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A Way to Honor That Story
The Adventures of Belle Bear follows a cheerful polar bear cub living in the Arctic who has to move to a new home in a new country where everything is different, and she has to make new friends. What was the inspiration for your story?
When I was 9 years old, my family fled the Republic of Georgia after the collapse of the USSR. We were political refugees, ethnically Russian and Armenian in a newly nationalistic country, and had to start over in the U.S. with nothing but suitcases and survival skills. I didn’t speak English. I didn’t really fit in. I had to start over and make friends in a new place. There were no polar bears. And no one wore capes. I drew a lot of my strength and inspiration from my grandmother, my Baba. This book is a way to honor that story and my Baba’s memory.
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
I leaned heavily into the social-emotional aspect of belonging in this book. While the story is about moving to a new place and starting a new school. I think it’s also for every kid who’s ever felt different or out of place. And for every adult who remembers what that felt like. For example, my 7yo daughter is the only left-handed student in her 1st grade class. She told me she felt a little like Belle Bear when she first realized it. But then she remembered that it was okay to be a little different. That it made her special.
What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing?
The most fun (and challenging!) scene in the book by far was the mirror-cape scene. I had the idea in my head for months, when Belle Bear internalized Baba Bear’s nightly affirmations, “I am kind, curious, and brave. I can do anything. I am a Belle Bear,” her new cape would somehow appear. But I wasn’t sure how it would work on the page. Originally, it was going to be a spin or a twirl. But the movement was hard to show in still illustrations. Nathalie, the illustrator, and I spent several weeks perfecting it after the rest of the book was done. It was the literally the last scene we finished. She really brought it to life with Belle Bear’s cape appearing in the mirror before she steps out on the next page wearing it. I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out!
Will this book be the start of a series, or are you working on a different story?
I have BIG plans for Belle Bear. Think of Belle Bear as The Berenstain Bears of this generation with a modern voice and an orange cape. Each book will explore a different challenge kids face today, from family transitions to standing up for themselves, and help them build confidence from the inside out. Belle Bear is just getting started!
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Belle Bear is a spirited polar bear cub who lives in the arctic country of Mount Bearia with her beloved grandma, Baba Bear. Her days are filled with snowy games, cozy bear hugs, and magical moments—all while wearing an orange cape that makes her feel brave.
When Belle Bear and Baba Bear have to leave their home and move to a new country, Belle Bear’s world is turned upside down. There’s no snow, no other polar bears, and certainly no capes. At her new school, Belle Bear struggles to feel like she belongs, and she begins to doubt the very things that once made her feel special. But with a gentle nudge from Baba Bear and a heart full of courage, Belle Bear discovers her self-confidence and begins to make new friends who appreciate her for exactly who she is.
The Adventures of Belle Bear is a heartwarming story about moving to a new place, making new friends, and finding self-confidence in the process.
Belle Bear believes that every child should go to bed with a full belly and a bedtime story.
Through December 31, 2025, 100% of the proceeds from The Adventures of Belle Bear will be donated to Good Shepherd Food Bank, Maine’s largest hunger-relief organization.
The Adventures of Belle Bear
The Adventures of Belle Bear tells the story of a cheerful polar bear cub who lives in snowy Mount Bearia with her loving grandmother, Baba Bear. Life is warm and cozy even in the cold. Then everything changes when they must move far away to sunny Calibearia. Belle Bear struggles with loneliness, new faces, and a school where she feels totally out of place. With Baba Bear’s steady encouragement and a magical new orange cape, she slowly finds her courage, makes friends, and discovers that who she is has always been enough.
This picture book captures that weird mix of excitement and fear that comes with starting over. The writing is simple in the best way. It feels comforting. I loved how Baba Bear’s words repeat like a song. It made me smile every time because it reminded me of the kind of thing a real grandma might say. The gentle rhythm of the book pulled me in. I didn’t expect to feel so moved by a polar bear pep talk, but here we are.
Moving, making friends, trying to fit in. It all felt honest. That moment when Belle Bear loses her cape on the journey felt symbolic in a way that surprised me. When the new cape appears as she speaks those affirmations in the mirror, it feels empowering. The story doesn’t pretend that being brave is easy, and I appreciated that. The artwork in the book is bright, friendly, and the characters are full of personality. Every character looks lively and expressive. The colors are soft but cheerful, which gives the whole book a cozy vibe. Each animal has its own charm. The style overall feels playful and comforting, perfect for a children’s book about friendship and courage.
By the end, I felt genuinely happy for Belle Bear. The book wraps everything up with this sweet feeling of hope, and it left me wishing every kid could hear Baba Bear’s nightly reminder. I’d recommend this book for kids who might be moving, starting a new school, or feeling unsure of themselves. Honestly, it’s also lovely for any child who just needs a confidence boost or a comforting story at bedtime. It’s warm. It’s kind. It’s the sort of book that stays with you.
Pages: 32 | ISBN : 1966786506
LITERARY TITAN 