To Ride A Bike; Frank and Bert: The One With The Missing Biscuits; Frank and Bert: The One Where Bert Plays Football.

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Reviews

Sue

Frank is teaching Bert all about football. Sometimes things go wrong, but Bert has a new ball and the two best friends are ready to play. When Frank spots Barbara, the best football player ever, he is delighted that she agrees to have a game with him, forgetting all about poor old Bert. But as Frank finds himself in a spot of trouble, it is his best friend Bert who is there to save him!

The latest in this lovely series about best friends, Frank and Bert, The One Where Bert Plays Football is every bit as heartwarming and endearing as the others. Frank and Bert are very different characters, but this enhances their friendship, proving the old adage 'opposites attract'. Good natured and loveable, Bert often obviously needs help with things and Frank is always there to support him; however, the stories show that Bert brings much to the friendship as well.

Children often experience difficulties negotiating friendships and managing to include others who might appear to be jeopardising a close relationship or taking someone away from them. In this story, Frank is dazzled by Barbara's footie skills, flattered that she should want to play with him and so neglects his best buddie. But when the going gets tough, it is Bert who is there for Frank, proving his loyalty once again.

The story offers plenty to discuss and offers opportunities for role play and drama activities to explore the feelings of the different characters and how they acted. Although Bert is not a natural football player, Frank helps him to develop skills which play to his strengths and allow him to feel success.

The illustrations are full of gentle humour and celebrate the wonderful friendship Frank and Bert share through the whole range of emotions they experience through its ups and downs. Each book in this series is an absolute joy (5 stars are not enough!) and I hope there are many more to come!

Picture book / Reviewed by Sue Wilsher, teacher