Welcome to my blog/website for Bicycle Bell Books!  You'll find a synopsis with sample illustrations for each of my ten childrens books.  Click on the titles above for more of both.  There's a story for every season and feature the themes of friendship, love of people and nature.  

   Summer is officially here!  I love summer, but kids can become bored and ancy, escpecially when the temps are too hot to be outdoors for very long.  That's when reading is a lifesaver activity! Of course, I recommend all of my books before naptime, bedtime, or when quiet time is needed. Browse through the books by scrolling down and/or clicking on a title above for more illustrations and descriptions.  The books are found on Amazon and find hardcopies at the Parkville Coffee Company on Main Street.  The book room is in the back of the shop.   

CITY MARKET!

WooHoo!  It's SUMMER!

     Summer at Kansas City's City Market is a showcase of the bountiful and beautiful produce brought to you by the local growers in the region. Plants and flowers remain abundant, too. The colors of both the flowers and produce will delight the eyes and soul.  The interior shops and eateries are open all week, of course, as are Global Produce and Christina's Produce.  Every season is a special season at the market.  So, come explore all that summer as to offer at the market.  

And, by the way, the City Market Coffee Shop has expanded next door and is called The Murmuration Cafe.  The cafe also has an expanded menu of breakfast and lunch items waiting for you to check out. The interior mural is fantastic!  Not changed are the freshly roasted beans from the San Franciso coffee bean roaster inside.  You can even watch the process in action!  

Come along with Kendal and Sam for their Saturday adventure in the book CITY MARKET!  The story is appropriate for ages 3-7 and celebrates the cultural diversity that makes discovering the world close to home so easy and fun.  

CITY MARKET! is available for purchase in The Coffee Shop and Al-Habashi Mediterranean Market, so look for it as you visit, or click to order from Amazon on the right.

                                    

Singing Lessons

The Cardinals are singing again!

Mama and Papa cardinal have much to teach their little ones in this dear story.  Most important are the singing lessons, which don't come easy for one baby cardinal. You won't think of cardinals in the same way ever again! And, you'll enjoy the lively and humorous illustrations of the cardinal family! 

  

 

THE FANTASTIC FIREFLY NIGHT

Fireflies are flashing for real!  To add to the magic, run, don't walk, to this magical and mysterious story.   You and your child will delight in this wondrous story told by a Grandmother to her granddaughter one warm summer evening.  The luminous illustrations are perfect for this mysterious story and the next best thing to really seeing this magical bug.

To order 'The Fantastic Firefly Night', click the Amazon link to the right.  The book is also carried by Parkville Coffee Company on Main Street, Parkville, Missouri.  (downstairs in the new Author's Room)

To listen to the story with illustrations on youtube, click on the Fantastic Firefly Night heading at the top of this page!  

  

      

 

PINK

 

PINK is the newest of my books for children.  Pink, the main character, must go on a journey to find her rainbow, which leads her into a spectacular world of color.  But when discouragment sets in, help comes to her in a small but powerful way.  In addition, she learns an unexpected valuable life lesson.  Youngsters will love the bold and richly colored illustrations, and of course, the rainbow!  Appropriate for kids ages 3-6.  

Available to order on Amazon and to purchase in the Parkville Coffee Roasting Company on Main Street in Parkville.  Walk to the the back of the shop to the local author's book room to find. 

  

 

Best Friends, The Story of Ginger and Polly

     BEST FRIENDS is the story that started it all; the first of five in the Ginger and Polly series.  Based on true events and real dogs, they provide a model of friendship for all.  Available at The Parkville Coffee Shop on Main Street and also from Amazon; click the link to the right.

Ginger's and Polly's No Ordinary Summer Day 

Best Friends, Ginger and Polly, come to the rescue of a lost toddler turning their usual summer afternoon upside down.  Together they entertain and keep the youngster safe until the frantic mother finds her child, making two new forever friends.  It's funny and touching. Think dogs can't babysit?  Think again! 

Available at Parkville Coffee on Main Street, in the new local Author's Room at the back of the shop.  Also available to order on Amazon; click the link on the right.    

Ginger and Polly Go To The Veterinarian

The time for updating vaccinations in time for school is here. But getting shots is scary, so it's not easy for kids to actually do. Ginger and Polly are afraid of getting their shots, too.  But, with encouragement and understanding, they do it!  Young children will be able to empathize with their anxiety, celebrate their success, and hopefully, be less scared of getting their covid or any vaccination. 

To order from Amazon, click the link to the right.  The complete Ginger and Polly series is available at Parkville Coffee, in the new local author's room in the back of the shop. Grab a coffee and treat and browse the book shelves.  A child will thank you!  

                  

  
 

 

GINGER AND POLLY LEAVE HOME

Ginger and Polly Leave Home

Legendary best friends, Ginger and Polly, sign on to Sam's offer of exploring the neighborhood on a glorious fall day.  Although their expedition begins splendidly, it unravels as the day progresses.  Faced with being hopelessly lost, the dogs have to decide what to do and the night time brings it's own fears and challenges.  Your child will experience the Fun, the Suspense, and the heartwarming Friendship that sees the dogs safely home.  Available in the Author's Room at the Parkville Coffee Roasting Company on Main Street in downtown Parkville, or click the link to the right for the Amazon page.  Preview all the Ginger and Polly stories right here!

GINGER and POLLY and the SNOWY DAY

It's Polly's first snow day and her best friend, Ginger, helps her discover a whole new world!  Youngsters love playing in the snow, but when the playing is over, snuggle up to the snow adventures of Ginger and Polly, which I think they'll love almost as much.  It's not easy to compete with playing in real snow, but reading this story of the dog's friendship in the snow will warm the heart.

Carried by Parkville Coffee on Main Street, in the new local author's room at the back of the shop.  This room as plenty of book shelves to browse, so grab a coffee or tea and treat and go exploring.  To order from Amazon click the link on this website.  Thank you!