Sparky the Wonder Puppy

Description

This stunning children's picture book tells the true story of Sparky, an amazing dog who survived the devastation of the Australian bushfires 2019-20. The Wild family adopted Sparky at Christmas time, and when they were forced to evacuate just a few days later, Sparky was lost in the Tintaldra bushland. When the Wild family return to find their home destroyed by the fire, their spirits are buoyed when their scrappy puppy emerges from the smoky surroundings. This meaningful book has been written and illustrated to help children to understand and discuss traumatic events such as bushfires and other natural disasters. It comes with support from child psychologists who recognise the comfort and encouragement it will provide for kids, with one quarter of the print run being donated to children and their families in the Upper Murray region.

Craig Sheather is a freelance travel and creative writer from Albury in southern New South Wales. He specialises in lifestyle writing about the outdoors, food and wine, luxury, adventure and family travel. He's authored two walking guide books; 'Best Walks of Victoria's High Country' and 'Best Walks East of Melbourne'. Craig is married with two cheeky young children so he has also developed a strong interest in children's books. Some of his family originated in the Upper Murray and he also owns a cabin in Khancoban so holds a deep connection to the region. Along with the Wild family (Sparky's owners), Craig is very happy to share Sparky's remarkable story of hope and survival. Eloise Short lives in the heart of the Blue Mountains, NSW, with her family. With degrees in both Textile Design and Visual Art (Fine Art), Eloise's work has been showcased in galleries and fashion ranges both locally and internationally via the likes of Calvin Klein, Anthropologie, Tigerlily, Kookai, Milk and Thistle, Jets Swimwear, Peter Alexander, Seafolly and Dragstar, to name just a few. Her first children's book with author Jodie McLeod, 'Leonard the Lyrebird', was released in September 2018 and has since gone on to be awarded the Whitley Award (Junior Fiction) and was a finalist in the KOALA Awards 2019.