Sparky the Dragon Bus by Sue Wickstead #Review

I am delighted to welcome Sue Wickstead's picture book, Sparky the Dragon Bus to Cat and Mouse Reading today. This picture book for 5-9 year olds was published on 3rd November. 
 

Sparky isn’t your typical double-decker bus.

Behind the dragon and magical paintings, she’s full of fun and adventures for all children.
Jump aboard to find out what makes Sparky so special.

Sparky isn’t your typical double-decker bus.

Behind the dragon and magical paintings, she’s full of fun and adventures for all children.

Jump aboard to find out what makes Sparky so special.


I absolutely admire the inclusive feel of this picture book which chooses to highlight how, with a few modifications, you can enable children to access all the activities which the able bodied can without thinking about it. This is what sets the book apart from others in the series.  

This book is ideal for sharing with a young reader. It has some marvellous illustrations and text which is spread out clearly and logically. I particularly liked the bold illustrations of the bus and the joy on the children's faces. 
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The story is gently told and is just right for its intended age group. You absolutely get to feel the joy when the modifications on the bus enable the little girl to be included and she can experience the fun of the bus, just like anyone else.

Cat and Mouse say; Go for it!
  

                                                                              About the Author


I am an author and a teacher and have written six children’s picture books, all with a bus included somewhere.

Having been able to share my first book, 'Jay-Jay the Supersonic Bus', it was time to think about writing a book for younger readers.

While visiting a local school the children were writing stories about a journey, we read Jay-Jay’s book and then I remembered a book that I had written some years before and I read this to the class too, and they loved it.

The original story was based on a walk with my class around the neighbourhood of Bewbush, Crawley. The walk had led to map work and sequencing. Then together with the class I wrote an imaginative adventure.

The events we imagined were put into a class book. The book was shared with many classes and it was always a favourite.

Now years later I decided it was time to update, improve and look at publishing the book.

There is indeed a walk around the district of Bewbush, and following the publication of the book I went back to see if and how the neighbourhood had changed.

‘Oh, I see you have written a book without a bus!’ commented a friend.

But, look through the pages and you will see there always has to be a bus!

The neighbourhood of Bewbush was a new estate built in Crawley town in the 1970's. The area was built without any shops, school or safe places for children to play. It was an area of high need and was supported by a special playbus which offered a much-needed playgroup venue.

I also undertake events and author bookings and love to share my stories. There are also a few more stories in the writing process, with links to real events and buses.

You can follow Sue here: 
 Website   |  Facebook   |  Twitter



  |  Instagram

Book links:  Amazon UK  |  Amazon US 
  
Free 3D bus template with book orders from Sue Wickstead’s website or direct message to author - https://www.suewickstead.co.uk/
 
Thanks to Sue Wickstead and Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources for a copy of the book and a place on the tour. 
 
                                             Check out the rest of the tour!



Comments

  1. Thank you for stopping by to climb on the Playbus tour.
    I love hearing the thoughts of others and especially 'Cat and Mouse'.
    indeed 'Go for it.'

    ReplyDelete

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