Frank and Burt: The One Where Bert Plays Football
Chris Naylor-Ballesteros
Nosy Crow

In this 4th tale telling of the ups and downs of the friendship between Frank (fox, who narrates) and Bert (bear) we’re treated to a soccer saga set in the park. Both characters are lovers of the game and Frank has taken it upon himself to teach his pal how to play – sometimes with disastrous results.such as the cake squishing and prickly spikes episode. However, today Bert has a new football and is anticipating scoring lots of goals. He starts with a complete miss, not only of the goal but the ball itself and lands flat on his belly.

Then just before going to assist Bert, Frank spies ace soccer player, Barbara, and the two of them have a kick about. Barbara’s showing off sends Bert’s ball high up into a tree but does she stay and assist in its recovery. No she doesn’t; that’s left to Frank. He however, having scrambled up to within a paw’s distance, gets an attack of vertigo

and also does some some quick self reflection.

Suddenly the branch bearing Frank snaps pitching him earthward, but he’s fortunate in having a best friend ready and willing to come to his rescue by providing a soft landing surface to cushion the blow. Trust Bert to save the day.

Chris’s superb colour pencil scenes exude energy, humour and pathos, perfectly capturing the changing emotions of his larger than life characters. With vital messages about friendship and decision making, this is another gem of a story featuring the utterly endearing friends.