‘Backyard Footy’ is all about the joy of friendship, sharing and footy, in this case Australian Rules Football. Jy is kicking his football around in his yard when it sails over the fence into Kitara’s yard and so begins the fun as the ball is kicked further and further into more backyards and creeks and more and more friends become involved.
Sometimes kicks go astray and the football disrupts a family lunch and then disaster when it flies into a fire and pops. Happily, however Shane has a new one and they all follow him to the oval to play. ‘Footy by yourself is fun but playing with mates is better.’
Lothian Backyard Sports series
The story is fast-paced and lively and matched by the bright illustrations that show plenty of movement and action. This is a celebration not just of football but of mateship and the joy of sharing and the exhilaration of physical activity.
Carl Merrison is a respected Jaru/Kija man. His first book, written with Hakea Hustler, ‘Black Cockatoo’ was CBCA Book of the Year Honour Book in the Younger Readers category. Illustrator Samantha Campbell is descended from the Dagoman people from Katherine NT. This is their second collaboration, the first ‘My Deadly Boots’ was published in 2021. ‘Backyard Footy’ was created as part of the national black&write! Project that is focused on developing First Nations writers and editors.
Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander Resource
