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Spark learns to fly ISBN: 9781905664184
Foxon, Judith and Fuller, Rachel
Published by British Agencies for Adoption and Fostering, 2007
Spark is a happy little dragon when he is very young. Dad plays tail-ball with him and mum cooks sausages, but sometimes mum and dad 'grumble and roar' at each other and frighten Spark. When baby Flame is born, Spark loves her and helps look after her. But then the real fighting begins and the little dragons are hurt. After this, Spark and Flame go to live with Serena, a foster dragon. She is very kind and understanding, but Spark has bad dreams and misses his mum. Sometimes, particularly after they have visited her, Spark gets 'so cross that his breath gets fiery'. When the little dragons are allowed back home, with the provision that dad is not there, they discover he is, and they are removed back to Serena again. Mum chooses to stay with dad, and Spark is so angry he wants to scorch everyone. Serena encourages him to draw his angry feelings, and she helps him find other coping strategies too. In time, Spark stops worrying so much, and Serena is able to teach himn to fly. This is a beautifully constructed story with cuddly illustrations that help take away the pain. The fact that it is dragons experiencing the violence removes the reality just one step and gives it a fictional aspect that will help children come to terms with abuse. There is an extensive guidelines booklet in the back which will help foster parents cope with children who have experienced domestic violence. A really excellent production. Available from BAAF Publications, Saffron House, 6-10 Kirby Street, London EC1N 8TS or www.baaf.org.uk.
Age: 5+
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