A Home for Spark the Dragon by Michael Sheen and Jess Webb. Illustrated by Sarah Massini
Rating: 
Nothing is perfect, and as such, the reviews in this blog are chaotic. My main aim is to share my thoughts, joy and opinions on a book, not make a publication perfect review. This blog endorses authenticity, showing up and joy over perfection.
I saw this book while I was browsing Waterstones and the first thing that got me was that it was by Michael Sheen and the second thing was that it was supporting Shelter, so I had to buy it. Spark the Dragon loses his home to a storm and therefore is sad and trying to figure out what to do. So he finds a bear friend, who offers him to come and stay with them, but the cave where the bear lives is a bit too damp and dark for Spark's comfort and so he politely thanks his friend and moves on. Next he meets up a beaver, who again, offers his home and Spark helps in the building of it, but it is too noisy and not for him either. You can see where the story is going, right? Spark keeps searching and trying to share someone else's house for a bit, but it isn't right for him. He finally finds something that feels close to the right thing but it still isn't. But thankfully his friends show up and help him make a new home for him so that he has a house and a roof over his head. The art for this is adorable, it is soft and sweet and gentle. And the story is also cute and nicely written. I was looking forward to the next house and to what Spark would do, but also hoping he'd find his own home. I really liked that his friends help him make a house a home, because as someone who was homeless at some point in her life, if it hadn't been for my friends putting me up in their couches, I wouldn't be here. They made a huge difference and even helped me get out of that bad spot in life, and I am ever so grateful to them. But I also know how it feels to have no place to call home and to feel lost and unsure. And it has made me appreciate home even more (and it also makes me more sensitive to not feeling at home at times). Plus I am glad it is to support Shelter, who is a wonderful charity. Worth reading, and worth reflecting on how lucky we are to have a home right now and that there is indeed a lot of luck involved in these type of things.