博客來＂Sometimes, being different is exactly what’s needed.＂
Dusty the Little Sheepdog is a heart-warming rhyming story about courage, kindness, and belonging. Dusty tries to fit in with the flock, yet nothing feels quite right. When a storm scatters the sheep, he steps up and discovers that the very things that made him feel different are his strengths.
Written in Knaresborough by Yorkshire author and neurodivergent advocate Ian M. Smith, and beautifully illustrated by Charlie Barley, this story helps children see that difference is not a deficit, it is something to celebrate.
Key features
- Warm, inclusive story celebrating neurodiversity and being yourself
- Rhyming text to support early readers and reading confidence
- Ideal for ages 4-8, families, and classrooms
- Supports PSHE and social-emotional learning conversations
- Companion resources available, including classroom packs, songs, and Calm Cards
Early readers say
- ＂Warm, funny, and full of heart.＂
- ＂An instant classroom classic.＂
- ＂The story I wish I’d had when I started teaching.＂
About the author
Ian M. Smith writes from lived experience and professional practice in inclusion. He lives in North Yorkshire and is also the author of Things I Wish I’d Known: A Compassionate Guide to Parenting Neurodivergent Children, with contributions from Laurie Edmans CBE and Barbara Schönhofer MBE.
About the illustrator
Charlie Barley brings Dusty’s world to life with warmth and empathy. Her illustrations reflect the book’s message of courage, creativity, and finding your voice.
