Bella and Bird

Welcome back. Today we’re diving into Bella and Bird Explore Sadness by Deana Plaskon Book Tour hosted by The Children’s Book Review. This children’s book is about helping your little one when they are sad. Thank you, The Children’s Book Review, for having us on the tour. 

Bella and Bird Explore Sadness

Bella and Bird 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

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. When Molly leaves the pasture, she’s gained insights, is in control of her feelings, and has tools to take along.

Bella and Bird Explore Sadness provides a foundation for readers to explore, understand, and effectively manage sadness. It serves as an invaluable tool for starting honest conversations about big emotions.

Where Can I Get It? Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org

My Thoughts

I really loved how this story makes room for sadness instead of trying to rush kids past it. Molly’s friendship with Bella and Bird gives her a safe space to talk through feeling left out, struggling with friendships, and those tough “I’m not good enough” moments. Along the way, readers get simple, practical tools for handling big emotions, from breathing to creative outlets and using their words. The gentle illustrations and relatable situations make this one perfect for reading together. A sweet, thoughtful reminder that it’s okay to not be okay sometimes. 

I received a copy of the book for participating in this sponsored blog tour.

About the Author

Tell Me More! Website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn

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.

Giveaway for Bella and Bird

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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, Sadness, and Happiness.

Giveaway entry link: Click Here

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

Bella and Bird Explore Sadness offering coping skills for children

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