Title: Bella and Bird Explore Sadness

Author: Deana Plaskon

Illustrator: Lea Marie Rivotti

Publisher: Bella and Bird Books (2026)

ISBN: 979-8987268452

Age Range: Ages 5–10 (32 pages)

Series: Bella and Bird — Emotion Explorers

Synopsis:

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.

My review

When the opportunity came up to join this book tour, I jumped at the chance! I love books that explore big feelings while also giving young children practical strategies to better understand and manage those emotions.

One of my favorite parts of Bella and Bird Explore Sadness is the relationship between Molly, Bella, and Bird. As a speech-language pathologist, I’m also always looking for natural opportunities to build vocabulary, and this book is filled with them!

There are so many wonderful words and concepts to stop and explore with your child or student. For example, you can talk about what it means to “tend” to your feelings, explore the idea of “foggy thinking,” and use the feelings wheel that Bella learns about to help identify and express different emotions.

I also love the descriptive language used to explain sadness, such as the idea of “feeling heavy.” Descriptions like this can help children make connections between emotions and how those emotions may feel in their bodies.

Beyond identifying and talking about feelings, the book introduces strategies children can actually use, including “feather breathing” and ways to calm their bodies so they can think more clearly.

And if you’d like to extend the learning beyond the book, there are free printables available on the Bella and Bird website, including a printable Emotion Wheel and other activities to support emotional learning. Check out the free printables that the author created on her website here! 

Big feelings, big prizes! Follow along on this virtual book tour and enter to win one of five signed copies of Bella and Bird Explore Sadness by Deana Plaskon.

Feeling extra lucky? One grand prize winner will take home the complete set—signed copies of all three books in the series: Bella and Bird Explore Anger, Bella and Bird Explore Sadness, and Bella and Bird Explore Happiness.

Giveaway entry link: https://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/bella-and-bird-explore-sadness-book-giveaway

Giveaway ends at 11:30 PM MT on September 24, 2026

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

Monday, August 24, 2026 The Children’s Book Review Tour Kick-Off for Bella and Bird Explore Sadness

Tuesday, August 25, 2026 Country Mamas With Kids Book Review of Bella and Bird Explore Sadness

Thursday, August 27, 2026 @nissa_the.bookworm Instagram Post about Bella and Bird Explore Sadness

Friday, August 28, 2026 Deliciously Savvy Book Review of Bella and Bird Explore Sadness

Monday, August 31, 2026 @MaryLanniReads Book Review of Bella and Bird Explore Sadness

Tuesday, September 1, 2026 icefairy’s Treasure Chest Book Review of Bella and Bird Explore Sadness

Wednesday, September 2, 2026 Cover Lover Book Review Book Review of Bella and Bird Explore Sadness

Friday, September 4, 2026 The Starlit Path Book Review of Bella and Bird Explore Sadness

Tuesday, September 8, 2026 One More Exclamation Book Review of Bella and Bird Explore Sadness

Wednesday, September 9, 2026 Kids Little Free Library Instagram Post about Bella and Bird Explore Sadness

Thursday, September 10, 2026 Life Skills 2 Learn Book Review of Bella and Bird Explore Sadness

Friday, September 11, 2026 avainbookland Instagram Post about Bella and Bird Explore Sadness

Monday, September 14, 2026 Lisa’s Reading Book Spotlight on Bella and Bird Explore Sadness

Tuesday, September 15, 2026 Confessions of a Book Addict Book Spotlight on Bella and Bird Explore Sadness

Wednesday, September 16, 2026 My reading getaway Book Review of Bella and Bird Explore Sadness

Thursday, September 17, 2026 Crafty Moms Share Book Review of Bella and Bird Explore Sadness

Friday, September 18, 2026 Q&As with Deborah Kalb Author Interview with Deana Plaskon