Soccer, I Just Love It! is a new picture book by ALISTER NICHOLSON, perfect for younger readers and every kid who loves cheering for the Socceroos and the Matildas and dreams of the glory of slotting or saving the winning goal on the World Cup stage. Read on for a Q&A.

MEET ALISTAIR NICHOLSON

What inspired you to create Soccer, I Just Love It!?

The inspiration for Soccer, I Just Love It! was to write a book for young children with a love for the round-ball game that encapsulated the fun of participation and celebrated the sport and Australia’s rich history in it. Some of my favourite sporting moments were delivered by our national teams, The Socceroos and Matilda’s. These have been moments that lifted a nation and brought people together in a way that only sport can. With Australia making the final of the Women’s Asian Cup on home soil this year and the looming World Cup of Football for men, the timing seemed perfect for a book that young Australians can identify with.

The book celebrates the joy of soccer – what do you love most about the sport?

I love the global nature of the sport and the passion of the fans for their teams. The atmosphere at an English Premier League game or an international match is unrivalled – genuinely spine tingling. I love the emotion of it all and tension when games are tight. Everything is magnified when one goal can mean so much. Being the world game, football has been a great educator for my own children, who know so much more about the world and its many cultures through their love for the game. I’ll routinely wake up in the middle of the night to watch my club, Charlton Athletic, and love watching our national teams in action.

The book references teams like the Socceroos and Matildas – how important are role models in getting kids excited about sport?

Role models are crucial in inspiring kids to get outside and be active. They’re a beacon of what’s possible and not only a source of inspiration but aspiration as well. The players are heroes that bring a sense of joy and pride to communities across the country. Whether it’s John Aloisi’s winning penalty against Uruguay or the feats of Sam Kerr, members of our national team bring us moments that unite us in celebrating Australian excellence on the world stage. Despite being a country small in population, we are a genuine sporting giant.

What was your favourite part of writing this book?

I loved working with renowned illustrator Tom Jellett on this project, which is our fourth book together. I try to write in a fun way that is engaging for kids and enjoy including a bit of hijinks and mischief. Tom is a master of capturing that in his illustrations. I particularly love his illustration of French star Kylian Mbappe doing his trademark celebration on a classic Aussie backyard slip and slide.

Describe this book in three words. 

Educational, fun and (hopefully) inspiring.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alister Nicholson is one of Australia’s best-known radio and TV sports commentators. He is a leading voice on Channel Seven’s AFL and cricket coverage and has commentated many of the biggest sporting events in the world, including the Summer and Winter Olympics, the Commonwealth Games, AFL Grand Finals and Test cricket. Alister grew up in Penguin on the north-west coast of Tasmania and began his broadcasting career on ABC Radio. His first children’s book, Cricket, I Just Love It!, was published in 2021.

Follow Alistair Nicholson on Instagram here.

Tom Jellett is a Sydney-based illustrator. For over twenty years he has illustrated a number of books for children including Dirt by Sea by Michael Wagner, and the ‘My Dad Thinks He’s Funny series’ by Katrina Germein. In 2025 he published Meatball Goes To School and The Train at the End of My Street, his first picture books as an author and illustrator. His work can also be seen in a number of magazines and newspapers, including editorial illustrations for The Weekend Australian. Tom was also recently included in the Books category for Illustrators 65, and exhibited at the Society of Illustrators, New York in 2024.

Read more about Tom Jellett’s books here