Marie Stell’s book about her brother, Christopher, who is on the autistic spectrum, delights and inspires.
Unless we know someone who is on the autistic spectrum, it is hard to really know what life is like for them. We still have far to travel to ensure that people who feel different to their peers can be accepted by others around them. Marie Stell’s book is helping to change those perspectives.
Little Spud is a friendly blue dragon and like no other. He is on the autistic spectrum and sometimes life can be difficult. But then something happens – Little Spud finds how to shine his own light and his life changes. Marie’s lovely rhyming book shows children of all capabilities that they can shine – they just have to believe they have the light within them.
Writer Marie started writing poetry around 6 years ago. Being the full time carer for her younger brother Christopher, she found herself searching for ways in which to enrich Christopher’s life. An inclusive drama group she set up with her brother, created opportunities for people of all abilities to go on stage. This led her to writing “pint sized” pantomime scripts for the actors to perform.
Determined to make a statement about the bullying and disability discrimination she had witnessed towards her brother, Marie decided to turn her poem “Little Spud” into a story to hopefully inspire children of all capabilities and to make them see that they all have the magic to shine inside them – they just have to believe in themselves. The result is the beautiful book that Marie has now published. Not only did she write the text but she also created all the charming illustrations.
Marie is immensely proud of the man Christopher has become and the adversity he has overcome throughout his life. He has shown himself to be a very talented actor and kind hearted soul.
My own experience as a writer and performer has brought me in the past to working and creating with people with learning disabilities. I cannot describe the joy and wonder when those who perhaps feel set apart from the mainstream discover their own unique skills and talents. Confidence and wellbeing increases when we feel accepted, no matter who we are.
Marie’s Little Spud , the dragon who was brave and succeeded, sends a wonderful positive message to anyone, child or adult, who needs to hear the message that ‘magic is alive and it lives inside of YOU!’
Little Spud written and illustrated by Marie Stell is available in paperback for £5.99, and can be purchased online from:
10% from the sale of each copy of Little Spud will be donated to the National Autistic Society.
Little Spud is the first of Marie’s books and she has more books to write. For more information about Marie or Little Spud, please contact Marie at [email protected]
Published by Purple Parrot Publishing – a small, local, independent publisher based in Thornton Cleveleys, Lancashire.
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