Forshaw, Louise – The Bell Bookshop

Busy Halloween

Emma — Thu, 04 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Push, pull and slide the scenes to join in the Busy Halloween fun! Carve a pumpkin, put on your costume to go trick or treating, then end the evening at a Halloween party!

Perfect for little trick-or-treaters who like to play as they read, this bright and colourful board book will delight toddlers with gentle rhyming text, easy-to-handle mechanisms and wonderful illustrations by Louise Forshaw, which is part of the popular Busy Book series.

Listen along to an audio recording of this story by scanning the QR code on the back cover.

Discover more celebrations with Busy Christmas, Busy Diwali and Busy Chinese New Year.

Just for kicks

Emma — Thu, 09 May 2024 00:00:00 +0000

All Hoof the Unicorn wants to do is be part of a football team but his club never appreciated his talents and kicked him out. Then he spots an advert for BAD UNITED and he feels a tingling in his hooves. A chance to be part of a team again! A chance to play the game he loves! And a chance to show off his skills?

Hoof is thrilled to find his new teammates are more than up for the challenge. Led by enthusiastic mermaid coach Serena Winmer, the team consists of: Bones, their skeleton captain who sometimes struggles to keep her head; Rex, the ROARsome dinosaur defender; cheetah striker Bolt brings the thunder; Tinkerball dazzles with her magic fairy moves and Annette guards the goal with her life (and eight spider legs). All deemed “not good enough” to play for their teams (who decides what’s “good” anyway?!), BAD UNITED combine strength, skill, speed and stench to show everyone what they’ve got?

The first book in a super and silly graphic novel series, perfect for fans of The Bad Guys and The Nothing to See Here Hotel.

“This funny, text-light story has an uplifting message about inclusivity and how loving a sport is more important than being the best” The Bookseller

“Breathless fun, lots of on-pitch shenanigans and uplifting, inspirational messages about inclusivity make this super-silly action series the perfect choice for your own all-action mischief makers!” Lancashire Post

“With themes of inclusivity, sportsmanship, resilience and acceptance, this graphic novel will appeal to less confident readers. Teachers – if your class likes football it behooves you to read this aloud!” School Reading List

“Mayhem and chaos abound in this comic-style story, aimed at reluctant readers, sporty kids and fantasy fans who will all find common ground in this madcap short read.” Irish Examiner

Busy boats

Emma — Thu, 11 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0000

With lots to see in Busy Boats, young children can have fun as they set sail, pulling and turning the tabs! Enjoy hoisting a sail, catching some tasty fish and even visit a lighthouse.

Little ones will love playing with this bright and colourful board book with gentle rhyming text and wonderful illustrations by Louise Forshaw.

Discover more of the Busy Book series: Busy Garage, Busy Trains, and Busy Bikes.

Busy Swimming

Emma — Thu, 14 Apr 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Push, pull and slide the tabs to enjoy a day of Busy Swimming! Help the children get changed into their swimming costumes, whizz down the water slide and race across the indoor pool.

Young children will love playing with this bright and colourful board book with a gentle rhyme, lots to spot and talk about, and wonderful illustrations by Louise Forshaw, which is part of the Busy Book series. Busy Swimming has been endorsed and recommended by Dr Amanda Gummer’s Good Toy Guide.

Discover more of the Busy Book series: Busy Zoo, Busy Party and Busy Farm.

Busy Halloween

Emma — Thu, 02 Sep 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Children can join in the Halloween fun in Busy Halloween by pushing, pulling and turning the tabs.

Carve a pumpkin, then get dressed up, ready to trick or treat and celebrate at a Halloween party! Children will love playing with this bright and colourful board book with gentle rhyming text and wonderful illustrations by Louise Forshaw.

Discover more of the Busy Book series: Busy Christmas, Busy Easter and Busy Chinese New Year.

Standing Up to Racism

Emma — Thu, 19 Aug 2021 00:00:00 +0000

An introduction to standing up to racism for young children and their families, with flaps to lift

It’s never too early to teach children to be antiracist, and this lift-the-flap book is a great toolkit for young children and their families alike. It is all about recognising and celebrating the differences that make people who they are, and explains in age-appropriate language what racism is and how to help stand up to it.

Find Out About: Racism helps curious preschoolers understand how other children live and the different challenges everyone faces, which is key for developing empathy. With flaps to lift, this is an excellent, interactive book for children and their parents and carers to share together.

A free parent guide to talking about racism with young children is available to download separately.

Also available: Feelings, Kindness, Saving Our Planet, Families, Making Friends

Busy Jungle

Emma — Thu, 22 Jul 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Push, pull and slide the tabs to go on an adventure in the Busy Jungle! Discover sleepy sloths, tigers on the prowl and chattering monkeys as you explore the jungle from top to bottom.

Young children will love playing with this bright and colourful board book with gentle rhyming text, lots to spot and talk about, and wonderful illustrations by Louise Forshaw, which is part of the popular Busy Book series.

Discover more of the Busy Book series: Busy Farm, Busy Zoo, Busy Pets, Busy Vet and Busy Safari.