Top 10 football books for kids

As football fever begins to sweep the nation and charting World Cup games in the coming weeks leads us swiftly towards the summer holidays, parents may be forgiven for pushing matters of their children's literacy to the back of their minds. But encouraging reluctant readers and stimulating an interest in books doesn't always have to be hard work and can be inspired from just about anything, including football.

The National Literacy Trust recently launched their campaign Love Football: Love Reading, which highlights the World Cup as a great opportunity to promote reading through football. So, to lend a hand encouraging the reluctant reader in your house to pick up a book during the World Cup, here are the Top 10 books guaranteed to get football fans reading.

1. Goal! by Mina Javaherbin
A beautifully illustrated picture book set on the streets of South Africa with a simple yet powerful storyline. The short sentences and repetition make it perfect for younger football fans (4+) or a more reluctant older reader. Guaranteed to broaden the horizons of most young British footballers, 'Goal!' could also be a great starting point for further reading about South Africa.
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2. Wonder Goal! by Michael Foreman
A fun picture book about scoring the perfect goal. The time shift halfway through, in which the boy footballer is transported into the future to the final of the World Cup, may be confusing for very young readers, so although the text is fairly straightforward 'Wonder Goal!' is best for the over 5s.
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3. Fantastic Football Poems
Brilliantly funny and catchy rhymes and poems written by a range of children's authors and illustrated in full colour by the fantastic Korky Paul. If the idea of reading a whole novel puts your child off picking up a book, they may enjoy flicking through and jumping in and out of some of these fun, short poems.
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