Unstoppable Duo!

Listen to Dave reciting! Click on the mp3 link above to hear it on your computer. 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 transfer 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.

You met Austin in The Big Test. Here he is again in his latest adventure, set in a busy school. His sight is fading further and a new boy arrives in a wheelchair. Austin is quick to judge, but what begins as doubt, soon blossoms into a powerful friendship. Together they become the Unstoppable Duo, using their imagination, teamwork, and their hearts to prove that everyone, no matter their challenges, has something extraordinary to share.

Austin’s Amazing Adventures is a series of books promoting 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.

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 Big Test 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 second 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.