Welsh actor and activist, Michael Sheen is set to publish a new children’s book about homelessness, supporting the charity, Shelter. The book entitled, A Home for Spark the Dragon, is co-authored by Jess Webb, with illustrations by acclaimed artist Sarah Massini (Grandpa and the Kingfisher, The Girl and the Mermaid, The Velveteen Rabbit: Gift Edition), and it aims to help children understand homelessness.
“When Spark the dragon wakes up to find a storm has destroyed his cosy nest, he must 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?”
Publishing by Penguin in association with the charity, £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 will go to Shelter whose mission is to help support children and families affected by the UK’s housing emergency.
Shelter’s analysis of the latest statutory homelessness statistics show that 164,040 children are currently homeless and living in temporary accommodation in England. The charity says the figure has increased by 21,650 (15%) in just one year.
Speaking about the new book, Sheen, 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.”
As well as being a renowned actor, Sheen is a passionate social activist. He 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. Sheen also declared himself a not-for-profit actor in 2021, donating any extra money from work to support social projects.
“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,” Sheen adds. “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.”
A Home for Spark the Dragon publishes 5th June 2025.
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