Book Review: A Spark Of Courage By Kevin Callan

When picking up my five year old son tonight after school the first thing he said when hopping in the car was “can we read that funny camping book again?”. Without fail we’ve read a book to him before bedtime for as long as I can remember. The highest form of a compliment that we found a “good one” is when he asks to read the same book again.. and again and this book hit that mark immediately on our first read.

A Spark of Courage is written by Kevin Callan and delightfully illustrated by Cliff McArdle. It’s been two years in the making and worth all the time and care that was put into it. The story follows a young boy who is unenthusiastically heading out on a multi-day camping trip with his uncle. A group of furry forest creatures provide some comic relief while the boy tries to face his anxiety, the elements, and lack of outdoors skills as they head deeper into the backcountry. For every hurtle, Kevin adds a smattering of informative camping knowledge to guide both the reader and the main character. All of this is depicted through Cliff’s outstanding artwork which is just a joy to sit and soak in every detail.

Kevin Callan had to self publish this book as none of the regular publishers that he pitched the idea to thought it would ‘float’. I think we’re lucky to have this fantastic book amongst our son’s book shelf, right alongside other such classics as One Dog Canoe. We think it’s such a good read we’re buying a copy for our local library as well. Be sure to support local and order a copy from your local bookseller, or from Canadian Outdoor Equipment.