Books published by Bellissima Publishing

It's lots of fun to visit the place where a famous writer lived, to walk the cobblestone streets and to imagine what a place was really like long ago. Where does imagination begin? Does it begin with inspiration? Just about every kid is familiar with the work of the famous Hans Christian Andersen, and Hans Christian Andersen was once a kid just like you! (And he was born in Odense, Denmark.)Written by the award winning author, attorney and former teacher, Penelope Dyan, this 'learn to read' book, with its word recognition, word repetition and rhyme is filled with the wonderful photographs of John D. Weigand,Take a journey through Odense, Denmark with Penelope Dyan and John D. Weigand, and see where your imagination will take you! Think like Hans Christian Andersen and fashion a story of your very own. All you need to do is imagine it!Then, for even more inspiration, look for the free music video that goes with this book! You'll find it on the Bellissimavideo YouTube channel! Most of all, have fun learning; because if learning is fun, you will love learning!

The idea of truth and of telling the truth is a very big and very important idea, but even more perplexing is why people lie to themselves and others about others and about whom they are. That said, in this book, the award winning author, attorney and former teacher, Penelope Dyan explores the idea of truth, or rather of being true to oneself and others. To paraphrase the great William Shakespeare, who first said 'to thine own self be true . . . ,' if you are true to yourself, then you are as the night that follows day and can tell no false thing to any man. And this should be the standard, because even what you think are good ends are never justified by bad means. Use this little book with extra large print and the kid-friendly drawings to practice reading skills through word recognition, word repetition and rhyme and also to explore the concept of this very important subject. Penelope Dyan believes learning should be fun and if kids have fun learning, they will love to learn. Use this book along with Penelope Dyan's other 'learn to read' books, and try using the words inside these books to make books of your very own! Then to further enhance the learning process and for even more fun, there is a free music video that goes along with this book on the Bellissimavideo YouTube channel.

It is time to move over Mr. Santa Claus, because the Christmas Flamingo is coming to town! No more reindeer's paws and sleighs, because this Christmas Flamingo works all on his own! Have fun reading all about a funny and very different kind of Christmas, as you again practice reading skillls with yet another Penelope Dyan 'learn to read book.' Word recognition, rhyme, and familiar phrases and words help you to guess what is coming next and to build reading vocabulary. The book's size, and kid-friendlyillustrations, along with its large print, are perfect for little hands and eyes, and it can be easily carried in a child's backpack.Written by Penelope Dyan, an award winning author, attorney and former teacher, these tried and true classroom techniques are sure to delight the young reader, and/or the 'read to' child. There is a free music video that goes along with this book on the Bellissimavideo YouTube Channel that will further enhance the fun of the learning process. So celebrate and rejoice, because the Christmas Flamingo is coming! Share the love, because God is love, and so is Christmas! Most of all, have a very Merry Flamingo Christmas!

The Seattle area had been inhabited by Native Americans for at least 4,000 years before the first permanent non-native settlers, Arthur A. Denny and the Denny Party, who arrived at Alki Point on November 13, 1851. The settlement was subsequently moved to its current site and named "Seattle" in 1853, after Chief Si'ahl of the local Duwamish and Suquamish tribes. Logging was its first major industry, but by the late 19th century the city and become a commercial and shipbuilding center. Seattle was also a 'Gateway to Alaska' during the great Klondike Gold Rush. Skipping ahead, Seattle again became the focus of attention with the Seattle World's Fair in 1962, which is when the famous Seattle Space Needle became a part of the Seattle skyline.Enjoy this kid sized book with extra large print as you see some of the city of Seattle on a clear and sunny day with award winning author, attorney and former teacher,Penelope Dyan and John D. Weigand, photographer extraordinaire. ractice reading skills through word recognition, repetition and rhyme and see some things kids like to see (not necessarily adults) as you have fun learning and seeing some things that are new. Look for the free music video titled "Smile Seattle!" on the Bellissimavideo YouTube channel for even more learning fun!

Everyone loves 'Good Luck Chuck,' but it has nothing to do with his luck. Read this book by the award winning author, attorney and former teacher, Penelope Dyan, and find out what 'Good Luck Chuck' had that was even better than good luck as you practice reading skills through her tried and true classroom techniques of word repetition, and rhyme. and laugh and enjoy Dyan's kid friendly drawings that make reading and learning so much fun!Dyan believes all learning should be fun; and to take that concept further, she believes if you are having fun learning you will love to learn. This is why she makes it point to add a bundle of fun to al her early reader books for kids,Dyan has been published in Instructor Magazine, the magazine that teachers teachers how to teach, and two of her kids' books are on display at the Saison Poetry library, UK. She has also been published in 'Humpty Dumpty Magazine' and more. And to make this learning experience even more fun look for the Bellissima music video that goes along with this book on the Bellissimavideo YouTube Channel.

This is a book about good old fashioned values, or at least it is meant to open the discussion about what good old fashioned values are. And if we are to survive as a society, we need to reset our values. We need to reboot our lives to get back to center and remember what the important things in life really are!This book is written by award winning author, attorney and former teacher, Penelope Dyan, who is out to save the world one book at a time; and this book is meant to enhance a child's beginning reading skills though repetition, word recognition and rhyme, as it presents a very real, very important concept. Dyan believes life is like a dream, and like all good dreams, lifeis sweet. If kids are happy with life, then they will grow up to be happy adults. According to Dyan, the key is to accept each day as a gift, and to take joy in each and every day of your life. When you're a kid, you don't need much to be happy, just a smile and a hug! Look for the music video that goes along with this book on the Bellissimavideo YouTube Channel.

Across the Coronado Bridge from San Diego is the sleepy, step back into the past, small town or Coronado. The locals say they are Islanders, even though they live on a peninsula; and a bicycle is a common mode of transportation for many of the locals. You can find everything you need here, and locals never like to leave their "Island" even though they are actually connected by a land bridge on the far side that takes them down the Silver Strand Beach to what is called the South Bay area. Naturally, this is a great place for kids, with lots of fun shopping, as well as great restaurants, parks and beaches, not to mention the world famous Hotel Del Coronado where Marilyn Monroe shot the movie, "Some Like It Hot!" with Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis, a movie some parents may remember as a piece of Hollywood history! And the magic of Hollywood (by the way) is just up the coast of California, .past Disneyland, and not too far from Coronado!Written by award winning author, attorney and former teacher, Penelope Dyan, with rhyme and word recognition techniques, kids and practice reading skills as they learn about this great place. There is also a fun music video on the Bellissimavideo YouTube Channel that goes along with this book. This is a book for kids that has an educational purpose and that will look great on your coffee table!

Do you like to go outside and play in the mud? Do you enjoy running in the rain and letting your imagination run wild with you? And how do you feel about umbrellas? Perhaps you would rather just get wet.Ask yourself these questions and others as you read this book filled with kid friendly drawings and as you increase your reading vocabulary by practicing your reading skills through the process of word recognition, repetition, and rhyme. Elementary school reading primers are great, but sometimes it is just fun to have something you can read that isn't a part of what you happen to do in school; and award winning author, attorney, and former teacher, Penelope Dyan, knows just how to do this in a very fun way. To make things even more interesting, this is a "For Boys Only®" book, a registered book series title that is meant just for boys, because boys should have something that just speaks to them, even though girls may find themselves wanting to read these books too! Look for the music video on the Bellissimavideo YouTube Channel that goes along with this book, and remember to have fun learning all you can, because learning really is fun! Just ask Penelope Dyan!

Santa Cruz, California is an extremely fun place to visit. There are miles of Sandy Beaches, a roller coaster that seems to go up and down and on and on forever, bicycles you can ride, a long wharf with shopping and restaurants where it only costs a buck to park for 4 hours, the wonderful Seymour Marine Discovery Center, and more--This list doesn't even include the University of California at Santa Cruz! Of course, this beach town is close to Monterey, and part of Santa Cruz faces the Monterey Bay where (in Monterey, California) you can visit the great Monterey Bay Aquarium and see sea otters. Just up in the mountains you can visit and ride the Roaring Camp Railroad where you can take a ride on train driven by an 1800's steam locomotive and see a part of the great redwood forest, which is also the subject of another Bellissima book, 'The Comeback Kids, Book 12, The Redwood Forest.' If you are noticing a theme of fun and learning at Bellissima Publishing, LLC, then you are quite correct!Written by award winning author, attorney and former teacher, Penelope Dyan, with Photographs by John D. Weigand, this book is meant strictly for kids. This book is what kids love to do and see, and about what catches the eyes of a child. Use this book in conjunction with the other Bellissima tools, such as the music video on the Bellissimavideo YouTube channel.

There is a grand abbey above the town of Melk, Austria. It was founded in 1089 when Leopold II, Margrave of Austria gave one of his castles to Benedictine monks from Lambach Abbey. A monastic school, called the Stiftsgymnasium Melk, was founded way back in in the 12th century. The monastery library became known for its extensive manuscript collection. The monastery¿s scriptorium was a major site for production of manuscripts, and you can see manuscripts written by hand. In the 15th century the abbey became the center of the Melk Reform movement. You cannot photograph the library, but rest assured it is an amazing place, especially if you love books!Take a brief look at this abbey through the lens of John D. Weigand, and the verse of award winning author, attorney and former teacher, Penelope Dyan. This is a picture book meant for young children that looks great on your coffee table and teaches children about a place past that stands glorious today.A child remembers only what catches the eye, or what he or she feels inspired by seeing. This is a place that captures both the imagination as well as the eye!

Sometimes people don't like you for no reason at all. It isn't your fault, and you have done nothing wrong; but it still doesn't feel good. This is yet another book by award winning author, attorney and former teacher, Penelope Dyan, written just to remind you that you ARE okay; and that no matter what, you need to be who you are and follow your dreams. Read this book along with Dyan's book, "Woolly Bully," and get a complete picture of what Dyan is saying. Dyan believes self esteem is very important to everyone, and 'especially to a child, who should (of course) behave; but other than that, should be accepted just for whom she or he is. The reason? We all need to grow up to be who we are meant to be.Dyan again mixes serious thought with humor and kid-friendlydrawings and easy reader vocabulary so a kid can make this book his or her own. Rhyme and picture recognition, along with repetition, allow the child to guess and shout aloud what comes next, further drawing the child into the thoughts in the book and the learning experience. Look for the free music video on the YouTube Bellissimavideo Channel to further enhance the learning experience!

Bullying isn't good or fun, not for the person doing the bullying or for the person on the receiving end of the bullying. Both sides of this issue are explored by award winning author, attorney and former teacher, Penelope Dyan, who believes any unkindness is fundamentally cruel as well as dangerous.You do not have to believe in the Bible to believe in the golden Rule, and if we all followed the Golden Rule, the world would be a much better place!However, this little book is about something more; and it asks children to think about both sides of this issue. What does that mean? Well, you will have to read this funny book with its words that rhyme and kid-friendly familiar characters and words kids may recognize from their Dolch Reading Word Lists. Of course there is more in this book, and the purpose of this book is more than that; but when all is said and done, this book is also meant to stir the imagination and to be just plain fun!Look for the video that goes along with this book on the YouTube Bellissimavideo Channel, and further enhance the discussion as well as the learning process.

William Frederick "Buffalo Bill" Cody (February 26, 1846 - January 10, 1917) was an American soldier, bison hunter and showman. He was born in the Iowa Territory (now the U.S. state of Iowa), in the town of Le Claire. He lived in Canada before moving with his family to the Kansas Territory. Buffalo Bill received the Medal of Honor in 1872 for his service in the US Army as a scout. He was one of the most colorful and inspirational people of the America's Old West; and he became famous for the many wild west shows he organized and in which he performed for over thirty years. He toured Great Britain, Europe and the United States, and in the town of Cody (named after him) he built the famous Irma Hotel, where you can go and stay when you visit the town of Cody on your way to the Yellowstone National Park!Award winning author, attorney and former teacher Penelope Dyan and photographer John D, Weigand, show you a small part of this grand little town that still captures the unique flavor of the old west as it entertains and delights kids of all ages. If you are a kid, or a kid at heart, this is the place for you! Feel the old west all around you, and let your imagination go wild. Then learn all you can about the old west, and the native Americans who lived off the land and treasured it, and do your best to understand it all and to continue in the preservation of America's treasures.Rhyme and repetition enhance reading skills as adults encourage young bedding readers to guess what words are coming next in the rhyme. Open a dialog about the old west, and see through the eyes of a child. Learning isn't always about museums and words on a page. What you learn through experience and your own imagination, is what you keep with you forever.

Yellowstone National Park was duly established by the United States Congress and President Ulysses S. Grant on March 1, 1872. It is a national park located primarily in the U.S. state of Wyoming, although it also extends into Montana and Idaho. Yellowstone, the first national park in the world, is known for its wildlife and its many active geothermal features, especially the Old Faithful Geyser.This book is a kid's look at Yellowstone National Park. And like award winning author, attorney and former teacher, Penelope Dyan, and photographer John D. Weigand, you may be surprised at what you see. The earth and the sky are alive, singing with the water and the trees and the land.This is a different kind of kid's picture book, and like all of the Dyan/Weigand kids' travel books, they are meant to be carried in hand as adult counterparts carry their own travel guides. The verse is meant to teach learning concepts as it increases basic reading vocabulary skills through repetition and rhyme, Most of all, this book is meant to prepare the littlest of the travelers before they begin that big trip!

Award winning author, attorney and former teacher, Penelope Dyan, broaches a very big subject about getting along with one another; and with that subject comes one very big word, and that word is "compromise." What does it mean to compromise? Dyan won't tell you because you need to figure this out for yourself. Learning to compromise is a part of growing up to be an adult; and it would seem some people never learn the meaning of this word, or at least how to implement it. This story is not about that. Dyan wants her readers to contemplate the deeper meanings of things, and as a former teacher, she believes it is never to early to begin thinking about very big things. Moms and dads can help by opening the discussion.In the meantime, some familiar characters appear in this book, and there are words that rhyme so you can guess exactly what is coming next, and words upon which young readers can begin enhancing their reading vocabularies. Make this book your own and write in all the blank spaces you can find, and copy the simple drawings all you want; because this is also how you learn. Look for the very fun video that goes along with this book, "We Can Work It Out," on the Bellissimavideo YouTube channel, and have even more fun with learning!

For a really fun time take a trip to Solvang, California. John D. Weigand and Penelope Dyan take you to this fun and magical place that looks like it was plucked right out of denmark and deposited in the Santa Ynez Valley near the California coast! Foundedv in 1911 by a group of Danish settlers, far from the cold Midwestern states, it is easy to see why this statement is true. Windmills, thatched roofs, and Danish style archetecture abounds. You can even visit a Hans Christian Andersen mueum and see so much more in the way of Danish archetecture and art. The people are friendly, and the food is good, and it is a great stop on your way up and down the California coast because you can stop and buy some Danish pastry and enjoy some great food!Follow the award winning author, attorney and former teacher, Penelope Dyan, and our photographer extraordinaire, John D. Weigand, as they travel California coast, and wherever else they may go, and use this book and the other books they have created as one more learning source for young kids! Also look for all the videos that go along with these all these books (and more) on the Bellissima Publishing, LLC YouTube channel, Bellissimavideo. (Or you can type Penelope Dyan at the YouTube prompt.)

Everyone has a special light inside of them, and you have a special light inside of you as well. Please do not let anyone convince you otherwise. go outside and run and play, and have fun because no matter how old you get, you will keep the child inside and you don't want to forget who that is, because that is you.While you explore the pages of this extra large print book, practice your reading skills. Then see if you and make a book all of your own about who you are! Think very carefully about this, and then pick up your pencil and paper and your colored markers and just begin!Penelope Dyan is an award winning author, an attorney, and a former teacher, and she uses her very own tried and true methods of teaching in each and every one of her books. Most importantly, Dyan is about feeling good about yourself and about being true to who you are; and her books do much more than reinforce reading skills. So have fun, learn and experience with Penelope Dyan who is a firm believer that everything about childhood should be fun!

Who was the very first man on earth? Why, it was Adam, of course! And Adam was created out of nothing but dust and lived in a wonderful garden called Eden. What do you think Eden was like? Can you draw a picture of what you think it might have been like? Well, this is exactly what award winning writer, former teacher, attorney and poet Penelope Dyan did! She drew a whole bunch of pictures about what she thought (in her head) Eden was like! Adam was lonely, and do you know why? He had lots of animals in the garden of Eden, and he gave them all names, and they were very nice animals; but he wanted something more. Find out what God did for Adam next, just because Adam was alone and sad. Read this book and experience the love of God through this faith based book, and imagine what it was like when the earth was first created. Follow the new faith based line of books created by this award winning writer and poet and laugh and learn and practice some of your reading skills as you recognize a cast of familiar Dyan characters. Most of all, please remember this: God is love, and you can't go wrong with love!

What is a helping hand? Do you know where to find a helping hand? You might be surprised at the answer! Read this fun book and find out about helping hands. Ask yourself if helping hands are really happy hands. Penelope Dyan is back again to explore a basic truth with her young readers, and the extra large print helps little eyes to better see the words inside this book. Practice some reading skills as Dyan repeats certain words so her readers can see and remember. Try to remember the words you see on one page and use the pictures on the other page to help you put the words and the pictures together! Dyan is an award winning author, an attorney and a former K-12 teacher who wants all children to be successful and to feel good about themselves; because if children feel good about themselves inside, then there will be nothing on the outside that can daunt them. When Dyan was a teacher, one of the other teachers said, "Everything in life isn't fun," to which she replied, "When you are a kid it is!" And this is the reason she writes these books. Dyan believes both reading and learning absolutely need to be fun! And with Penelope Dyan, books they are!

This book is another book written for boys only, with extra large print for the littlest eyes. This book can be used as an introduction to beginning reading. Written and illustrated by former teacher, award winning writer and attorney, Penelope Dyan, with all her humor and fun, this book is sure to make your boy laugh, and those a bit older will smile and even laugh. It is a companion book to Penelope Dyan's "Time To Scrub!" Dyan's famous cast of characters are here, and this time can you guess where they are? See if YOU can guess exactly how they got where they are and make up your own story about what they did when they got out. Where did they all go? Let your imagination soar and draw some funny pictures of your own as you make up your very own story about what happened next. Parents, remember your child is growing and learning, and all they need is a bit of encouragement. Remember learning is FUN, especially with a Penelope Dyan book!