Durham and England fast bowler Mark Wood, Liverpool football captain Jordan Henderson and British Lion George Kruis are among a host of sports stars featured in a children’s illustrated e-book launched – with all sale proceeds going to NHS Charities Together.
The Nightingales’ Song (£3.99, Upside Down Books/Trigger Publishing, ages 5+) is an enchanting illustrated e-book written by teacher Phil Clegg, who came up with the idea after his pupils’ A-levels this summer were cancelled due to coronavirus.
The idea crystallised after a chance conversation with Prof. James Calder about all the work he is doing with the NHS at the current time and, with the help and support of Professor Calder, he recruited some of the UK’s biggest sports stars onto the project.
Mark Wood said: “Winning the World Cup will always be one of the highlights of my life but the greatest moment happened a few months ago when I became a father for the first time.
“This incredible experience has opened my eyes even wider to the responsibilities we have as parents, with one of those being education.
“This book not only tells a great story with beautiful illustrations, but also has an underlying message that children will understand and parents can talk about with their kids.“
Phil, who teaches at Bradfield College, Berkshire, explained: “I was tasked with creating a bridging programme for the Upper Sixth in what would have been their final term, and started wondering how they would look back on this period in years to come and thought they should ask themselves the question ‘what had they done during this time’. I was then forced to ask myself the same question and, having written for children on numerous occasions before, I started thinking about the sort of story that would allow younger children to understand what is happening now and to reflect on it in the future.
“At the same time I happened to see James Calder on TV discussing the need to support the NHS – we’ve been mates for years, so I got in touch one evening to catch up, and everything fell into place: a story about a nightingale that somehow saves the world.
“The fact James has operated on numerous sports stars’ ankles made contacting them and their friends relatively simple, and their willingness to support the project has been brilliant.”
The beautifully illustrated short story takes its lead from classic children’s author and illustrator Beatrix Potter, and tells the tale of the Nightingales, the underdog team in football, cricket and rugby as they play against the Badgers, the Bucks, and the Squirrels in the Champions’ Cup. In order to improve, Ed Nightingale seeks the advice of some real world sporting talents.
The Nightingales take this advice on board and perform better than they ever have, but are still not quite good enough to win the cup. Then, before the final awards ceremony, a storm strikes that puts everything at risk. Working as a team, with advice from the sporting legends, the Nightingales’ song calms the storm and, as a rainbow appears, all can celebrate.
Sports stars featured include England footballers Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Danny Welbeck (Watford) and Jack Wilshere (West Ham), England cricketers Joe Root (Captain of the Test Team and Yorkshire), Mark Wood (Durham) and Danni Wyatt (Sussex, Southern Vipers and member of 2017 England Women’s Cricket World Cup winning squad), and England rugby stars George Kruis (Saracens), Anthony Watson (Bath) and Tom Curry (Sale Sharks).
Prof. James Calder added: “In this story, the Nightingales show what can be achieved when the odds are stacked against them and they have to work together as one team. Ultimately, it leads to the rediscovery of kindness, lessons learned and a win in the face of adversity. That is the story of every sports match but so, too, it is what we will learn from this pandemic.
“It is no surprise this book has attracted the support and involvement of top athletes Jordan Henderson, Danny Welbeck, Jack Wilshere, George Kruis, Anthony Watson, Tom Curry, Mark Wood, Danni Wyatt and Joe Root. It is a story that, like sport, will bring people together.
“The Nightingales’ Song is a beautiful and very necessary story for these difficult times. The book will also raise money to support an institution that has had to re-invent itself at unbelievable speed – the NHS.”
All proceeds from sales of The Nightingales’ Song will go to the NHS Charities Together Covid-19 Appeal. Funds from the appeal are granted to member NHS charities, numbering over 200 charities across the UK. At the time of the publication of the e-book, NHS Charities Together has granted £20 million to the NHS.
Ellie Orton, chief executive, NHS Charities Together, said: “I love this book because it will inspire children to get into sport while helping to raise money that will support NHS staff, volunteers and patients dealing with the COVID crisis. I’m really grateful to Phil for pouring such creativity into this as well as the contributions from so many other amazing people, and I really hope it raises some vital funds for our appeal.”
The illustrations in the e-book are by Kenyan wildlife artist Laura Hutchinson, who was working with Phil on another book project when he suggested The Nightingales’ Song and she was delighted to get involved.
Phil, a finalist with England in the 2016 Over-45s Hockey World Cup in Australia, says he hopes a physical edition of the book will be available soon.
The Nightingales’ Song by Phil Clegg, with illustrations by Laura Hutchinson, £3.99, for ages 5+, published by Upside Down Books/Trigger Publishing, is available today from all major e-retailers, including Amazon, Google Play Store and Apple Books.