ShortBookandScribes #BookReview – Sparky the Dragon Bus by Sue Wickstead @JayJayBus @rararesources #BlogTour #childrensbooks

We’re big fans of Sue Wickstead’s books in our house so I’m so pleased to be reviewing another of her books today – Sparky the Dragon Bus. My thanks to Sue for sending a copy of the book for review purposes and to Rachel Gilbey from Rachel’s Random Resources for the place on the tour.

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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.

Amazon UK

Amazon.com

Free 3D bus template with book orders from Sue Wickstead’s website or direct message to author.

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My six year old son and I have read all of Sue Wickstead’s bus stories and we always enjoy them.

In Sparky the Dragon Bus, Sparky is a normal double decker bus who is turned into a playbus for children. She’s transformed on the outside with colourful drawings to make her really eye-catching. One day a young girl in a wheelchair comes along and she’s sad as she thinks she won’t be able to get on the bus. My son noticed straightaway that the step up to the bus was going to be a problem for her. But happily there’s a ramp and not only that, there’s a stair lift too, so the girl can go upstairs and join in the arts and crafts activities. Even better, there’s a slide on the outside of the bus from the top deck to the ground and she gets to have a go on that….and another go….and another go…..

This is a lovely story, based on real events, and it deals brilliantly with inclusivity for disabled people. My son read it out loud to me and whilst there were one or two words he needed help with, overall it was easy for him to read himself. As always, the story is accompanied by vibrant drawings that help to tell the story and there’s a little piece about the real Sparky at the end.

This is another great book from Sue Wickstead. I hope there will be more.

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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.

Social Media Links –

Facebook: – Author Page

Facebook  – Playbus page

Twitter

Instagram

www.suewickstead.co.uk