Children's Sports Book of the Year

SHORTLIST 2023

Strong and Tough

Strong and Tough

By Rico Hinson-King
Illustrator - Nick Sharratt

A story of hope and resilience, this gentle, inspiring picture book tells the tale of Charlie, a little boy who was taken into care and who dreams of finding his forever home to share with his sisters from 11 year old Rico Hinson-King and award-winning illustrator Nick Sharratt. Rico, like Charlie, found strength and resilience along the journey to find his forever family (and played lots of football along the way!). Rico is a Junior Premier League footballer with a knack for words too, who wrote his story so that other children going through similar circumstances can feel less alone.

Explore the rest of the Children's Sports Book of the Year Shortlist

The Funny Life of Football
All to Play For
Cricket Superstars
The Legend of Sparkhill
50 times football changed the world
Planet Football
You Can Do It Marcus Rashford