There has been a recent campaign against gender stereotyping children's books (and toys) with which I totally agree. No child should be encouraged or deterred from reading a specific book because it's aimed at boys or girls. No author worth her (or his) salt would want her potential readership halved. The best literature attracts both sexes.
I mention this as I wouldn't want anyone to think that Kicking a Ball by veteran children's author, Allan Ahlberg is aimed at boys. It certainly isn't. The idea is that playing with a ball is "surely the purpose / Of life after all".
The meandering narrative poem is enchanting and fabulously illustrated by Sébastien Braun.
The way Kicking a Ball progresses allows for plenty of discussion on all sorts of topics and concludes:
"Yes, life's a circle endless and SMALL / and when all's said and done.../ the world's a BALL" being kicked by the little boy's daughter.
An excellent book to be savoured.
PWT rating: ♥♥♥♥♥
Published by Puffin Kicking a Ball