The picture book, called A Home for Spark the Dragon, co-written with Jess Webb and illustrated by Sarah Massini, is coming to shelves on June 5. More details below:
Puffin will publish the debut picture book by actor Michael Sheen and author Jess Webb, A Home for Spark the Dragon, illustrated by artist Sarah Massini, described as “a heartwarming, thought-provoking picture book introducing young readers to notions of home and homelessness”, by the publisher.
Joe Marriott, Puffin publisher, acquired world rights from Cathryn Summerhayes at Curtis Brown and Cait Hoyt at Creative Artists Agency. He acquired illustration rights from Neil Dunnicliffe at Spring Literary. A Home for Spark the Dragon will be published in hardback on 5th June 2025.
The synopsis reads: “When Spark the dragon wakes up and finds a storm has destroyed his nest, he tries to find a new place to live. But Spark soon discovers that a house needs more than just walls to feel like home. Will he ever find the right place for him?”
Puffin said: “Everyone’s lives can be touched by housing insecurity and homelessness, whether by personal experience; knowing someone affected; or encountering the impacts on others in the news or in our day-to-day lives.
“Sheen and Webb’s magical and hopeful story, coupled with Sarah Massini’s beautiful illustrations, harnesses the power of storytelling to help families and educators start these important conversations with young readers. Through this book they hope to build understanding of home and homelessness, and to further acceptance and inclusion of those affected.”
Michael gave an interview to the BBC on his new project:
Hollywood actor Michael Sheen has said he hopes his new children’s book will get the next generation talking about homelessness.
Sheen is launching A Home For Spark The Dragon, which tells the story of a dragon who loses his home and then goes on a quest to find a new one.
He said he hoped it would help children to start thinking about ways they could make a difference in future.
“I’ve always believed that telling stories is an important way to make change in the world – and in the long run, stories for children can make the most change of all,” said Sheen.
[…] Sheen, 56, said: “I feel very fortunate that I got to grow up in a safe and happy home, but knowing that for many people this isn’t the case, has increasingly made me want to do what I can to help.”
He said he hoped children would enjoy reading about Spark the dragon and his animal friends who live in “a magical woodland world” as they embarked on “a quest to find a new place to call home”.
“I hope Spark’s adventure is fun to read and at the same time, that his story gives a way in for young readers to talk about what it is to be homeless – and to start to think about ways to make a difference,” he added.