A true story, written by Rico at only ten years old, this heart-warming and important picture book will appeal to everyone of all ages, even the youngest child. Rico not only has a way with words, but also has had in his short life lots of things happen that haven't happened to many ten year olds. Fostered at a young age by a nice family, he was separated from his two sisters, and this made him sad and lonely. His inner mantra was his determination to feel 'strong and tough'. His foster parents encouraged him to talk about his feelings, but he found this difficult. He and his sisters did meet each week in Contact Centres or in the park, but parting each time was hard. His consolation was in playing football, and this he did constantly. 'Football mad', he calls himself. After some time, things changed for the better. All three children were moved to a new foster home, headed by a male LGBT couple who made life far happier, planning days out, providing the children with a great home life (and a puppy) and playing football as a family. Rico was happy but still had deeply held worries about this not being a 'forever family', particularly when a social worker tells him that if they are adopted, it will probably mean parting from his sisters again. Playing football became the only time he truly felt himself. Then the unexpected happened, and the two young men decided to adopt the children, and life became settled and very happy for all three. 'It was like scoring the winning sudden-death penalty in a cup final,' Rico says! He is doing well in his football too, now being a Junior Premier League footballer well on his way. In the book, Rico is called Charlie, but it is Rico himself who tells his story, along with Sharratt's magical pictures. One can only wish Rico very well in life and that he will always be 'strong and tough'.