Jezza.

JEZZA is a picture storybook about a dog that is adopted from the dog home by a family of football fanatics and reluctantly discovers that she has a talent for playing the game. It's a story that looks at fitting in, being part of a family and a team player, and it's still the only picture book about Australian Rules Football. Be a winner, read Jezza!

The story is based on my family dog, Jezzabel, who always loved playing football. She died in 2001 aged 16.

It's illustrated by Kym Lardner, who's from Adelaide. Published first in hardback in 1991 by Macmillian. Then again in 1991 in paperback as a Picturemac. In 1992, it was shortlisted for the Yabba Award in Victoria.
It was reprinted in paperback in 1996 by The Five Mile Press, and again in 1999, due to its ever increasing popularity!

It is available from selected bookshops, or directly from Krista.

Chapter 1 extract.

Ordinary dogs chase tennis balls or fetch silly sticks. But not me. Football's my game. My new family called me Jezza because that was the name of the famous footballer. He was brilliant. I don't mean to brag, but I'm quite a footballer too.

Don't you believe me?

Truly, I can jump really high and take spectacular marks. People say I'm a natural. Perhaps one day I'll be a champion.

That's what I dream about when I watch the footy replay with my family...becoming a champion!