When Timmy Twinkle kicks a ball - it's magic! A funny and charming story by award-winning author Sally Gardner, in her MAGICAL CHILDREN series.

Timmy Twinkle 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, 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.

A brilliant story about how determination and love - with a little sprinkling of magic - overturn one boy's loneliness.

When Timmy Twinkle kicks a ball - it's magic!

About the Author
Sally Gardner is an award-winning novelist from London. Her books have been translated into 22 languages and have sold more than one million copies in the UK. Her historical novel for older readers, I, Coriander, won the Smarties Children's Book Prize in 2005. Two thrillers both set at the time of the French Revolution, The Red Necklace and The Silver Blade, which was shortlisted for the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize in 2009, followed. Actor Dominic West (The Wire) has bought the film rights to both titles. Her YA novel, The Double Shadow, was published in 2011 to critical acclaim. Sally Gardner's stories for middle readers include Lucy Willow and the popular Magical Children series of six titles: The Strongest Girl in the World, The Invisible Boy, The Boy with Magic Numbers, The Smallest Girl in the World, The Boy with the Lightning Feet, and The Boy who could Fly, which are also available as audio books. She has also written and illustrated picture books including The Fairy Catalogue, The Glass Heart, The Book of Princesses and Playtime Rhymes. Sally Gardner continues to be an avid spokesperson for dyslexia, working to change the way it is perceived by society. She is dyslexic and argues that it is not a disability, but a gift. Her website is www.sallygardner.net and you can follow her on Twitter @TheSallyGardner

Reviews
Gardner's timely, touching tale, told in clear, warm prose, has all the satisfaction of a good fairystory. * Amanda Craig, THE TIMES *
A lovely story of how some dreams come true. * Dina Rabinovitch, THE GUARDIAN *
I will certainly be adding books from this series to my collection for new readers in this age group. * Annabel Gibb, BOOKS FOR KEEPS *
A fun and original story with easy-to-read print and line illustrations. * FAMILY INTEREST *
This entertaining story is a modern fable on how lots of love and a bit of determination can change the most unpromising situations. In a short volume the author has created a host of well-rounded and appealing characters both young and old. * SCHOOL LIBRARIAN *
'This entertaining story is a modern fable on how lots of love and a bit of determination can change the most unpromising situations. In a short volume the author has created a host of well-rounded and appealing characters both young and old.' -- Rosemary Woodman * SCHOOL LIBRARIAN *



Book Information
ISBN 9781444011654
Author Sally Gardner
Format Paperback
Page Count 96
Imprint Orion Children's Books
Publisher Hachette Children's Group
Weight(grams) 90g
Dimensions(mm) 196mm * 126mm * 10mm