Thursday, January 2, 2014

"The Adventures of Bella & Harry: Let's Visit London...... Edinburgh....... Paris" by Lisa Manzione and illustrated by Kristine Lucco (Review & 3-book Giveaway)

The world is a big place and full of cultural diversity and interesting sights to see. Children need to learn about this wondrous world - the civilizations,  the history, the peoples, the climates, the geography, and the food.  Well, author, Lisa Manzione and illustrator, Kristine Lucco will bring the world to your door step courtesy of Bella and Harry.
About the series:  The Adventures of Bella & Harry is a picture book series that chronicles the escapades of a pup named Bella, her little brother Harry and their family, who travel the world exploring the sights and sounds of new, exciting cities.  The “Bella & Harry” series is intended to be an informative, interactive and exciting way to introduce children to travel, different countries, customs, history and landmarks with the educational value of this book cleverly disguised amidst dozens of illustrated pages which are sure to win the hearts of young readers.

First stop today is LONDON:  The book opens with a jousting event with Knight Harry riding on his beautiful white horse - but that was just a dream. But then the question arises, "..what exactly is jousting?" After pursing that subject, Bella and Harry learn just what London is. And they learn the location of London in England which is located in Great Britain. They then begin a tour of London and see famous sights and enjoy tea and crumpets.


Next stop is EDINBURGH!  They learn that they don't have to go far from London to reach Edinburgh which is located in Scotland - just above England. They see Edinburgh Castle which has been there for hundreds of years. They see the clan plaids that each clan dresses in traditionally. They learn the difference in the United States' government and that of Great Britain which has a King or Queen, and a Parliament that run the country. They see Holyrood Palace which is the official home of the Royal Family while visiting Scotland and that it is hundreds of years old.



 

But there are more places to visit today and next we're going to go to...PARIS:  In  Paris they visit art museums, see the Eiffel Tower, eat French food, and visit the Arc de Triompe. Lots of famous places and things to see in the very large city of Paris. In the back of our book about Paris, there is a section of Fun French Phrases and Words and a section for Bella and Harry's snapshots of Paris.

Each of these books is sturdy and hardcover with thick pages for durability.  They will enhance a home, classroom, school, or library providing the young child with an opportunity to learn in a light-hearted manner about various locations in this wonderful world of ours.

As Chat With Vera's readers already know, I love it when a young child's book is entertaining as well as educational. There is such a dearth of instruction in the schools and text books today, that children are not gaining knowledge of the world in which they live, where countries are located, what country is neighbor to another, what the cultural aspects of the population is, what the land mass is, and if it is dissected by rivers or surrounded by water. It is sad. But there are some books on the market that you can use to enlighten and bring the world home to your special child. Recently I featured some books that are a great introduction to social studies and cultures.  Then I also reviewed two very large books of maps (or atlas) featuring pictures of the history, peoples, animals, land formations, etc. Chat With Vera wants children to learn about their world.


Now to travel with Bella & Harry ... got your passport?

Each of these books is beautifully printed in bold colors and hardbound. They have a map that positions the city you're visiting.  You learn about the famous buildings, rivers. You see what they eat, what they wear. There are a few words in the back in the language of that city/country with their meaning.  And the illustrations are a real joy. Watch this video and see.....
GIVEAWAY:  This will make a wonderful gift for that special child in your life. Use the Rafflecopter entry form and let's see who can win a living room-travel-set for a child.  All 3 of these books to one winner! Begins January 2  & ENDS January 29 @ 12:01 a.m. ET. Open to USA mainland addresses only.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
About the author & illustrator:  Lisa Manzione, Author - The Bella and Harry series of children's books is Lisa Manzione's first foray into children's fiction writing. As a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), Lisa's entrance into the field of literature is one she has eagerly awaited and is very passionate about.

The series was developed with the hope of inspiring young readers to embrace the world and encourage its exploration. Done through the comedic and informative adventures of Bella and Harry, while traveling through various countries, Lisa hopes to stimulate children's imaginations and foster a thirst for understanding the world in which they live


Kristen Lucco, Illustrator - Born in rural Pennsylvania, Kristine's passion for art began at a young age. This interest in art continued and ultimately led Kristine to study at the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale.


Her talent was quickly recognized as extraordinary by local designers and today, over 20 years later, Kristine's art and designs adorn walls and a myriad of other surfaces all over south Florida.

36 comments:

  1. Yes! We have visited London a couple of times. While visiting Buckingham Palace with our children, the traffic came to a standstill to let the queen's motorcade through! (she didn't wave at us though, lol) It's just a really neat memory to have.

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  2. I have been to London, in the early 80's. We saw Annie onstage, visited the Tower of London and many other sites. We stayed with relatives in a small town outside London so we got to see the rural side as well. I'd love to return someday.

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  3. I have never been to any of those places. The one I'd most like to choose is Edinburgh because my ancestors came from Scotland.

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  4. no never been outside new england

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  5. cant smile hubby was in a car crash dec 23 and he has brain damage all i wanna do is cry hes s mean

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  6. I have never been to any of these places in the books, London, Scotland or Paris, but I would love to see Paris, but I doubt that it will happen, but I can read about it and share my adventures with others in what I read and my granddaughters would love to read these books also.

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  7. http://picketfenceblogs.com/category/mommy?similar=9730 I voted today, just missed entering this, so sorry..

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  8. I've been to many places but never those 3. I don't have much interest in going to Paris but I would love to visit London and especially Edinburgh.

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  9. I went to Paris with an educational tour group when my daughter was in 8th grade. We would love to go back and see the sights on our own...discover some great tucked away little places. My daughter (now 21) has been to Edinburgh and loved it!

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  10. I haven't been anywhere. I would most like to visit Edinburgh, because I'm mostly Scottish.

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  11. jodi frasier/lasherJanuary 3, 2014 at 7:40 PM

    I have never been to any of them but would LOVE to go to Edinburgh because my mom has been there and says it's beautiful. Thanks
    jodi frasier/lasher

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  12. I havent traveled to any of these cities yet! My favorite dream city would be London!

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  13. I have traveled mostly to Eastern Europe and it was amongst the best memories I have made. I always try to take a child of mine or now a grandchild to share the adventure with.

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  14. I have been to London and Edinburgh. Both very exciting cities with so much history. The Tower of London and Buckingham Palace were my favorites in London. The Edinburgh Castle and the bagpipers were my favorite in Edinburgh. Wish I could go back. I even ate Haggis in Edinburgh. Interesting!

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  15. I've traveled to Paris when I was in high school on a school trip. I just wish I had appreciated it more at the time. I would love to go back!

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  16. I've never traveled to any of these cities and would love to see Paris.
    Thanks for the chance.

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  17. I have not but sure would love to!

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  18. I haven't been to any of these countries.

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  19. I have never traveled to any of the cities these books are about, but I would love to go to Paris.

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  20. Hi! I have not been to those countries. Well, I was in France once in high school but only for one performance in a church, in and out. :) I would like to visit London, very much. Thanks for the great giveaway. Hopping over from Booknificent Thursday. Have a blessed rest of the week!

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  21. I havent been to any of these cities but my husband has been to Paris on business and that is my dream city to visit. I loved looking at all his pictures!
    marypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com
    Merry

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  22. We read the one in Italy and loved it :) Thanks for sharing on Kid Lit Blog Hop!
    -Reshama @ Stackingbooks

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  23. I have never been to any of them. I think I would love London and have always wanted to go. I want to have a real High Tea and see the Big Ben.

    wendishifflette at yahoo dot com

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  24. Never been to any of them but Scotland would be my dream country to visit.

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  25. I would have loved a book like this as a kid! Thanks for sharing on the Kid Lit Blog Hop. Cheryl, Hop Hostess

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  26. no I haven't but would love to visit Edinburgh wilcarvic
    [at]gmail[dot[com]]

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  27. I haven't traveled to any of these cities but would love to visit EDINBURGH!

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  28. Those books seem amazing. I wish they had been around when my children were younger. Now I would share them with my adorable niece.

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  29. I have never visited any of these places but would love to visit london . Thanks for the chance!

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  30. I haven't and I really want to visit London.
    heather hgtempaddy@hotmail.com

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  31. I haven't been to any of these places, but I would really love to visit London.

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  32. Never visited... would love to

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  33. I've never been to any of those places. I'd most like to visit Paris.

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  34. tiffany courtright (courtright1985@yahoo.com)January 28, 2014 at 12:18 AM

    I have not been to any of those cities.

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  35. Ive never been, but I'd love to go to Paris

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  36. Never been to, but would love to visit London or Paris!

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