Spooky Soccer

by Garry Parsons

Published 3 May 2010
A fun and quirky story against anything but your average team from Malachy Doyle for Egmont's red banana series. When Seamus and his scaredy-ba Granda go for a night-time walk, they don't expect to find a group of ghosts in an old barn. Greg the Ghoul, Phantom Pete and friends are too scared to go up into heaven, in case they are sent back down to hell, so they are just waiting around in the barn, getting bored. Seamus has an idea to relieve their boredom - they should form a football team and play other ghosts! The ghosts are nervous, but Seamus and his Granda help them get fit and improve their game. Soon they are champion players, powering their way through teams on earth, heaven and even hell! Red bananas are chapter books for newly fluent readers, suitable for NC Level 3 readers. They are carefully designed illustrated books for both entertainment and education, supporting children's understanding of how to read longer books. Red bananas introduce similes and wordplay to encourage an understanding of more literary concepts.

The Football Ghosts

by Garry Parsons and Malachy Doyle

Published 6 August 2007

A boy-friendly, funny football story by Malachy Doyle and Garry Parsons for Egmont’s Red Banana series.

Seamus loves two things - United and ghosts! So when he hears that the spooky old castle on the hill has ghosts playing football in it, he’s up there in a flash! Well, as quickly as he can go with his scaredy-ba Granda in tow. Once they get into the castle, Seamus discovers that there are two teams kicking a ball around there - the 1948 United and Rovers cup final teams, doomed to play on until they hear the final whistle. And guess what Seamus has in his pocket? But first, there’s the chance to beat the Rovers, with Seamus the star striker in place!

Red bananas are chapter books for newly fluent readers, suitable for NC Level 3 readers. They are carefully designed with education in mind, supporting children’s understanding of how to read longer books. Red bananas introduce similes and wordplay to encourage an understanding of more literary concepts. It’s the best of both worlds with football books for kids like The Football Ghosts.