Books published by Bellissima

More than 400 seabirds were treated at the International Bird Rescue's(IBRRC) Northern California bird center after they were caught up in a deadly algae foam along the Pacific Northwest coast. Oregon and Washington wildlife rescue centers were overwhelmed with epidemic numbers of wet, cold, and dying sea birds soiled by an unusual sea slime.When author Penelope Dyan and photographer John D. Weigand arrived at the center in Fairfield, California that afternoon, they had no idea they would be returning to witness a massive bird rescue and would see the tools they were shown and photographed put into action.Bird's heads were covered to ease stress as the volunteers worked on them, and it was clear they would be working through the night just to initially process the birds; and then the next morning they would have to begin washing them! It was a job of massive proportions. It would take weeks, perhaps months to return these birds to their habitats.This is the third book in the Animal Rescue Series, and it is truly a book for the birds! Dyan and Weigand have created a book meant for children that is perfect for your coffee table. Once again, Bellissima publishes a book with a purpose, reminding us that before all the birds fall from the sky, we need to do something to protect our environment. and that we also need to support the many volunteers who work at rescue centers like this one, because we are all a part of creation, and man was (after all) put on this earth to have dominion over its creatures. And that means we must protect them.

Have you ever found a raccoon in your house? Sometimes raccoons just happen, like life. Find out what one little girl does when she finds a raccoon in her house. Raccoons can be very dangerous, so if you happen to see one, you should tell a grown up immediately (in case you are not a grown up) because grown ups usually know what to do about these things!Read the poetry and enjoy the funny illustrations of Penelope Dyan as your child learns the concept of size, and use this book as a starting block to talk to your child about the meaning of bigger and smaller, and the relationships of size. Penelope Dyan, author of 'Surfer Girl,' best teen book at the 2008 New York Book Festival and best teen book at the 2008 Hollywood Book Festival, a former teacher and attorney, really understands kids. She brings all her knowledge and love of children with her as she writes her books, and like all Bellissima Books, her books have a lesson and a purpose.Penelope Dyan is also the cocreator of the Animal Rescue Series and the Comeback Kids Book Series (and more) along with photographer John D. Weigand, books for kids that look great on your coffee table.

Life is a wonder and a joy to behold, and Paula Parton has captured it all with her beautiful artwork as she sees through the eyes of a child, and her own inner child narrates a few questions, a few answers and a few truths.Author of 'The Tic Chronicles' and the Room 17 Book Series, and an artist and musician who is also a teacher, Paula Parton leads us through the wondrous realm of childhood amid colors and sites that will leave you in awe of her amazing talents.Step into the pages of this book and take a walk though childhood like you have never taken. And never forget the wonder that is our world, and that every day is a new beginning.This is another Bellissima Publishing, LLC children's book that you can proudly display on your coffee table, ready to be looked at andenjoyed by adults and children alike.A Sunflower is much more than a sunflower, and a a horn is more than something you can play, and a babe is sometimes not really a babe at all, especially if you consider these things through the eyes of a child, or in this case, through the eyes of our author and artist, PaulaParton who truly sees what children see.

What is Christmas? Christmas is many things; but most of all the birth of Jesus is the real reason for the Christmas season, because it is the day of our dear Savior's birth.Enjoy the photographs of John D, Weigand and the poetry of Penelope Dyan and celebrate all the joys of Christmas and take the time toremember all of your special Christmases past. We did! John D. Weigand is an experienced television engineer and an accomplished photographer who has teamed his skills with Penelope Dyan to create this delightful little book.Penelope Dyan is a former K-teacher, published in 'The Kindergartner,' as well as in 'Instructor Magazine' and in 'Humpty Dumpty' children's magazine. Dyan is the author of 'Surfer Girl,' the winner of best teen book at both the 2008 New York Book Festival and the 2008 Hollywood Book Festival. And 'Surfer Girl' is also recognized by Girls Voices In Literature Database, Miami University, Florida.This is the perfect Christmas gift, and it is the perfect book to read when you just want to feel like Christmas. It is longer than a Christmas card and filled to the brim with Christmas sentiment that will make you "think Christmas" and smile. So go out and face the world head-on with a smile and "think Christmas" no matter what time of the year it is. You may be surprised at the results.

This is the second book of the Animal Rescue Series; and photographer John D. Weigand and writer and poet, Penelope Dyan, continue with Bellissima Publishing, LLC's plan to save the planet one species at a time by making kids and adults aware of the plight of those creatures over which humankind has been given dominion. Their visit to Hawaii's beautiful Hanauma Bay brings home the wonderful work that is being done there in this nature preserve to save the creatures of the sea.Dyan is an award winning author and poet, and Weigand is an experienced television engineer. Both have been widely published in their fields, Weigand in television engineering, and Dyan in teachers' journals, magazines for kids, and in business and law magazines. Penelope Dyan's book, Surfer Girl is recognized by Girls Voices In Literature Database, Miami University, Florida, and was winner of best teen book at both the 2008 New York Book Festival and the 2008 Hollywood Book Festival.

What is a mother to do if she can't find her child's left shoe? Going barefoot is one option, but some occasions simply do not lend themselves to bare feet. Tammy's mother has also learned a very big lesson, to be careful about what she says, because kids take our offhanded comments very seriously, even if we do not.So the mystery is: where is Tammy's left shoe? In fact, where are all of Tammy's left shoes? Does Tammy have a problem with her left foot, or is there another reason all of Tammy's left shoes are missing? Read "Tammy's Left Shoe" and find out for yourself.Penelope Dyan is a former K-12 teacher, published in 'The Kindergartner,' as well as in 'Instructor Magazine' and in 'Humpty Dumpty' children's magazine; and she is an award winning author. And once again, she has put all her expertise, love and knowledge of children to work in this delightful book of poetry and illustrations.Dyan is the author of 'Surfer Girl,' the first book in a teen book series about a girl named Summer who surfs the waves of the ocean and life as she searches for her legacy. "Surfer Girl" was the winner of best teen book at both the 2008 New York Book Festival and the 2008 Hollywood Book Festival and is also recognized by Girls Voices In Literature Database, Miami University, Florida.

Enjoy the illustrations and the poetry of Penelope Dyan and remember when you were a kid and you played and ran like the wind. This is the story of little Kyle who has the stamina and ferocity of a major leaguer when it comes to his very favorite sport, baseball! But Kyle has a brief setback, a setback from which your child can learn that all sports are merely games; and when you play a game you are supposed to have fun! Penelope Dyan is a former K-12 teacher, published in 'The Kindergartner,' as well as in 'Instructor Magazine' and in 'Humpty Dumpty' children's magazine, and is an award winning author, She has put her expertise, love and knowledge of children to work in each of these children's books that serve as supplements to the Penny Mouse Early Reader Series. The books can also stand alone Dyan is the author of 'Surfer Girl,' the first book in a teen book series about a girl named Summer who surfs the waves of the ocean and life as she searches for her legacy. "Surfer Girl" was the winner of best teen book at both the 2008 New York Book Festival and the 2008 Hollywood Book Festival and is also recognized by Girls Voices In Literature Database, Miami University, Florida."For Boys Only"® is a US registered trademark of Bellissima Publishing, LLC.

Mothers are important people, and sometimes kids don't like to listen to their mothers and fathers; but it is very important that they listen, because mothers and fathers do have some important things to say. And you don't want to miss a word.Who you ultimately become and what you do with your life is ultimately up to you, but all of us are given some very special people along the way who have nothing in their hearts but love for you and the desire to help you along on the very exciting journey of your life! And yes! Dreams can come true. All you have to do is work hard and follow what is in your heart, and you can make anything happen. When your mother talks to you about your dreams, take out the earwax and potatoes growing in your ears and listen. And please remember that your dreams are unlimited, so make as many dreams come true as you like and feel free to change them as you go along. Only you can make your dreams.Written and illustrated by award winning author, attorney, and former K-12 teacher, Penelope Dyan, this is a must have book with a great big purpose!

San Francisco is New York with a twist! Full of fun, whimsey and beauty and absolutely great food and sights, San Francisco has something for everyone in the family!Chinatown and Fisherman's wharf are must see places. and they are full of fun surprises for kids. From street performers, to street vendors, to a myriad of treats family style. this is a great locale for any vacation, or even for a weekend getaway!John D. Weigand and Penelope Dyan again combine their efforts to seek out and capture in photographs and words the haunts kids will love best, and remind the reader there is even more for them to see.As you cross the Golden Gate Bridge and notice it is painted orange and not gold, you open up your eyes and realize the title has nothing to do with its color, but rather with the golden gate of adventure and fun San Francisco has to offer.If a picture is truly worth a thousand words, then this little travel book written (especially) for kids that looks great on your coffee table, says it all. So go ahead and climb halfway to the stars with John D. Weigand and Penelope Dyan as they introduce you and your kids to San Francisco, California!!

The burrowing owl(Athene cunicularia)is federally protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act in the U.S. and Mexico, and is listed as endangered, threatened, or as a Species of Concern in nine states, including California, where it is considered a Species of Special Concern by the California Department of Fish and Game. No one is supposed to do anything that could destroy a burrow. You must not cover a burrow with dirt, because you could kill an owl inside of it. The Burrowing Owls¿ population is declining. Nesting sites are being lost to development. Unlike birds that nest in trees, the Burrowing Owl is dependent on ground burrows dug by other animals, such as the ground squirrel, as you will see in this book. It is how all things work together for good. The Burrowing Owl is most active during the day. And kids can easily watch them interact with the environment, unless they frighten the owls away. This lends itself to a great educational experience for them. The author and photographer of this book traveled to Antioch, California, near San Francisco, to capture pictures of them in a habitat that is being encroached upon by development. Yet, in spite of this, the burrowing owl has continued to survive; and it is the hope of the author and photographer they will continue to do so. The Burrowing Owl is very small, only about 7 1/2 - 10 inches tall. It has a a wingspan of about 21 - 24 inches, and weighs only 4 1/2 - 9 ounces. The male is slightly heavier and has a longer wingspan than the female, unlike in other birds. Burrowing Owls feed on insects and small mammals, and sometimes reptiles and amphibians. They hunt as they walk or run or swoop down from above, and they catch insects as they fly through the air. The greatest threat to burrowing owls is habitat destruction and degradation caused by land development, despite their protected status. The natural life span of the Burrowing Owl is 6-8 years, if not threatened, displaced, removed or killed.Once again, enjoy the photography of John D. Weigand and the poetry of Penelope Dyan, as you see how the borrowing owls made their comeback in Antioch by nesting among abandoned construction. The sad thing is construction was only abandoned because of the downturn in the economy, not to protect the owls; and it is expected to resume. This why it is important to get out the word about these entertaining little creatures before it it too late. Protected species should be just that, protected; and these tiny ¿Comeback Kids¿ do deserve to stay where they are! Everyone needs to learn to live with nature and become one with it, or we will merely put ourselves in peril. This is yet another Bellissima book meant for kids that looks just great on your coffee table, and delivers a great big message, this time about a very little and very important, beneficial bird.

Washington D.C. is our nation's capitol, and it's a very exciting place. Even though we aren't as old as Paris, London or Rome, we definitely have a history to be admired. People come from all over the world to visit our nation's capitol, and the reasons are many.Known as the city of trees, Washington D.C. has trees from every state, and trees from many countries. You can see embassies from other countries, the Whitehouse, Capitol Hill and more. And while you are there, everyone is telling you about their city; and there is so much you and your kids can learn.Don't waste your vacation time with your children. Feed their minds, their souls and their imaginations. Use this book as an introduction to D.C. and give your child an advance peek at what is ahead, use this book to talk about your trip, or use it as another learning resource and a step-off point for discussion. Let your children know how much fun learning really is!Enjoy the poetry of award winning author and former teacher and attorney, Penelope Dyan, and the wonderful photography of John D, Weigand, and have fun with yet another book from Bellissima meant for kids that looks perfect on your coffee table!

This is the story of Snagatooth, who is commonly known as the tooth fairy. It was written because losing a tooth can be a very scary thing, and that is exactly why the tooth fairy comes and takes away lost teeth and leaves the toothless a treasure.Read all about Snagtooth and then be sure to appropriately place your lost teeth under your pillow, because Snagatooth is a parent approved and certified stranger and has been around for years, and is therefore really not a stranger at all.But please do not remove your teeth solely for the purpose of treasure collection, because all good things do happen in their own time and removing a tooth prematurely can hurt.A former K-12 teacher, published in 'The Kindergartner,' as well as in 'Instructor Magazine' and in 'Humpty Dumpty' children's magazine, and an award winning author, Penelope Dyan has put her expertise, love and knowledge of children to work in each of these children's books that serve as supplements to the Penny Mouse Early Reader Series.Dyan is also the author of 'Surfer Girl,' the first book in a teen book series about a girl named Summer who surfs the waves of the ocean and life as she searches for her legacy. "Surfer Girl" was the winner of best teen book at both the 2008 New York Book Festival and the 2008 Hollywood Book Festival and is also recognized by Girls Voices In Literature Database, Miami University, Florida.

Everyone gets older and we all have aches and pains as we age, but there are those who see us age with different eyes. The little girl in our story notices people are saying her great grandma is getting old, just as the title of this book suggests. However, our heroine only sees the beauty and wisdom her great grandmother has to offer. She sees her great grandmother's beautiful eyes, loves going for walks with her, and is fascinated by the fact her great grandmother stays awake all night and decides if she didn't have to go to school, she would do the very same thing!We all should cherish our parents, grandparents and great grandparents. And we should also cherish ourselves and enjoy every single minute of our lives. This is a very good book to read to that young child who begins to notice loved ones are changing and getting old. It reminds us we can be beautiful at any age and that indeed we are beautiful every day of our lives. Just ask any child! Written by award winning author, Penelope Dyan, from the prospective of a child, this is the perfect gift for grandma, great grandma, your grandchild, great grandchild, son or daughter, to start the dialog moving.

Paula Parton shares her vision of Christmas with us with her wonderful poetry and artwork, reminding us what it means to be a family and what it really means to celebrate Christmas. So open this book and take a look! Take a peek into the author's world and see the love inside of it. Ask yourself what Christmas means to you and whether you have let its true meaning get away from you. And if it has, there is no time like the present to bring back its important meaning to you. Because Christmas is the best gift ever, and the best holiday of them all! Remember the star over Bethlehem, and the promise God gave us when Jesus Christ was born. You will enjoy this book as much as your child will, a book that is sure to be a classic, and a family Christmas favorite. This is a perfect Christmas gift for someone you love. Paula Parton is the author of "The Tic Chronicles," the Room 17, Where History Comes Alive Series, "Room 17 Writes," and I Always Wondered." She is a recently retired teacher and a grandmother, a musician and an extremely talented artist. And the best thing about Paula Parton is that she really loves kids, and like all Bellissima Books, Paula Parton books have a message, and the message in this book one is all about love and family.

Mount Vernon was the home of the first President of the United States, George Washington. It is located on the banks of (and looks down upon) the Potomac River. Mount Vernon was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1960 and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. When Augustine Washington owned the estate, it was known as Little Hunting Creek Plantation. Lawrence Washington, George's older half-brother, inherited the estate and changed the name to Mount Vernon in honor of Vice Admiral Edward Vernon, Lawrence's commanding officer in the British Navy. When George Washington inherited Mount Vernon he kept the name. But the M ount Vernon is hardly the same property he inherited, from his brother, because he expanded the house and made it his own. This is why it is truly the house that George built!Once again Penelope Dyan and John D. Weigand have combined efforts to create a book for kids that is fun and educational and looks great on your coffee table. Dyan has taken her talents as a former teacher and put them to work in her own very special way, The photography of John D. Weigand hits the mark again with his unqiue available light only photographs

Music is the 'staff' of life. People say music can soothe the soul of the savage beast, and maybe that is true. The author of this book certainly believes it is!Based on Penelope Dyan's own family when she was growing up, Dyan continues the celebration of music she experienced as a child. Even if you don't have a gift of music, you have music in your soul just waiting to come out, and this book explores this concept. If you think music isn't inside of everyone, just look at a baby naturally bouncing to the rhythm of a song; and you will see that you are wrong.Put yourself into your child's head and get out the pots and pans and the kazoos; make some hats out of newspaper and have a parade. There is more to life than video games and television, so make life exciting, and awaken the spirit of music within both you and your child. Music develops the brain as well as artistic senses. Penelope Dyan is an award winning author. She is an attorney and former teacher and has been widely published in professional publications in both fields. She wrote music to teach her kindergartners to speak Spanish, and it was published in Instructor Magazine, a national teacher resource magazine. Dyan will tell you when she grew up she thought everyone could automatically read music and was surprised to finds out she was wrong, but you don't have to be able to read music to love music and to dance and sing.

Ohau, Hawaii is a great place to visit! Walk the beach of Waikiki, swim in the ocean, see a movie on the beach! You can do it all. 'Hangin' Loose' is the style, so put yourself on Hawaiian time and have fun in the sun!This is a new kind of picture book for kids, a kid's special guide to a very special place, and like all the Penelope Dyan and John D. Weigand collaborations a book meant for kids that will look great on your coffee table. Told in the simplest form and in a fun way, Dyan sees with the eyes of a child; and she will introduce you to a myriad of things to do when you are in Oahu in a very noncommercial way. (That is, it will not cost an arm and a leg to please the children and have some real family fun when on vacation.)Anyone can do a book about the ordinary, the tourist traps, a boring book filled with places and facts. This is a book filled with the spirit of Aloha, a book you do not want to miss. Enjoy the simple (written for kids) poetry of award winning author, Penelope Dyan, and the beautiful color photographs of John D. Weigand. Find out what fun really is and see the real Oahu, Hawaii! Mahalo!

Lying is never a good thing. But even if you have lied about something, you can always correct that by simply telling the truth. The most important thing a person can do it to take responsibility when they do something wrong. Let the angel on your shoulder guide you, and not the devil sitting on the other side.What does our hero do, and why does he try to hide what he has done? What happens when he finally tells the truth? How do you feel when you tell a lie? Do you take responsibility for things you do, even when those things are wrong things?This is a book for both boys and girls, because girls can do bad things too; and yes, even girls lie. Sometimes moms and dads know you are lying, and sometimes they don't. But the important thing to really remember is that the truth is much easier to remember than a series of lies. And the truth WILL set you free.Penelope Dyan is an attorney, a writer and a former teacher who really understands and loves kids. Her book 'Surfer Girl' is recognized by the Girls Voices In Literature Database, and was the winner of best teen book at both the 2008 New York Book Festival and the 2008 Hollywood Book Festival. On the Australian Pukeke top 10 list of books for early teen readers 'Surfer Girl' by Penelope Dyan is rated at number 5. And her book "A Book For Girls About Being A Girl" is rated 3 on the Pukeke top 10 list of poetry books for children ages 5-9, proving once again that you can't go wrong with a Bellissima book!

Do you have a favorite color? Maybe your favorite color is blue like the sky,or green like the leaves on the trees in spring? Perhaps you simply love the color yellow?Pink Patti Pinkerton absolutely loves the color pink. She wants everything to be pink, if she can help it. Find out why she doesn't understand why her mother doesn't always wear pink, and why Pink Patti Pinkerton thinks her mother SHOULD always wear pink.Talk about colors, and ask yourself why you like your favorite color. Enjoy the fun illustrations and poetry of Penelope Dyan; and if you don't have a favorite color, experiment and mix things up when it comes to color. Combine color and texture in your life and just enjoy the world around you. Life is colorful.Penelope Dyan, author of 'Surfer Girl,' best teen book at the 2008 New York Book Festival and best teen book at the 2008 Hollywood Book Festival, a former teacher and attorney, really understands kids. She brings all her knowledge and love of children with her as she writes her books, and like all Bellissima books, her books have a lesson and a purpose.Have fun reading another Bellissima family friendly book and remember and never forget that Bellissima loves kids. After all, our children are the future; and investing in our children should be our biggest joy and our most important obligation. And books truly are a mind investment, especially Bellissima books!

Everyone knows they need to recycle, but no one knows this better than 'Eileen Green, The Recycling Queen.' Little Eileen Green likes to recycle everything, but there is one thing (well two things) she absolutely refuses to recycle. Find out what it is that little Eileen Green wants to keep forever and why, as you read this delightful story and enjoy the cleverillustrations of Penelope Dyan.Penelope Dyan has been published in 'Instructor Magazine,' in 'The Kindergartner and in 'Humpty Dumpty Magazine,' and was the winner of best teenage book at both the New York Book Festival and the Hollywood Book Festival for her book, 'Surfer Girl.' 'Surfer Girl' is also recognized by the Girls' Voices In Literature Database, Miami University, Florida.If you like to recycle, and if you want to instill the love andimportance of recycling in your child, then sit down with this little book and smile and laugh and just have some fun with little 'Eileen Green, The Recycling Queen.'

Sometimes you have a dream, and you think you want something more than anything else in the world; and for a brief moment you get lost in the thought of it until you realize everything you really want is where your heart is. And that place is home, because home is where your heart truly resides. Penelope Dyan believes in dreams, the kid of dreams you can make true all by yourself, the kind of dreams seeded in reality and imagination; and this time her little heroine brings that point home with clarity.An award winning author, and a writer who loves all things that have to do with kids, Dyan brings a unique understanding of them into her books.Enjoy the clever and sweet illustrations, and the sweet poetry of Dyan once again as you dive into the depths of the sea and into the depths of your imagination where the mermaids live. And if you are very lucky, and if you look carefully with the eyes of a child, next time you go to the beach you may even see a mermaid sunning upon the rocks.Dyan is the author of 'Surfer Girl," winner of best teen book at both the 2008 New York Book Festival and the 2008 Hollywood Book Festival. 'Surfer Girl' is also recognized by the Girls' Voices In Literature Database, Miami University, Florida. This book is also a great gift for any mother. So say thank-you to your mother by giving her this book and telling her how much you love her.