INTRODUCTION
🎙️ “Hello everyone, and welcome to today’s episode! I’m Steve Burgess—educator, tutor, storyteller, and the proud author of the award-winning children’s book, Speller the Feller. Today, I want to take you behind the scenes and share what inspired me to write this book, what it’s all about, what young readers and families can expect, and how this story earned the International Impact Book Award in two categories: Children’s Education and Children’s Inspirational/Educational. I’ll also share who I want to acknowledge, and end with an important call to action. So, let’s dive in!”
SECTION 1 — What Inspired Me to Write Speller the Feller
🎙️ “The inspiration behind Speller the Feller goes back to my 25+ years in the classroom, working with students from every background and ability level. I’ve taught students who struggled with confidence, reading, spelling, phonics, vocabulary, and believing in themselves. I’ve also taught students who just needed someone to see their potential.
Over the years, I noticed a common theme: when children feel seen, supported, and encouraged, they rise. They thrive. They surprise even themselves. That belief—that every child can grow and shine—became the heartbeat of this story.
I wanted to create a character who reflects that journey… a character who reminds children that learning is not about perfection—it’s about persistence. That’s where Speller was born.”
SECTION 2 — What the Book Is About
🎙️ “Speller the Feller follows the journey of a boy named Speller who dreams big but struggles with spelling and reading. He wants to be great, but the challenges he faces shake his confidence. Through encouragement, grit, and guidance, Speller learns that mistakes don’t define him. Instead, they guide him toward improvement. Along the way, he discovers tools, strategies, and truths about learning that help him grow.
The book blends storytelling with educational reinforcement. It teaches reading principles, models resilience, and empowers children to keep going, even when learning gets tough.”
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SECTION 3 — What Readers Can Expect
🎙️ “Children who read this book will see themselves in Speller. They’ll learn about:
- Perseverance and growth mindset
- The power of good study habits
- Building confidence in reading and spelling
- Understanding that success comes from effort—not perfection
- That mistakes are steppingstones, not roadblocks
Parents, teachers, and tutors will appreciate that the book includes educational value baked into the narrative. It’s uplifting. It’s classroom-friendly. And it opens conversations about learning, emotions, and resilience.”
SECTION 4 — Winning the International Impact Book Award (Two Categories!)
🎙️ “One of the greatest honors in my career came when Speller the Feller won the International Impact Book Award in two categories: Children’s Education and Children’s Inspirational/Educational.
Receiving this recognition meant so much to me—not just as an author but as a lifelong educator. It showed that the story’s message resonates. It confirmed that children around the world need encouragement, inspiration, and reminders that they are capable learners. And it proved that the work we do as educators matters—deeply.”
SECTION 5 — Acknowledgements
🎙️ “I want to acknowledge the many people who made Speller the Feller possible.”
- My family, my wife, my parents, and everyone who supported my journey.
- My students—past and present—who inspired the very heart of this book.
- Fellow educators who encouraged me to keep teaching, keep writing, and keep dreaming.
- My editor, illustrator, and the publishing team for bringing Speller to life.
- And finally, every parent, teacher, and child who has picked up this book is the reason it exists.
🎙️ “If you haven’t already, I invite you to get your copy of Speller the Feller. Read it with your children. Use it in the classroom. Share it with students who need a boost of confidence. And if the message resonates with you, please leave a review, recommend it to friends, or donate a copy to a school or library.
Your support helps reach more children who need hope, encouragement, and belief in themselves.
And don’t forget to stay connected with me—Mr. B The Teacher—on social media and through my tutoring and educational services. Together, we can empower young learners everywhere.”
🎙️ “Thank you for joining me on this special episode. Continue to inspire, continue to uplift, and remember: every child can succeed when given the tools, the encouragement, and someone who believes in them. Until the next time, as the African Proverb says, it takes a village to raise a child.
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