Sports fans, there's a new series coming that you're going to want to get your hands on! Horrible Histories meets sport in the new Stupendous Sports series of books, starting with Rampaging Rugby!
Now as a kiwi I've obviously grown up with rugby as an enshrined sport, and those who win games for us heralded as national treasures. So when asked to take part in a book tour for Rampaging Rugby, with pro tips by an actual All Black - Conrad Smith? Well obviously my answers going to be 'Aw sweet as - I'd be stoked!'.
Stupendous Sports - Rampaging Rugby by Robin Bennett is full of interesting folklore, facts and history around the sport, interspersed with insider tips and tidbits from Conrad and hilarious illustrations by Matt Cherry to bring it to life.
Written in easily digestible bite sized sections, with lots of bullet points and informational diagrams, it's perfect for young sports enthusiasts to get to know the game of rugby and it's origins better. Although I did feel sorry for poor barbarian Bol, who's head may have instigated the initial form of the game!
Aspiring young players will appreciate the tips and player information in the book. It's a good way to get to know the game in an entertaining way, and possibly even pick up a little try scoring top tip along the way! "The hooker’s job in the scrum is to hook it out faster than the other hooker, so their timing must be perfect. 20 21 In the lineout, the hooker needs to be able to throw the ball to just the right forward at just the right time. So, although tough as old boots but perhaps a little on the short side, our hooker needs the throwing skills of a seven-foot basketball player in the NBA and the quick decision making of a fighter pilot".
As the mother of a rugby playing 10 year old girl I was especially pleased to see women's rugby represented well in the book, with lots of facts on the growth of the sport amongst women players. (NZ Rugby get on board - my daughter is horrified that theres 13 PAGES of All Black merch on your page, compared to 11 products on the Black Ferns page, some not even branded). Women's and girls rugby is a fast growth area, so it great to see us represented in the pages of the first Stupendous Sports book!
This series promises to be both funny and informative and the Whisperer family can't wait to see which sport is give the Stupendous Sport treatment next!
Check out this short video from author Robin, on why he's started with rugby. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgOvhc2Oc68
Stupendous sports - Rampaging Rugby, by Robin Bennett, Illustrated by Matt Cherry is OUT NOW with Firefly Press.