Magical Children: The Boy with the Lightning Feet

By: Sally Gardner

Narrated by: Andrew Sachs

Timmy Twinkle is chubby. That means he gets bullied at school and hasn't any friends. He longs to play football, but he's hopeless at games. He's miserable. And it doesn't help when Gramps tells him about Great Uncle Vernon, a chubby boy who grew up to be a famous footballer.

Then his gran's friend May comes to stay. May is a fitness fanatic who knocks Timmy and Gramps into shape in no time, and Timmy discovers there's magic in his toes, he can kick a ball just like Great Uncle Vernon. And when Timmy performs on the football field, everyone wants to be friends with him.

©2006 Sally Gardner

Critic reviews

"Inspiring." ( SEN Magazine)
"The latest title in the Magical Children series deals with bullying and focuses on football. Andrew Sachs' interpretation of this series has reflected their humour and poignancy perfectly." ( Publishing News)
"It is a relief, amid so much arch and knowing children's entertainment, to settle down to a straight-forward, well-told tale, with clearly defined characters and a happy ending. The incomparable Andrew Sachs Is relaxed without being casual, his glorious voice rising above the sound effects of slurps of tea and suchlike. A delight, that also smuggles in the lesson that football isn¿t just a game, it is a metaphor for life." ( Telegraph)

Great story, and great performance

Great piece of work, it's the first story I read for Gardner, I'm searching for more of her stories to share with my kids!