When you feel sad, would you like someone to sit beside you and help you process your emotions? Bella and Bird, the beloved emotion explorer duo, are back with more useful information and tools in Bella and Bird Explore Sadness, written by award-winning children's book author Dr. Deana Plaskon, who is also a licensed mental health counselor and equine-assisted therapist. Enter to win a signed copy, or all three books in the series!
My Review:
Inspired by real farm animals and real-life experiences, Bella and Bird Explore Sadness is the second installment in the Bella and Bird Emotion Explorers series. It shares healthy ways to manage sadness through a gentle, heartfelt and soothing story that may easily resonate with young readers struggling to handle their big feelings.
Seeing Molly sitting under a tree alone with a sad face, Bella offers to sit next to her in silence. Bird joins in with a tissue to let Molly wipe her tears. Feeling comforted, Molly opens up to talk about how she feels and what makes her feel that way. Bird shares his secret to feeling lighter, while Bella helps Molly clear her mind and find solutions. With tears turning into smiles, Molly learns a lot about expressing and navigating her emotions.
Bella, the wise, calm horse, and Bird, the humorous, chatty swallow, make a wonderful team of emotion explorers. Both kind and patient, they take thoughtful steps to cheer Molly up. Besides providing company and comfort, they reassure Molly that it's normal to feel sad at times and a good cry can help her feel better. Being honest about her true feelings is healthier than trying to hide them or suppress them. After knowing the cause of Molly's sadness, they encourage her to let out her feelings, change her mindset and explore better alternatives to the status quo.
Along with Molly, young readers learn to recognize, name and understand their emotions. They are informed about different kinds of sadness, simple and fun breathing techniques like feather breathing, as well as healthy emotional outlets like painting or drawing. Further, they are inspired to focus on positive thoughts, embrace emotions as signals for their underlying needs, and solve a problem by addressing its root cause.
The friendly conversations initiated by Bella or Bird with Molly suggest ways parents and educators may approach a youngster who needs guidance for emotion regulation. It's not always easy for adults to fully understand the triggers of a child's emotional responses, but as Bella and Bird demonstrate, they can at least be present, listen, and help untangle complex feelings through communication.
The charming nature-inspired artwork well complements the narrative by vividly depicting adorable animal characters with distinct personalities while expressively capturing the subtle changes in Molly's emotions as she gains knowledge and acquires new skills. Who wouldn't want friends like Bella and Bird to accompany their journey as emotion explorers?
Beautiful, meaningful and educational, Bella and Bird Explore Sadness exemplifies a valuable children's book that teaches emotional intelligence through an uplifting, relatable tale.
About the Book:
Ages: 5–10 | 32 Pages
Publisher: Bella and Bird Books (2026) | ISBN: 979-8987268452
Molly cried. She really cried. When Molly comes into the pasture, gloomy and sad, Bella, the wise horse, and Bird, the wisecracking barn swallow, step in to help. Together, the friends set out to explore why Molly is sad and offer valuable lessons and better ways to cope. By the time Molly leaves the pasture, she's gained new insights, is in better control of her feelings, and has tools to take along with her.
Bella and Bird Explore Sadness provides a foundation for readers to explore, understand, and effectively manage sadness, and serves as an invaluable tool for starting honest conversations about big emotions.
Purchase links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
About the Author:
Deana Plaskon is an award-winning children's author, educator, and licensed mental health professional. Bella isn't just a storybook character — she's Deana's real-life Gypsy Vanner horse, and Bird is inspired by the barn swallows that gather Bella's mane to build their nests.
After Hurricane Ian, Deana saw how deeply children were affected by fear, sadness, uncertainty, and change — an experience that inspired the Bella and Bird Emotion Explorers series, blending engaging stories with practical emotional intelligence tools.
Website: bellabirdbooks.com
Connect: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn
One Grand Prize winner will receive the complete set of the Bella and Bird series, including signed copies of Bella and Bird Explore Anger, Bella and Bird Explore Sadness, and Bella and Bird Explore Happiness!
Five additional winners will each receive a signed copy of Bella and Bird Explore Sadness!
Giveaway ends 9/24. Open to US 18+ only. Please use the image below to access the entry form. Good luck!
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Deana Plaskon. All views and opinions expressed are my own. icefairy's Treasure Chest is not responsible for winner selection or prize fulfillment.
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