As someone who drive the Sparky Playbus I was delighted with how Sue told the story of Sparky from the perspective of the bus in a child friendly way. Sparky provided opportunities for disabled children to be included.

Wonderful Children's book.

February 29, 2020
Having a friend who is a teacher and a grandmother, I am always on the lockout for books to recommend to her as a teaching aid and also to purchase as presents for her grandchildren. Since being introduced to Sue Wickstead’s books, they have become a firm favourite, because they are suitable for both these groups and always prove entertaining and informative.

Why? For a teacher they always have a strong theme within them, with Sparky The Dragon Bus, it’s about including disabled children in fun activities on a mobile play unit, adapted from a bus, that can travel to areas that lack a play area of their own. It shows young readers that all children, no matter how physically active they are, or if they are disabled, that there should be no reason why they should not enjoy the same activities of their able bodied friends. Sparky has been adapted for wheelchair use and which allows the little girl in the story, to be included in all the activities her friends enjoy. It has a strong story about inclusivity and if teachers have wheelchair users in their class, it gives that a positive representation in story form, which is rare. Disabled children need strong stories that represent their needs and which they can identify with, while their friends through this story, will learn that disability need not be a reason to exclude their friends from the activities they enjoy. There are always calls for disabled children to be given representation in books and this book does so in such a positive way, children will learn from it and that is to be celebrated. It also has at the back the real story behind the real Sparky The Dragon Bus, which could be used as part of a teaching project around disability and access to provisions for young children, who often are left feeling excluded, by a lack of simple to do adaptions.

The joy of this book is that because of all of the above, because it is such a fun, well written and boldly illustrated story, it can also be used as a guided read for parents and their children, or for as an independent read for young readers. The story matches the illustrations perfectly, the child having fun and the pictures emphasis the sense of joy and excitement for a young child, finally able to enjoy the same games as her friends. It all makes you smile and the young reader will absorb this theme of equality, while being told a wonderful and informative tale.

It's rare to find a book that can be both a teaching aid and a fun general reader, but this one fulfils both brilliantly and I can’t recommend it enough.

Inclusive and true story

February 23, 2020
Those of you who have followed my blog for a while will know I’m a big fan of Sue Wickstead’s bus themed picture books. Not only are they based on the real play buses which were around when I was younger, but she writes so nicely. This is an old-school, gentle, tale of inclusivity and it made me cry. I love it. In fact I’m welling up again just writing this.

A great book looking at diversity

February 20, 2020
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.

heartwarming and delightful

February 14, 2020
When Sparky was chosen for a special project she was a little anxious and unsure. Lots of changes make Sparky worried what the other buses will think but she has no need to worry as she is about to be transformed into the most precious bus of all. 

I have read all of Sue's bus picture books and loved them all dearly but Sparky has just found a completely special place in my heart. As a SENDCo my heart just melted at the way Sparky has been designed to be inclusive to children with physical disabilities. Following the little girl as she longingly explored Sparky's exterior and the feelings she went though when she found the ramp to board was so heartwarming. even more exciting was when she realised she could use the slide. Many people don't realise how much of a precious gift these small alterations can be for people. 

As usual with Sue's books, the pictures tell as much of a story as the words. The illustrations capture the full delight of each bus and really allow the reader to explore Sparky in a visual way. The pure delight of each character is perfectly etched into each picture too. 

A wonderful tale of inclusivity in a world where it has never been more important.

My grandson and I enjoyed reading this diverse, inclusive, beautifully illustrated story together.

February 11, 2020
Sparky transforms into a very special playbus for all children. Sparky is a little worried about being different from the other buses in the station, even though she is secretly proud of her new colourful paintwork. When she meets her new passengers, it all makes sense.

The’ Sparky The Dragon Bus’ story is based on a real play bus in Glasgow. Apart from her new interior and bright paintwork, Sparky has another feature, which she realises, means all children can enjoy her facilities.

This story shows the importance of inclusion, and how it can be achieved in a play environment. The illustrations complement the story and will appeal to those children not yet able to read themselves.

My grandson and I enjoyed reading this diverse, inclusive, beautifully illustrated story together. ‘Sparky The Dragon Bus’ is a lovely motivational addition to the Jay-Jay Bus series of children’s books.

I received a copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review.

Beautiful children's book

December 18, 2019

A beautiful present for my friend's son. A great story about a bus that promotes inclusion. Gorgeous illustrations. If you are looking for a present for a child this is a winner.

A beautiful story of inclusion

December 13, 2019

What an amazing story, more so the fact that Sparky the Bus is a real playbus adapted for all children to be able to join in the fun. Truly remarkable and bright beautiful illustrations.Well done to the author and illustrator.

Delightful

November 14, 2019
After reading Jay-Jay the Supersonic bus, I was looking forward to sharing Sparky the Dragon Bus with my little boy, who is a fan of any vehicle. After we had finished he asked me to read it again and kept saying bus.

A lovely children's picture book about a double-decker bus being transformed into a play bus. Sparky was painted and renamed 'The Dragon Bus'.

A group of children visited the Dragon Bus with an anxious girl in a wheelchair, who approached the bus cautiously. However she loved her experience on the bus as she found a ramp, craft activities,a special lift to the upper deck, a ball pit and a slide. The girl was able to enjoy all of the activities as the features on the bus allowed her to be independent.

A delightful book about inclusion and being different. Great for young readers.

This was a joy to read with my youngest. We enjoyed the illustrations and the only thing I would say is that the storyline is similar of JayJay's although getting towards the end of the book things were different and we simply loved how it ended. Seeing the photo's brought the story to life once again and we had discussions about it and talked about how Sparky was an inclusive bus.
With bright pictures and lots to pick out from the pages you can't go wrong. A heart warming read.

A heart-warming tale for young and old

October 24, 2019
Author Sue Wickstead, has done it again and produced an enchanting tale based on a true story. Sparky is another wonderful Playbus that was transformed from being just an ordinary bus, for some very special children. The illustrations in the book, are again, vibrant and cheerful and make you smile as you read. Sue has written a heart-warming story that will delight both young and old.

An absolutely delightful story of inclusion

October 16, 2019
Ms Wickstead is a teacher, as well as a children's author. She understands how to motivate children to read, and produces colourful, educational and interesting short story books to engage and delight young readers.

As always, Ms Wickstead's trademark bird - in this book it's a pigeon - is placed in each two-page spread for young readers to find, and add their own words to this story.

In Sparky The Dragon Bus, we see another bus fitted out as a play-bus, only this one is specially adapted to accommodate children with mobility issues.

When a little girl who uses a wheelchair comes to look at the bus, she is delighted to find that she can use a ramp to wheel herself onto the bus and join in the fun with the other children. There is a stair lift to get her to the top deck where she can play in the ball pond, and use the slide. She says that she has never felt so included!

An absolutely delightful story of inclusion, with beautifully drawn pictures, and a cheeky little pigeon, that will delight and entertain young readers.