George wants to play soccer, but he doesn't have a ball to kick. All he has is a big ball of string ...A joyous story about a small boy with a big imagination. Rhythmic, triumphant and immensely satisfying. A hugely enjoyable read-aloud text, perfectly complemented by Craig Smith's delightful illustrations.

About the Author

Author Ross Mueller is a writer, performer, musician and teacher. He has travelled to schools throughout Victoria, Australia, with the Living Poets Society, bringing writing to life in performance and song. His work has been produced by prestigious theatres across Australia and has been adapted for ABC Radio Drama. Mueller's plays have been nominated for numerous awards and Steel & Rust was awarded Best Music Theatre at the 1997 Melbourne Fringe Festival. Illustrator Craig Smith has illustrated over 300 books in a 30-year career. He was once a rust scraper on the Sydney Harbour Bridge but is now one of Australia's most popular illustrators with a style that is energetic, individual, carefully observed and full of life and humour. His witty, humorous artwork is enormously popular with children combining a wonderful sense of the absurd with a fine eye for detail.

Reviews

Ross Mueller is a seasoned writer whose experience shows in his measured use of repetition and the rhythms of natural language. The inherently poetic qualities of this text are extended with succinct motifs such as the references to warbling magpies that lend the story a subtle yet distinctively Australian character. The title’s layout and design contribute considerably to the developing momentum of the story of George, a young boy with energy and initiative who finds himself with something of a mystery at the toes of his soccer-playing feet. Popular illustrator Craig Smith is well known for his engaging, cartoon-like characters and his enthusiastic experiments with perspective. He gives us value for money, with plenty of entertaining details on every spread. An insider informed me that these illustrations were created using a combination of computer-generated and more traditional illustrative techniques. The results are rewarding. Among its intended young audience, this book may well prove a serious contender for the status of favourite ‘read aloud and read along’ book. Lizzie Whyte works for Heinemann Library. C. 2004 Thorpe-Bowker and contributors

'subtle yet distinctively Australian this book may well prove a serious contender for the status of favourite "read aloud and read along" book.' Lizzie Whyte AB&PJuly 2004'This clever and witty book is an absolute delight. The simple text is perfect for the very young who will particularly enjoy the repetition and rhyme within the story. And as for Craig Smith's exuberant and enchanting illustrations - sublime!'[4 STARS] Good Reading'The Big Ball of Stringwill charm the socks off the whole family.' Family Circle