Bella and Bean
Sandra Bradley author Udayana Lugo illustrator
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Pajama Press
Published:13th May '25
Currently unavailable, our supplier has not provided us a restock date

- 5,000-copy print run
- Pitch to major review media, including The New York Times, The Horn Book Magazine, Kirkus Reviews, Booklist, Publishers Weekly, and School Library Journal
- Featured at virtual and in-person conferences.
- Targeted marketing to major review centers, influential bloggers, and major library system selectors.
- Promotion on social media, including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.
- E-newsletter promotion.
From the award-winning author of Cocoa Magic comes a story of humor, hope, and heart. Bella and Bean, two small hippos, enjoy spending their days lounging in the mud, but Bella has a big dream, and she is determined to see it come true.
For hippos, becoming big is guaranteed, and Bella and Bean can’t wait! But recently, Bella has started to dream about being something even bigger than big...
Bella and Bean have always enjoyed spending their time in the mud, dreaming of being big one day. But Bella is ready to share a new dream—opening a spa! Despite her friends and neighbors doubts, Bella is sure that with hard work, determination, and a little help, her dream may just come true. Written with humor and heart, Bella and Bean highlight the importance of supporting one another, perseverance, and believing that anything is possible!
Award-winning author of Cocoa Magic, Sandra Bradley, brings humor, thoughtfulness, and charm to the text. While highly acclaimed illustrator, Udayana Lugo, utilizes delightful dimension and depth in her mixed media art.
Praise for Bella and Bean
The Children's Book Council "Hot off the Press" May 2025 Selection
“Little ones with big dreams of their own will be inspired by Bella’s persistence....Bradley’s appended note encouraging them to follow their passions, no matter how far-fetched.”—Kirkus Reviews
“Bella and Bean is especially and unreservedly recommended as a lively, fun, and enduringly popular pick for family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library picture book collections.”—Midwest Book Review
“Bella and Bean would make a wonderful addition to any home or classroom bookshelf, with strong connections to goal-setting, growth mindset, and how perseverance can lead to incredible things. A heartfelt message from the author to young readers at the end of the book is the icing on the cake.”—Canadian Children’s Book News
ISBN: 9781772783377
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown
32 pages