Fara, the Soccer Fairy - by Elli Woollard (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Fara isn't your typical fairy. Sure, she has wings and likes swirling and twirling through the air. But what she really loves, more than anything, is kicking a ball. The problem is, kicking a ball always gets her in trouble... Will she ever get the magical kingdom to believe that fairies can play soccer?"--

Book Synopsis

An empowering rhyming picture book about chasing dreams, building self-confidence, and proving the doubters wrong--with a magical, sporty twist!
Calling all soccer fans, fairy tale lovers, and young dreamers--Fara the Soccer Fairy is a spirited, feel-good picture book that celebrates believing in yourself and doing what you love, even when others say you can't.
Fara is no ordinary fairy, she has a passion for soccer and dreams of becoming the best player in the kingdom. But with naysayers insisting that fairies shouldn't "flick a ball," Fara's confidence starts to wobble. Can she find the courage to rise above the criticism and show the world that fairies can play--and win?
Perfect for fans of fractured fairy tales and sports-themed storybooks, this enchanting read offers:
- A rhythmic, rhyming text that makes storytime fun and engaging for ages 6-9
- Vibrant illustrations filled with energy, whimsy, and magical details
- Empowering themes of perseverance, self-belief, and staying true to your passion
- Relatable character growth as Fara learns to overcome fear and stand tall in her cleats
- A fresh twist on traditional fairy tales, with references and clever turns that parents and kids alike will enjoy
Whether read aloud at home or in classrooms, Fara the Soccer Fairy is a joyful celebration of girl power, sportsmanship, and believing in the magic within you. A must-have for any child who loves soccer, fairies, or stories about finding confidence on and off the field.

Review Quotes

A soccer-loving fairy's big leg gets her into and out of big trouble in this fantastical British import.
Small of size but bursting with personality in Avgustinovich's painterly illustrations, Fara--depicted with brown skin, tight cornrows, and diaphanous wings--likes nothing better than "to PICK UP / and FLICK UP / and KICK UP a ball!" Unfortunately, when her toe connects with a certain apple that her aunt had intended for Snow White and smashes a very special mirror on the wall, followed by another disaster involving a pumpkin at midnight and a fancy dress ball, she's banished from court. "Fairies are meant to go flying and flitting. / They shouldn't play soccer! It's simply not fitting." Alone in the forest later that night, she rouses a huge troll by angrily kicking a ball into a cave. Could this be the end? But instead of eating her, the troll invites her to join the "Happily Ever After" soccer club. On she goes to become the toast of all the soccer fans in fairyland. Upbeat text and energetic visuals combine for a goofy fractured fairy tale ideal for sports fans. Most of the human figures in the illustrations are, like Fara, dark-skinned.
Shoots and scores on behalf of ball players of all sizes. (Picture book. 6-8)

About the Author

Elli Woollard is a children's picture book author and poet. Her snappy rhymes, catchy rhythms, and witty stories are on full display in her books The Giant of Jum, Rudyard Kipling's Just So Stories, and The Dragon and the Nibblesome Knight. Elli lives in London with her four children, her husband and two guinea pigs.