Piccadilly Press, an imprint of Bonnier Books UK, is thrilled to announce the acquisition of a hilarious new middle grade football series: Kid Manager by Bali Rai, writing as B. Panwar, and highly illustrated by Alan Brown. It’s a feel-good story with heart, humour and hope, where underdogs triumph in a younger take on Ted Lasso!
Ella Whiddett, editorial director at Piccadilly Press, acquired world all language rights to two books from Ashley Thorpe at Storymix, previously senior editor. Senior designer Michelle Brackenborough commissioned the art from Will Drayson at Advocate Art.
Ten-year-old Amar is his local football team Blunderhampton Wanderers’ biggest fan. But the once-great club is falling apart, with clueless tactics, hopeless players and a stadium that’s more rust than roar. So when Amar wins the chance to manage the Wanderers for a week, he’s thrilled. How hard can it be? Pick a line-up, cheer from the sidelines, bask in glory – easy! Except now he’s got to make the calls, face the press and deal with the furious ex-manager who’ll stop at nothing to get his job back.
With fun football facts, activities and lots of illustrations, including comic panels for gameplay sequences, Kid Manager is a visually dynamic treat ideal for reluctant readers.
B. Panwar says: “Working on this project with Storymix and Piccadilly has been a lot of fun. I have always been a passionate football fan, so creating Kid Manager was right up my street. It’s such a pleasure to finally work with Jasmine at Storymix, and Ella at Bonnier!”
Ella Whidett said: “With laugh‑out‑loud moments, nail‑biting matches and huge heart, Kid Manager is sure to score big with middle grade readers – whether they’re football fanatics or totally new to the game. Forget the tired ‘star player’ narrative: in a brilliantly original twist, Amar doesn’t score goals, he calls the shots. I’m absolutely thrilled to be publishing our first collaboration with Storymix and to team up with Bali – a creator who brings unbeatable expertise in both football and writing for children.”
Jasmine Richards, founder of Storymix, said: “I’ve wanted to work with Bali for years, and Kid Manager felt like the right project to do that as I knew he was a huge football fan and also shared our passion for telling stories where everyone is seen and valued. Vision and collaboration make a great football team. The same is true when it comes to publishing, and Storymix has loved working with Ella and the team at Bonnier for this reason. Kid Manager = kid appeal – it’s as simple as that.”
Bali Rai (writing as B. Panwar) was born in Leicester where he grew up in a multicultural community dreaming of playing football for Liverpool FC, being Bob Marley or becoming a writer. He is a leading and award-winning voice in UK children’s fiction, and writes the books he would have enjoyed as a young person. A passionate advocate of reading for pleasure and promoting literacy and empathy, he has over twenty years of experience in working with young people across the UK and abroad.
Alan Brown is a UK-based illustrator with a background in storyboarding, graphic design and tattoo art. Versatile in style, he excels at bold, comic-inspired work. Alan works from his attic studio in the North East with his sons and his spirited schnauzer sidekick, Ollie.
Kid Manager will be publishing in paperback in April 2027, followed bythe second book later in the year.
