This is a review for the children’s book A Little Spark – Mom’s Choice Award® Gold Medal Recipient. I was sent a copy of the book in exchange for this review. Check out the Press Release here:
Getting Charlie to sit down and read the 30 minutes a day is harder than getting Charlieinto a Dentist to have teeth pulled. When I found out A Little Spark is interactive, I thought that might capture Charlie’s attention. Keeping Charlie focused on reading.
When A Little Spark, I didn’t tell Charlie what I was doing. I turned on the Video to see what would happen. As I did, I found myself commenting on things I saw. I found myself singing along to the song that was playing in the background throughout the day as I worked in my home.
David watched the Video with me. Then David asked if we could sit down that evening to read A Little Spark. I said that would be fine. As I continued working Charlie walked up. I could see Charlie wanted something. Charlie put his hand on the book. I asked if Charlie would like to look through the book. Charlie said can I.
I handed the book to Charlie. Before I knew what was happening, Charlie began to read the story. Then Charlie wanted to discuss the animals inside the book with David. I heard Charlie say mom there is a Owl you need to come see this. I loved how excited Charlie was. I asked Charlie which animal he liked. Charlie said the Dinosaur which didn’t surprise me.
I let Charlie know there were 14 songs we can listen to. Charlie reminded me we can use these songs in our Homeschool Music Class. As we were talking David said we could play the Music in Art and Drama Class as well. Charlie said I can’t wait to draw the animals and make my own story. Charlie said I might even try and compose a song based on the story.
A Little Spark is a chapter book. Parents can set goals of how much they will read to there children each day. Or that they want there children to read. Then sit down and discuss what they read that day or let them do a report or Comprehension questions if there homeschooling like Charlie.
A Little Spark is a family read-aloud fully illustrated chapter book complete with soundtrack and audiobook. There are beautiful illustrations to help bring the text to life, an audiobook with delightful performances of each character, and an album of songs (that can be accessed through QR codes). Check out the Parent’s Guide to A Little Spark.
Once they get done reading you can get out the Activity book for them to work in. Which for my family Charlie and I can use in our Homeschool Art Class as we color the pictures. Do the Dot to Dot which would be a math class for Charlie.
About:
“A Little Spark offers just the right amount of magic and adventure to captivate readers and encourage them to venture out into the world with a spark of their own.” – The Children’s Book Review
“It is innovative, inspiring, and entertaining” – Barbara Mojica, Author & Educator
“Our panel of judges really felt this book merited a place on our list of the best in family-friendly media products that parents and educators can feel confident in using” – Dawn Matheson, CEO, Mom’s Choice Awards
A Family Read-Aloud – Fully Illustrated Chapter Book Complete with Soundtrack and Audiobook
Featuring the protagonist Spark, the brave young mouse, a fireless fire-breathing dragon Daniel, a freezing world, and an enemy to conquer, action, fantasy and humor are weaved throughout the story. With displays of kindness, comradery, bravery, forgiveness and even some evil to allow for valuable takeaways, A Little Spark delivers teachable moments for children as a great “Family Read-Aloud” and for young readers ages 7 and above.
There are beautiful illustrations to help bring the text to life, an audiobook with delightful performances of each character, and an album of songs (that can be accessed through QR codes).
When the survival of their hometown is threatened, two unlikely comrades join forces on a quest to defeat a dangerous enemy and bring back the only one who can save them all.
Beyond the frozen mountains there lies an oasis from the frigid cold and the howling winds. A place the animals call Lake Zuron. What a wonderful place, happy creatures of all kinds, living in harmony and warmth thanks to their very own fire-breathing dragon named Daniel.
But one day everything changed when the unthinkable happened. The Dragon fire goes out and immediately the air begins to chill. Things were not looking good but just when all hope was lost, an unlikely hero steps up. Join Spark the mouse on an adventure of a lifetime as he and his friends do their part to save their town from an icy demise.
With the magical power of Daniel, the Dragon there could be hope. But first they must face and defeat a dangerous enemy, the vile beasts who own these mountains where nobody passes through.
Along this journey maybe you will discover that it’s that little Spark in each of us that really matters, and that a little Spark could save them from the coming cold. The story reminds us that we all need something in life every day to ignite our passion and spirit – to help the world be a “warmer” place and to look for ways to “Be That Spark.”
Be That Spark
Is the overall theme of everything we do at Zuroam Media and the book “A Little Spark “and its related content is how we bring it to life? We believe that children’s literature is a powerful force to shape and nurture the minds of tomorrow’s leaders.
When combined with a meaningful interactive experience, he or she is transported to a magical place, and emerges a little wiser, and more prepared for a fulfilled life. A little Spark is an imaginative concept bringing together a compelling story with an immersive set of experiences and a call to action to : “Be That Spark
BE THAT SPARK
To Those who need a little Spark, a hand up, a break, a chance – may you find your way and do great things.
And So, The Story Begins……
I was surrounded by storytellers growing up in my little fishing community of Flatrock, Newfoundland. I wanted to learn more about the world, the places, the people they spoke of. When our kids were small, we read the classics to them and I began adding my own stories to the mix. The audience for these stories grew to include a wider circle of kids. I truly enjoyed their reaction (like my own reaction as I listened to my father and grandfather). Every story had a lesson and I felt good about sharing it with my audience.
Over time my audience disappeared as they grew up, but I continued to create my stories and characters mostly for my own enjoyment. Then it happened, about 5 years ago I had this story called “A Little Spark”. I started to make the time to work on it, to write it down and occasionally share it with some folks around me. It evolved to a point a few years later when I decided to pursue it with the same energy and focus I had I given to other aspects of my life.
Over the past few years ago I decided to go all in and with the help of some incredible people, here we are. One of the first things I did was to create my own little company called Zuroam Media. This was important to me because it made things real and provided a focus.
“All in” you say, well, I decided to leave my job as an executive in a large technology company to focus all my time and effort to bring “Spark” to life. There were a number of people, who will remain unnamed, who were “somewhat” surprised (shocked a better word) but they felt my passion and they were intrigued by the story and the vision.
We believe that children’s literature is a powerful force to shape and nurture the minds of tomorrow’s leaders. The combination of a great story, beautiful illustrations, rich characters combined with music can truly engage young minds. It can inspire young audiences in a way that will help them develop critical thinking skills and to…. BE THAT SPARK!
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
