Michael Sheen's debut picture book on homelessness published by Puffin and Shelter
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.”
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The book will be published in association with national housing and homelessness charity Shelter. Puffin and Sheen will donate £1 from the sale of each hardback copy and 50p from the sale of each paperback copy of the book in the UK and Ireland to the organisation.
The actor 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. 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.
“For these reasons, I wanted to try to tell a story for young readers about a character who loses their home. Working together with storyteller Jess Webb and illustrator Sarah Massini, I created Spark the dragon, his animal friends, a magical woodland world and a quest to find a new place to call home.”
He added: “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. I’m proud to be publishing Spark’s story in partnership with the charity Shelter, supporting the important work they do to fight the housing emergency.”
Marriott said: “Puffin is honoured to be publishing this special story from dream collaborators Michael Sheen, Jess Webb and Sarah Massini. It’s a breathtakingly beautiful, timeless and important picture book. A Home for Spark the Dragon shows the youngest readers that everyone deserves a home that’s right for them and supports the vital work of Shelter.”
Lauren Thompson, head of corporate partnerships at Shelter, said: “With soaring private rents and a severe shortage of genuinely affordable social housing, thousands of children are being robbed of stability in temporary accommodation, crammed into B&Bs and hostels without any space to sleep, play or do their homework.”
She added: “The funds raised from the sale of the book will ensure that we can continue our fight against the housing emergency and be there for children and families facing the devastation of homelessness.”
Massini, the creator of Bloomsbury’s Diana logo and over 30 picture books, said: “Illustrating this book was such an immense privilege for many reasons, but primarily it was about the other people involved: the wonderful team at iconic publisher Puffin; Michael and Jess’ heartfelt story (as I have Welsh roots, too, Spark could only ever be a red dragon); and most significant is the book’s association with Shelter, and the knowledge that every little pencil-line and brush-stroke was doing something positive and useful.”
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Webb, who is an author and educator based in Wales, said: “This project has been incredibly personal and to have the opportunity to support the work of such a worthy charity as Shelter means so much to me. Working closely with Michael has been a real honour and seeing the wonderfully talented Sarah bring Spark’s woodland world to life has been truly magical.”
Sheen is the honorary president of Wales Council for Voluntary Action, and a patron of numerous British charities, including NSPCC’s Child’s Voice Appeal and Social Enterprise UK. In March 2025, Channel 4 released Michael Sheen’s Secret Million Pound Giveaway; a documentary that follows the actor as he uses his own money to buy £1m of debt belonging to hundreds of people in South Wales.
