Rugby league is a game often transferred from generation to generation. Like a family heirloom, a family’s team is passed down with pride through myth and legend of times gone by.
Brett Kenny’s tries in three straight grand finals. Benny Elias’s crossbar in the 1989 grand final. The Panthers final try in the 1991 grand final. Joey Johns’s performance in 2005 Origin series. These are tales passed down that forge a life of fandom for kids.
But then why are these not translated into printed kids books? Why don’t clubs or the NRL create reading material for kids of all reading ability, particularly for kids entering the world of reading?
(NRL Photos/Grant Trouville)
Reading picture books with young children is life-affirming. Watching them discover and relate to the world through repeated images and words is close to magical. Sharing these moments is important to the cultural connections we make. But sharing these beautiful moments while looking at a British dog named Spot seems like a missed opportunity. This is a prime moment to share your family’s culture. This is a prime moment to share your family’s love for rugby league.
We have seen recently some forays into this genre, with Little Homie creating a wonderfully adorable and perfectly age-appropriate book entitled The NRL ABC. This is a fantastic book for families and friends helping kids learn the alphabet while supporting their rugby league indoctrination. But outside of this book there appears to be no other NRL picture books.
To be fair, there are plenty of early readers that feature an NRL theme. For children who want to read short chapter books with rugby league scattered throughout there are books co-written by ex-players such as Scott Prince, Billy Slater and even Paul Sironen. Although good additions to the canon, they miss the formative brainwashing years from zero to eight years of age. Picture books aimed at this age group and reading levels do not seem to exist. This is a big gap in the market.
There are two responses to this issue: contact your team’s head office and ask them about club-specific picture books. Seeing a groundswell of support for a project like this may encourage them to create a series of books. If enough fans from enough clubs ask for club picture books, the NRL may even step in and help produce a range of club books similar to the ones made by the AFL.
The other response is to make them yourself. Writing picture books can be a fun and uplifting experience. There are plenty of apps that can help you write and print them. This way you can personalise the story too. It may include a grandparent in their prime catching a tram to one of the Dragons 11 premierships or an aunt’s adventures getting to and from the 1997 Knights win. It can be tailored to extend and enshrine your family’s tales of football.
Rugby league is tribal. It is passed down like a family jewel, like a precious possession. Something that was once handed to you, you now can pass onto your family. Sharing picture books to do so is a wholesome and enjoyable experience. Let’s hope you get the chance.
Big T
Roar Rookie
Yeah. Tablets aren’t easy to share. Picture books still are. Good point mate.
Big T
Roar Rookie
:laughing:
Big T
Roar Rookie
Sticker book and colouring is an amazing addition to the idea. Great thinking.
Big T
Roar Rookie
Hahahah. Yeah the age of the book certainly isn’t dead. But an the digital idea is an excellent one. The child (or mum/dad) choosing is particularly inspired.
R N
Roar Rookie
The following titles would be awesome: Joey's big day out in Toowoomba, Toddy and the bubbler, Carty gets really really sick, Lattrell and Josh's weekend adventure, Corey and Jayden...
Nat
Roar Guru
Similar in my house, I have a 7yo & 4yo and colouring books are still bought and adored by the youngest but let's be honest, I doubt they will exist at all in the not-so distant future. IMO, the biggest advantage is the dexterity of a picture book and they are important for that reason. However, a colouring book is a single use item, an App is a simple reset for 1000 different options in an instant.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Yeah ! What's a book ?
Adam
Roar Guru
I dunno. Books are still hugely important in our household and both my kids know how to use tablets. Tablets are mainly used as childminders, it takes effort to pull out a book and spend time with the kids, but I think it's vitally important.
Paul
Roar Guru
I'm going to buck the trend and say this is a terrific idea, BigT. Kids who are under 10 love to play and turning the pages, looking at the pictures, but most importantly, sharing some experiences with their parents is both great for their learning but really good fun as well. I wouldn't limit this to just reading books. You only have to go into book departments in major supermarkets or bookstores and there are lots of kids books for movies, for example. These have stickers for kids to tear off and stick onto pages, or pages where they can can colour various figures, all of which adds to the fun. Yes, kids are doing more & more learning on computers, but there's still plenty to be gained from books, both for the parents and for the kids. As you suggest, if that helps create a life long interest in rugby league, that surely has to be a good thing.
Nat
Roar Guru
Not a bad concept but 20yo thinking mate. We're in the information age and a kids affinity with picture books dies with the discovery of the tablet. Kids are playing on tablets long before they are at school these days so you are still introducing them to your "family culture in league" at an age they may be starting to take an interest. So, same concept but develop an App that does the same. The child (or Dad) can choose their team and player. You can add animations and interactions. Different eras. Most importantly, if the players goes 'Barba' on a night out - Delete.
Birdy
Roar Rookie
Picture books should Target zero to 8 year olds.talk about playing up to minorities. With 24/7 news coverage we now have saturation coverage of everything on the planet. I mean how many stories can you drag out of a half back dancing with 4 girls in his own home? Give me a picture book any time.
Walter Black
Guest
Try telling my 13yr old daughter that if you fancy a hospital pass that is.
BigT
Guest
Thanks sir. I appreciate you reading it. Carbs says hi back as well, you guys must be good friends. ????
Carbsie
Guest
Big T kids don't watch Rugby League! There is a reason why the average Rugby League fan is a 50-80 year old male. Ps say G'day to Carbs for me! Cheers