Review | Saved!!! by Lydia Williams and Lucinda Gifford

From Matildas legend and beloved Indigenous goalkeeper Lydia Williams comes Saved!!!, a bright and uplifting picture book about a young girl named Lydia growing up in the Australian outback. She’s energetic, determined, and always ready to join in a game with her animal friends, Emu, Kangaroo, and Koala. They try basketball, climbing, and other activities, but Lydia struggles to match their natural talents. Then comes a game of football (“soccer” in the book), where she takes her place in goal.

As you might expect from a goalkeeper’s story, the match comes down to the wire, with the final penalty resting on Lydia’s shoulders. After a shaky performance, she faces the ultimate test and makes a diving save. Crucially, the story ends there. There’s no tidy moral, no declaration that football is “her sport”, just one glorious moment of triumph, leaving space for readers to find their own meaning. It’s a confident storytelling choice that treats young audiences with respect.

Williams has said she wanted to “inspire kids to dream big and to chase their goals with the self-belief that they can achieve anything.” That message comes through, especially for young goalkeepers. In a children’s literature landscape where women’s football is still rare (and women goalkeepers rarer still) Saved!!! is a welcome addition.

The illustrations burst with colour and movement. Saturated tones, expressive characters, and the rich red dust of the outback give the story cultural texture and a sense of place. Action sequences, particularly the final penalty, are full of energy and tension, with bold facial expressions and dynamic poses drawing readers right into the moment.

Elements from Williams’ own childhood subtly weave through the story, like playing barefoot footy in the red dust, giving it authenticity and heart.

Saved!!! is a joyful celebration of sport, self-belief, and the magic of seizing your moment, even if it’s just one save that makes all the difference.

Interested in other fiction books by professional female players? Check out this list