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Postcard book review: Marcus Rashford, You Can Do It

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How to find your voice and make a difference

Here is another book that I have enjoyed reading. This time it was with a young footballer. Together we learned so much from this book, thanks especially to the way it encouraged discussion about the ideas being suggested.

This is the first Marcus Rashford book I have read, and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for books that might interest children whose main enthusiasm is football. The content is told from Marcus Rashford’s point of view, highlighting lessons he’s learned on his journey to becoming one of England’s greatest strikers. The other insights in it are around how to develop your voice off the football pitch. It is written with respect and understanding, both of the challenges faced by those caught in less affluent parts of society, and of the value of support given, particularly around food.

The writing is clear, and there are black and white graphics on every page to help break up the text.

(The book is a Macmillan Children’s Book, published in 2022)

Copyright Georgie Knaggs & The Phraser 2023

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A thought on age rating in films

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It must be so complex trying to decide how to rate a film. I would love to know what percentage of families take note of the ratings when it comes to seeing movies at home. In our case we tried, but sometimes it was like swimming up a waterfall, the higher ratings only making the film more tempting to any youngsters we thought we might have had a chance of influencing.

Was I grateful for the ratings? Yes, although some of them left me completely baffled, especially when our children were younger and without a television in the house. Like teddy bears at a picnic they’d be looking forward to the movie treat, when suddenly some gory, or tragic, universal ‘U’-rated film, would put them through a whole shock level of trauma that most of their ‘sophisticated’ contemporaries didn’t even register. Makes me laugh now looking back, but I remember the stress then. I think it was probably far worse for me imagining how bad it might be for them, than it actually was for them!

Our parental life had not begun in 1978, but it seems viewing trauma still lingers for those parenting then, and, as if in recognition of the stress suffered, either by parents from that time or by their children, and just in case it happens again, the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) has, after 45 years, raised the rating of Watership Down from ‘U’ (suitable for all) to parental guidance (PG).

In the United Kingdom the recently released film Barbie is rated as 12A meaning anyone under twelve should be accompanied by an adult.

Copyright Georgie Knaggs & The Phraser 2023

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A first sight of Barbie, the movie

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“She’s everything. He’s just Ken”

A lot going on in this film. Bright like bubblegum, sticky too. Kept me thinking about the ending.

The main stars, Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, were absolutely key to this, and they really held the ribbons together. The director is Greta Gerwig.

Have no idea what the audience thought. It was a packed, 9.15, Saturday night screening, and they arrived in chattering, happy, brightly dressed young groups or pairs. They left quietly.

Would love to know what you think if you’ve had a chance to see it. I think I need to watch it again.

Copyright Georgie Knaggs & The Phraser 2023