Little Bont and the Big Secret

by Marcus Bontempelli, Fiona Harris, Megan Higgins (Illustrator)

Marcus absolutely positively LOVES footy. But there’s something he loves even more than footy … his Nanna Nancy!

Nanna is always there for Marcus. So when Marcus accidentally kicks his football into Nanna Nancy’s favourite garden gnome, he panics!

Owning up to his mistake might land him in trouble. But lying to his Nanna doesn’t feel so good, either …


From Western Bulldogs’ captain and four-time club Best & Fairest winner Marcus Bontempelli comes a heartwarming story about honesty, family … and of course, a little bit of footy.

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 26, 2021

About the author

Marcus Bontempelli is a professional footballer who grew up in Melbourne. Bontempelli was match-day captain for the Western Bulldogs when he became the youngest player in AFL history to captain a VFL/AFL side to victory. Now the captain of the Western Bulldogs, the four-time All-Australian, four-time Charles Sutton Medal (best & fairest) winner has a host of awards and accolades under his belt from his professional career so far.

His debut picture book, co-written with Fiona Harris, is a celebration of Marcus’s beloved late Nanna Nancy, who was always his biggest fan.

Reviews

[Aydan Nolan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this at a target in 3 minutes. Incredible book, fantastic narrative with our protagonist going on a fantastic moral and ethical character arc over blaming the dog for breaking something; some beautiful illustrations as well. Bont is the goat on the field and off.

[ellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

beautiful piece of literature

[Erin Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a Western Bulldogs supporter—and the fiancée of a man named Marcus—I might be biased, but this is a fantastic book. The illustrations are stunning, the dedication to Bontempelli’s Nanna is heartwarming, and the story carries an important message.

We gifted this to our nephew, hoping he loves it as much as we do—and that it gives him a soft spot for our beloved team.

[DonutKnow · Rating 3 out of 5]

I want to give it 4 stars but it’s mainly because it’s my Marcus Bontempelli ❤️❤️ It’s a good story about telling the truth, but a great one about family- and I love seeing how much Marcus’ family means to him 🤩❤️

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well done Marcus. Lovely story. Love the dedications

[Amoi · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW

[Olympia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it to my son after a short stay in hospital. Brightened up his day.

[Abra Pressler · Rating 5 out of 5]

A solid children's book from a celeb and Affirm Press.

[Mella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming little picture book from AFL player, Marcus Bontempelli, about football, accidents and lying. The illustrations are gorgeous. The text and story straightforward if not a bit too simple for older children. 4 stars for preschool kids.