Chelsea defender Ricardo Carvalho selected Man of the Match by Sophie Smiley.
Book synopsis: This is the second story to feature Bobby, the Down's Syndrome football enthusiast, and his big sister Charlie. This time they are off to summer camp. Also with them is Paul, a boy who hides underneath a furry parka and will not speak. Bobby instantly decides that the two of them are best friends, and as he is potty about football, he tries to play it with him as much as possible.
Charlie is being a responsible older sister and keeping a watch on Bobby, which is demanding enough, but she also has a challenge of her own. One of the planned camp activities is a relay race over water, and she is very scared of water. But thanks to the wonderful positivity that Bobby exudes all round him, Charlie beats her demons, Bobby plays football whether it's planned or not, and Paul? Well, Bobby gets him talking! He makes him Man of the Match!
FUNNY ILLUSTRATIONS
Carvalho reveals: "I think that reading is very important. It is a good way to relax and to use your imagination. I like reading magazines and also things about football or sport in general. I chose the children's book Man of the Match. It caught my eye because of the title I thought it must be about football which I have loved since I was a young child. It's a good story with some funny illustrations. It is a story about football, but it is also about friendship and about having fun."
For more information on the Premier League Reading Stars scheme, click here