Poetry is about word play – and I am loving the playful words that roll around (and bounce and soar) in this picture book about Aussie Rules, written by Katrina Germein and illustrated by Janine Dawson. AFL is not the game of choice in Queensland, where ‘real men play Rugby League’* – so I’m not as familiar with the rules and terms as some. But it is very obvious that Katrina and Janine have between them spent considerable time on the sidelines of the game (perhaps even starred themselves?) and were definitely on the same team when they produced Great Goal! Marvellous Mark! – a picture book that exudes energy and enthusiasm … and alliteration!
The text is an ABC of AFL! From start to finish it tells the story of an afternoon of football.
Aussie Rules is awesome. I always arrive on time.
As the game progresses, the rain starts to fall…
Patterson pauses then passes to Piper. She positions herself and propels the ball past the post. Perfect play! <Click to Enlarge>
By the final quarter there’s quite a quagmire.
I’m super-impressed that Katrina managed to handball so many AFL terms onto the page, in a sequential sporty story that ticks boxes as an alliterative alphabetical text. And I love the details (and activity) that Janine jostled into the illustrations – making meaning of those sporty terms, for those of us not overly-familiar with AFL.
Great Goal! Marvellous Mark! is a picture book that make its mark. I’m sure AFL families will be giving it two flags up!
To read more poetry posts, click across to Carol’s Corner where you’ll find the full round-up of Poetry Friday posts. Thanks, Carol!
* None of the real men in my family actually play Rugby League. It’s just a bit of interstate jest and no harm intended. 😉
This is way fun! I know a lot of kids, my that would love to try this!
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It would be a great springboard (or handball) into writing.
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Alliteration is awesome!
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Especially when it’s done well. 🙂
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Agreed.
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As someone who has watched many soccer games in the rain, I appreciate that bit of verisimilitude. I would be interested in reading this to see the differences between Aussie Rules football and American soccer. They are apparently quite different!
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Very different, Tabatha. I think you’d enjoy the read! (And the rain… :P)
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I think I know a few who will love this book. Long ago my husband played rugby. It was hard for me to hear the “hits” and “smashes”. Thanks, Kat!
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Yes. Fun to play – but it can get a little bit rough!
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It looks like a fun book for sports fans and word fans alike!
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Yes! Great combination. 🙂
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Looks so fun! My boys would definitely like this book. Thanks for sharing!
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It is a good, fun read, Kiesha. (For girls, too.)
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My dad’s a big rugby fan, not so much Aussie Rules, being a Kiwi and not an Aussie! 😉
I’m sure young sports fan will love this!
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There are so many forms of football! (So many ways to get physical (rough!) with a ball.)
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This sounds FABULOUS! I’d love to share it with my students who (increasingly international) regularly differentiate between Futbol and American Football. They need to know there’s MORE!!
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Australia plays three different versions of football; Rugby, Rugby League and AFL (above) – and that’s not counting soccer, which we don’t call ‘football’.
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My Kindergarten students would love the letter/sound focus of this book. Thank you!
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They would, I’m sure! 🙂
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This sounds like a fun book and the art looks very lively too, thanks Kat!
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Very lively, Michelle! There is action a-plenty in the pages of this book!
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Thank you so much for this lovely piece, Kat. I’m thrilled to be on your blog and have loved reading everyone’s comments. Thanks, everyone! xxx
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Thank-you for writing a book that fits so perfectly with PoetryFriday – and is such a lively fun celebration of words and sportsmanship. Come and visit anytime, Katrina. xx
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