Who will this book appeal to and why?
I think this book will appeal young children that enjoy adventure, sport and friendship as it these are the main themes and helping people express their feelings and overcome any anxiety issues. Being an actor (dealing with constant rejection), former football player and a football coach, I have seen all sorts of children’s personalities and problems. Coming from quite masculine background in south London where expressing your feelings then and now is still awkward and somewhat unwelcome, I have dealt with mental health problems myself. For these reasons, this is a topic that is important to me, and I would like to help children understand they can express and talk about how they feel. I want to address and inform them that they can help each other and seek help early in their life for these problems, rather than hiding them and letting them build up to a dangerous level in later life.
Being an actor (dealing with constant rejection), former football player and a football coach, I have seen all sorts of children’s personalities and problems. Coming from quite masculine background in south London where expressing your feelings then and now is still awkward and somewhat unwelcome, I have dealt with mental health problems myself. For these reasons, this is a topic that is important to me and I would like to help children understand they can express and talk about how they feel. I want to address and inform them that they can help each other and seek help early in their life for these problems, rather than hiding them and letting them build up to a dangerous level in later life.
Aspects of the book that may be of special interest
I think Harry is loosely based on myself as when I was young, I was quite a shy sensitive kid (and still am a bit) and was always nervous about making mistakes and letting people down. This book is about embracing and moving on from those mistakes with friendship and courage. I have also travelled all over the world playing and coaching football and looking for community and a place I could call home in those new places. And joining football teams all over the world has always been the thing that has brought me community and happiness. So I see myself in Harry and Jesse in this book as they are both seeking and giving aspects of friendship, community, confidence and courage.
Tell us more about you and your journey
This book really has been a labour of love. I’ve been working on this for over 4 years and even have a rhyming version of the book (which was my original plan but was told not to do that as its too difficult). But I would love to release the rhyming one at some point. I’ve put so much time, money and favours in this book, even creating a Crowdfunder for it. I plan to make a series of these books (in different places, time periods, space and different characters and sports i.e. a Ballerina, a Yoga kid, Swimmer: boys and girls) if this one is successful. I’m currently unemployed (well a freelance actor so basically unemployed) so it’s been financially tough, but family and friends have helped along the way. If this book can help children deal with anxiety and stimulate conversation with their parents about these topics then my work is done, and I’d be super happy. I’ve been reading the books in school and using my acting skills to bring the book to life as well, which has been fun and hope to do lots more.
A little League Superstar!
David Vaughan was born and bred in Morden and was a club and national team Goalkeeper and outfield player for our very own Morden Little League in the late 80s and early 90s, winning multi team and player awards in 11 a-side and 5 a-side for Baxters Terriers and Remco Royals.
Why this book now?
There is a big focus in the media on mental health in sport these days, with high profile/top players now opening up about the issue. Prince William is the spokesman for the mental health charity Mind (who partner with the Championship Football League) and recently did a big interview on the BBC with top players (Thierry Henry, Peter Crouch, Gareth Southgate) so this is the right time for a book like this. But we are still not focussing enough on the most important people, the young and educating them early on mental health issues.
Harry Heal the Friendly Footballer is a prose picture book for ages 4-8, which is based on some of David Vaughan’s own life experiences and his football playing and coaching journey’s around the world from his childhood to modern day. The book has a football backdrop with an educational aspect, dealing with issues such as anxiety, community and friendship through football, teamwork and geography.
Harry Heal is Sport Town’s best footballer, healing everyone with his football skills, KINDNESS & FRIENDSHIP. When an ANXIOUS & SHY; Jesse Proudfoot joins their school, Harry takes him on a journey of self-discovery, learning from different teams, players and cultures across the world. A heart-warming story about the benefits of EMPATHY, MINDFULNESS and COLLABORATION. And some geography thrown in to boot.