Listen to Dave reciting! You will hear him narrate the text and a description of the illustration. Then a 'beep' will signal you to turn the page. If you have a PENfriend then first connect PENfriend to your computer with USB Cable (available on this site) and tranfer the above .AP4 file to the AP4 folder in the pen. Then anytime you can listen page by page to the text and/or Dave's audio description of the pictures.
Please see Dave talking about this book by clicking here.
Meet Austin, a young boy slowly going blind, and his trusted cane, Zane.
In ‘The Big Test!’ he tackles a tough spelling task and
discovers Braille, boosting his confidence. This inspiring tale
of resilience and friendship shows that with determination,
Austin can achieve anything.
Austin’s Amazing Adventures: The Big Test is a Story of Courage, Resilience, and Inclusion
Introducing an exciting new resource for your students that brings together engaging storytelling and important lessons on inclusion, resilience, and adaptability. The Big Test is a children’s book written by Dave Steele, known globally as The Blind Poet. Dave, who is also a proud father and advocate for the visually impaired, was the guest speaker at the flame lighting ceremony for the Paralympic Games, held at its birthplace in Stoke Mandeville Stadium, Buckinghamshire. His powerful words and personal journey of living with blindness have inspired many, and now he brings these experiences into the world of children's literature.
The story follows Austin, a young boy adapting to gradual sight loss as he learns Braille and prepares for a spelling test with the support of his blind father, his classmates, and his teacher, Miss Tierney. The character of Austin is based on Dave’s own son, creating a deeply personal and relatable narrative. Through this tale, students will learn about courage, friendship, and the power of community in overcoming challenges.
Key Learning Features for Classrooms :
- Insight into visual impairment: Students will gain a better understanding of the difficulties visually impaired children face, such as orienting a picture book the correct way.
- Interactive learning : The book features a page with Braille, allowing sighted children to experience the challenge of learning it just as Austin does.
- Narration by Dave Steele. Every page is narrated by Dave using the PENfriend device. For those without PENfriend, the narration is free on this site. Dave narrates the text and detailed descriptions of the illustrations.
- Discussion prompts : The book concludes with “Talking Points” that can be used by parents, caregivers, and teachers to facilitate meaningful conversations about visual impairment, inclusion, and resilience.
- NaviLens technology: The book’s QR codes have been replaced with NaviLens codes, making it easier for visually impaired readers to access the narrations. -
Customisable engagement: “Sound Spots” on each page allow students to record their own voice for a personalised reading experience.
This story is the first in the Austin’s Amazing Adventures series, which introduces sighted children to the challenges and triumphs of visually impaired individuals in a way that is engaging, educational, and relatable.
About Dave Steele, The Blind Poet Dave Steele lives in Prestwich, UK, and is an award-winning poet, author, and advocate for the visually impaired. As a father of four, Dave brings a personal touch to everything he creates, using his own experiences with vision loss to inspire others. His global mission is to demonstrate that “Disability isn’t an excuse to do less, but a reason to be more.” Dave travels internationally, giving talks, recitals, and sharing his message of resilience. His role as a guest speaker at the Paralympic Games flame lighting ceremony at Stoke Mandeville was a testament to his powerful advocacy.
