Shown here with our example child, Jack. Your book stars your child.
The Big Match
Your child's best kick sails over the hedge and lands them a place in the Muddy Paws, a team of animals with a big match against five very cheeky geese.
- Ages 3 to 8
- 28 pages
- Ready in minutes
What we make just for you
- Painted from your photo, or your design. Your child is painted into the pictures in our watercolour style, so they really look like them. No photo? Design them in a few taps instead.Your child is painted into the pictures in our watercolor style, so they really look like them. No photo? Design them in a few taps instead.
- Their name in the story. The story is told about them, by name, from start to finish.
- Your message on the first page. Write your own, and add a photo above it for free.
- Three sizes in print. A 20 cm softcover or hardcover, or a big 28 cm hardcover. Every printed book comes with the digital book too.An 8 inch softcover or hardcover, or a big 11 inch hardcover. Every printed book comes with the digital book too.
Read the beginning
Thud. Thud. Thud. Every day, Jack kicked a ball against the garden wall. It was a very good kick. But a ball and a wall is not much of a team. So one sunny afternoon, Jack gave the biggest kick ever. Up it flew, over the hedge... and somebody said, "OW!"
Over the hedge was a muddy field, and a badger in a green goalie jumper, rubbing his head. "What a kick!" said the badger. "I'm Barney, and we are the Muddy Paws. We need one more player for the Big Match on Saturday. Will you play?" Jack said yes. And out ran the whole team, singing.Over the hedge was a muddy field, and a badger in a green goalie sweater, rubbing his head. "What a kick!" said the badger. "I'm Barney, and we are the Muddy Paws. We need one more player for the Big Match on Saturday. Will you play?" Jack said yes. And out ran the whole team, singing.
Muddy Paws, Muddy Paws, give a great big cheer! Kick it, pass it, here we come, the Muddy Paws are here! There was Pip the hedgehog, all prickles. There was Hop the rabbit, all legs. And there was Mo the mole, who had never scored a goal. "Not once," said Mo. "But I'm brilliant at cheering." "Right," said Barney. "Training!"
Training did not go well. Pip headed the ball. POP! "That's the ninth ball he's popped this week," sighed Barney. Hop ran so fast that she forgot the ball. Mo kicked with all his might, and it rolled the wrong way, very slowly, into the duck pond. Plop. Then it was Jack's turn. A run, a kick, and...
See the rest with your child in it
Add a photo, or design your child in a few taps, and we paint them onto the cover and the first pages, free, in about two minutes. You only pay if you love it.
Create this bookWhat families say
Reviews from across our books, newest first.
The illustrations have such a warm, gentle feel. Seeing my sons face in it makes it so much more special. A book to last forever
Anthony · The Silver BellThe story felt gentle and joyful, and the pictures gave us lots to talk about together.
Jacklin · The Silver BellIt made a lovely birthday surprise. The best bit was seeing the smile when the cover was opened.
Fran · The Silver BellWe chose a story about an adventure and it quickly became the one requested at bedtime
Emily · The Great Pillow Fort ExpeditionA lovely present for a little one who loves books and adventures. The personalisation is what makes it stand out.
Millie · The Big Balloon AdventureI like that there are different stories to choose from. It feels like there is one for lots of occasions.
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