Reading Champion: Walter Tull and the Missing Football
Reading champion Series
illustrations by
What’s inside...
In this engaging tale, children are introduced to Walter Tull, one of the first black officers in the British Army who was also a professional footballer. When a football goes missing before a big match, Walter steps in to solve the mystery, providing young readers with an inspiring story of sportsmanship and determination. Additionally, this fun gift notebook contains 100 lined pages with flexible binding, making writing easy. The stunning cover provides an impactful gift for co-workers, friends, and family.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Walter Tull
Discussion points
What challenges do you think Walter Tull faced and how did he overcome them?
How did the characters in the story show teamwork?
Can you think of a time when you lost something important? What did you do?
What does this story teach us about perseverance and courage?
How would you have helped Walter Tull in his search for the missing football?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to imagine themselves in Walter Tull’s shoes to deepen their understanding of his experiences and emotions.
Highlight the importance of teamwork and ask your child about times they have worked with others to achieve a goal.
Use the story as a springboard to discuss the value of perseverance and what your child can learn from overcoming challenges.
After reading, ask your child to draw a scene from the book where Walter Tull is displaying courage, discussing the drawing together afterward.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: The story showcases how Walter Tull overcomes various obstacles in his quest to find the missing football, demonstrating perseverance throughout his journey.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to persist in solving problems or completing tasks, despite difficulties or delays in achieving success.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: Walter Tull collaborates with his friends and teammates to locate the missing football, emphasizing the importance of working together.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to appreciate the value of cooperation and collaboration in group settings such as school projects or sports teams.
Example Lesson: Honesty
Explanation: Walter Tull exhibits honesty when he finds the football and decides to return it, highlighting moral integrity.
Real-World Application: Children are taught the significance of being honest in their daily interactions and returning items that do not belong to them.
Example Lesson: Cultural Awareness
Explanation: The book touches upon Walter Tull’s background and the challenges he faced, providing an opportunity to discuss diversity and inclusion.
Real-World Application: This can initiate conversations at home or in school about respecting and understanding different cultures and histories.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: In their quest to find the missing football, Walter and his friends brainstorm and execute various strategies, showcasing strategic thinking.
Real-World Application: Children learn to approach problems creatively, developing critical thinking skills that will aid them in academic and personal situations.