Rebekah and Jamie Vardy sign copies of their children’s novel for queuing fans

Rebekah and Jamie Vardy looked in great spirits as they sign copies of their children’s novel for queuing fans at the Leicester City Club Store on Thursday.

The WAG, 40, and the footballer, 35, beamed while chatting to kids and parents at the event to launch Cedric The Little Sloth with a Big Dream.

But it comes after parents hit out at the book last month, branding it a ‘waste of time’ and slamming it as ‘drivel’. 

At the book signing Rebekah looked winter chic in a long camel coat and white roll neck while sweeping her brunette tresses up and opting for glamorous makeup.

Meanwhile beside her a beaming Jamie looked casual in a dark blue Louis Vuitton jumper.

The pair looked happy as they chatted to kids and their parents as they signed the books – all of whom looked delighted to get to meet them.

Book: The WAG, 40, and the footballer, 35, beamed while chatting to kids and parents at the event to launch Cedric The Little Sloth with a Big Dream

Oh dear: But it comes after parents hit out at the book last month, branding it a ‘waste of time’ and slamming it as ‘drivel’ 

It comes after parents have hit out at the children’s book, branding it a ‘waste of time’ and slamming it as ‘drivel’.

Cedric the Little Sloth with a Big Dream, while receiving some positive attention, doesn’t appear to have impressed many, with secondhand copies being sold for nearly half the retail price online.

Amazon and bookshop Blackwell’s were selling the tale, penned by the celebrity couple, at a knock-down price, with comments from reviewers referencing the author’s Wagatha Christie libel legal defeat to Coleen Rooney this year.

Glowing: At the book signing Rebekah looked winter chic in a long camel coat and white roll neck while sweeping her brunette tresses up and opting for glamorous makeup

Since its release this year the story, which the pair have previously said ‘isn’t about having to be the best or winning at everything, but is about trying your hardest, being happy and going after your dreams’, has been called ‘terrible’, ‘not great’ and even ‘awful’. 

‘Don’t waste your money on this book, looks and feels cheap,’ one user called Abi said on Amazon. ‘Shouldn’t have been surprised with the author.’

Another poster added: ‘Please do not waste your money or your children’s time on this book. A complete waste of time. Avoid.’

The man: Meanwhile beside her a beaming Jamie looked casual in a dark blue Louis Vuitton jumper

Father Lemar Harrison wrote sacrcastically: ‘Not great. I bought this book for my children. When I told them who it was by, they refused to have it read to them.

‘One of the children asked if the Sloth sold stories to the press about the other players. This might be the plot for the next book.’

A fourth user added: ‘With talented children’s authors out there, this book written by a footballer with one GCSE and his kiss-and-tell partner should really be low down your list of choices.

Yay! The pair looked happy as they chatted to kids and their parents as they signed the books – all of whom looked delighted to get to meet them

‘It was given to me as a gift and I’m using it to kindle the fire rather than let my kids near such drivel.’

All four parents gave it a one star out of five review on Amazon.

However, not everyone was as disenchanted with Colin’s tale, with 63 per cent of the 14 reviewers on Amazon deciding on a five-star rating.  

Jacqueline Hodgkinson praised the ‘beautifully well written book’.

Flop: Cedric the Little Sloth with a Big Dream, while receiving some positive attention, doesn’t appear to have impressed many, with secondhand copies being sold for nearly half the retail price online

Reaction: Amazon and bookshop Blackwell’s were selling the tale, penned by the celebrity couple, at a knock-down price, with comments from reviewers referencing the author’s Wagatha Christie libel legal defeat to Coleen Rooney this year

‘I loved it and so did my Grandson, also a footballer,’ she added. ‘A story to bring hope to children who feel rejected because they don’t “fit” into a team, highly recommended.’

Cedric the Little Sloth with a Big Dream went on sale in March with a recommended retail price of £7.99.

Amazon is now flogging it for £6.99, the same as Blackwell’s. Online retailer Shulph is selling it for just £5.51 and secondhand copies are selling on Amazon for as little as £4.09.

Harsh: Since its release this year the story, which the pair have previously said ‘isn’t about having to be the best or winning at everything, but is about trying your hardest, being happy and going after your dreams’, has been called ‘terrible’, ‘not great’ and even ‘awful’

The 32-page book tells the story of a sloth who has to battle adversity.

The Amazon description reads: ‘Cedric longs to join the Rainforest Rovers football team, but as everyone knows sloths are too slow and sleepy to play football aren’t they?

‘A charming rhyming story with a heartfelt message, to be yourself and follow your dreams.’

Former England forward Jamie, 35 and wife Rebekah, 40, have six children between them.

Plot: The 32-page book tells the story of a sloth who has to battle adversity (the pair are pictured at the event)

They have three together Sofia, seven, Finley, four and two-year-old Olivia.

Jamie has a daughter – Ella, 11 – with a former partner and Rebekah has Meghan, 17 and 11-year-old Taylor from previous relationships.

Amazon describe the authors in a listing which reads: ‘Jamie and Rebekah Vardy are a well-respected, family-focused celebrity couple.

‘With six children between them, who range between two and 17 years in age, the couple have always guided their own children to follow their dreams, believe in their abilities and have the confidence to be themselves.

Story: The Amazon description reads: ‘Cedric longs to join the Rainforest Rovers football team, but as everyone knows sloths are too slow and sleepy to play football aren’t they?’

Reviews: ‘Don’t waste your money on this book, looks and feels cheap,’ one user called Abi said on Amazon. ‘Shouldn’t have been surprised with the author’

‘One of Rebekah’s objectives is to share not only her personal learnings from being a parent, but also the values she believes in, with personal confidence being an important one of them.

‘At home both Jamie and Rebekah read with their children and have a shared belief in encouraging children to be themselves.

‘The couple wanted to develop stories based around a theme that they strongly believe in, and which will be reiterated in every title: inspiring children to be confident and happy, just by being themselves and never letting anyone tell you that you can’t achieve your dreams.’

Home of football: Despite the bad reviews the fans were queuing up to see the celebrity couple on Thursday

Jamie and Rebekah said: ‘Working on this first book together has been a dream for us.’

The pair have admitted they ‘aren’t writers’ but are ‘experienced parents’.

‘We know which messages we care most about instilling into our children,’ the pair added. ‘It’s been a real family affair and we hope that readers love this first book as much as our family does.

At the book’s launch in March, Rebekah said their children have greatly enjoyed reading the book, gushing that ‘it’s so cute to see their little faces light up with enjoyment from something that we created’.

‘Please let us know if your children love it as much as ours, we’d love to hear your comments,’ she added. 

Rebekah reportedly lost close to £3million in her legal battle with Wayne Rooney’s wife – including a libel payout and legal costs.

The case came after Coleen infamously tweeted ‘It’s…. Rebekah Vardy’s account’ in 2019 after sleuthing to try and find out who was leaking stories about her.

The High Court found in Coleen’s favour.

Family: Rebekah and Jamie (pictured together) have admitted they ‘aren’t writers’ but are ‘experienced parents’

Love: At the book’s launch in March, Rebekah said their children have greatly enjoyed reading the book, gushing that ‘it’s so cute to see their little faces light up’