Bess and Bella

Haas, Irene. Bess and Bella. Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2006. ISBN 1416900136. $14.95. Ages 3-7.

Irene Haas writes a sweet and charming story about a friendship between a young girl, Bess, who wishes greatly for a friend and finds one in a bird named Bella. The adorable pictures of Bess, Bella and many other delightful animals make this story a must for kids. Watercolor illustrations with some pastel make these pictures almost come to life on the page. This is achieved by her use of accents. For example, when Bella comes down from the sky and starts to shake the snow off of herself, Ms. Haas draws the snow into the picture so that it looks like it is swirling and that makes the picture almost come to life in front of your eyes. The childlike text makes this book’s story come alive and does so even more through the words kids know and understand and the few larger words which make the story interesting. Words like “falump” and “babushkas” are words that children do not know, but are entertaining to say and therefore make the story pleasurable for children. These words are used alongside language that children use everyday, which is why the text seems to come alive while being read. Kids will love this book because of its central theme of friendship and make-believe, two concepts all children know and understand.

Sami Gower, BGSU student