Sparky is the central character in this delightful story for children. He was a confident dragon, but he’s lost his confidence and his overall spark. So he embarks on an adventure, hoping he will regain his confidence, spark and overall optimism. Along the way he meets some unexpected friends – an owl, a lion, a bear – who all help him in different ways on his journey of self-discovery.
This is a charming story with rhyming text that reads wonderfully out loud, with just the right mix of easy and more challenging words for young readers.
It’s nice to see the strategies for Sparky in the story include having support from friends, saying positive affirmations, and that it is okay to make mistakes.
Glen Zimmer’s illustrations bring the story to life visually and show how Sparky’s moods as the tale progresses, really adding to the overall experience.
This is a fabulous book that will also help encourage conversations with young readers, pitched perfectly to its target audience, and parents will enjoy reading as well!
Reviewer: Karen McMillan