Stickley, Frances – The Bell Bookshop

All Kinds of Things

Emma — Thu, 02 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

A beautifully illustrated catalogue-style board book that's filled with over 200 everyday things to delight and amaze young readers – with a mirror ending!

Blueberries, strawberries and watermelons are all delicious but how are they connected? They are all fruit! We see fire engines, police cars and diggers when we are out and about. But how are they the same? They are all vehicles!

Using categories and first words, this incredibly beautiful book showcases the wonders of the world and introduces the idea of how connected we all are. Each spread showcases a different group of “things”, including sea creatures, furniture, dinosaurs, toys, food and drink, farm animals, birds and more!

Includes a free Nosy Crow Stories Aloudï¿½ audiobook! Scan the code, hear the story.

The wonderful Frances Stickley and Tim Hopgood have created a book to treasure, one for little ones to pour over and revisit again and again as they dive in and discover all kinds of things!

The Storm Cloud

Emma — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

It’s a wonderfully sunny Spring day but Bear has woken up to find a storm cloud hanging above his head and he just can’t get rid of it. Can his friends help him to find his way through the storm to discover the brightest of rainbows?

A beautiful, life-affirming and hopeful story about sitting with sadness, the power of friendship, and learning that the brightest rainbows always come after a storm.

Capybara Disco Dreams

Emma — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The first in a funny and empowering new picture book series about finding your confidence, starring the Internet’s favourite animal – the capybara.

Everybody STOPS, everybody stares . . . but Capybara’s bopping like they just don’t care! ?

Capybara loves to dance! He rocks, he rumbas and he even Zumbas. But the other animals at the disco think a dancing capybara is simply ridiculous. And the Lemur, the Llama, the Shrew and the Gnu are much too embarrassed to join in . . . Can Capybara show them just how much FUN it is to dance like nobody’s watching? ?

Perfect for fans of Giraffes Can’t Dance, The Gecko and the Echo, The Koala Who Could, Marmalade and Oscar the Hungry Unicorn.

Wanda the Warthog Who Worried

Emma — Thu, 22 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

A joyful celebration of the power of being GREAT, just as you are, from the creators of Brian the Lion who Learned.

Wanda the warthog is perfectly proud to be HER – a root-rustling wonder with stubbly fur. But when a graceful, perfectly plumed rainbow of scarlet macaw parrots appear in the forest one day, Wanda suddenly starts to doubt herself? Frowning and grouching and glaring: Wanda the warthog has started comparing.

When Wanda does everything she can to change the way she looks and the macaws still don’t take any notice, it’s time for Wanda’s friends to step in to remind her that she is only one who can decide her worth.

Perfect for encouraging conversations about being happy to be yourself!
Fran Stickley’s glorious and gleeful rhyming text is perfectly complemented by Chris Chatterton’s (illustrator of The Hugasaurus) warm, charming illustrations.
Gentle learning within the framework of a satisfying story.

Troll

Emma — Thu, 29 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The Times Children’s Book of the Week – “Playful and perceptive…This is definitely one troll worth unblocking”

Indie Book of the Month – September 2024

A funny, heartwarming story about internet trolling and learning to love yourself.

Below the bridge,
beneath the log,
underneath the burping bog,
where townsfolk whispered, cringed and crept,
a terrifying monster slept…

In this funny tale, inspired by both internet trolls and The Three Billy Goats Gruff, there is a terrifying troll that lives under a bridge. Unseen, he delights in shouting nasty things to passers-by. But when a d/Deaf bunny unwittingly faces up to him, he realises that it’s not so fun to say nasty things to someone’s face. Can Troll finally learn to love himself and others?

Perfect for children aged 3+
· This is a funny story that addresses internet trolling in an accessible way
· A charming character-led tale with Troll learning the error of his ways and getting a second chance
· A d/Deaf inclusive story
· Features hilarious, bright illustrations

A bear called Blue

Emma — Thu, 04 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The heartwarming tale of a lost bear who never gives up hope of finding his best friend Harriet – even after many years have passed – from award-winning author Frances Stickley.Harriet never goes anywhere without her beloved bear Blue, so when they become separated he knows that Harriet must be searching for him. Blue might be lost, but he never loses hope. Days, months and years pass, until one day Blue finds himself on a stall at a summer fete. He catches sight of a little girl who looks just like Harriet… but it can’t be, wouldn’t she be grown up by now? And why does the little girl’s mum look so familiar to him?Adult and child alike will fall in love with Blue the bear in this story of the everlasting and pure love between a teddy bear and his little girl.

Brian the lion who learned

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

A warm and wise picture book that’s great for learning about respecting others – illustrated by the bestselling illustrator of The Hugasaurus.

Brian the lion is the mightiest, bitiest beast in the jungle and he’s certain all the other animals LOVE him… Until one day he finds out they’re all just too scared to stand up to him! Can the King of the Jungle learn to change his ways and think of others?

A delightful and gently thought-provoking rhyming text by acclaimed author Frances Stickley is perfectly paired with gorgeously expressive illustrations from bestselling illustrator Chris Chatterton.

Encourages an awareness of how what we do affects others in an accessible way.
The skilful rhyming text by Frances Stickley is a joy to read out loud.
Beautiful illustrations from Chris Chatterton, illustrator of Ten Minutes to Bed, Little Unicorn and The Hugasaurus.

Also by Frances Stickley and published by Simon & Schuster:
Not a Cat in Sight, illustrated by Eamonn O’Neill

One you

Emma — Thu, 07 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0000

A lyrical countdown to your baby coming into the world and a count-up to the memories you’ll make together.One wonderful world, and now, one you. For nine magic months, two hearts beat together, then with ten tiny fingers and ten tiny toes, a new life begins. Through the magical story of the journey into parenthood, a beautiful message to a child is revealed: nothing else counts more than you.This poetic and poignant book about a child coming into the world would make the perfect gift for new parents, or a beautiful first book for a baby.

A bear called Blue

Emma — Thu, 06 Jul 2023 00:00:00 +0000

The touching story of a little girl and her beloved teddy bear, lost and reunited, from award-winning author Frances Stickley.Harriet never goes anywhere without her beloved bear Blue, so when they become separated he knows that Harriet must be searching for him. Blue might be lost, but he never loses hope. Days, months and years pass, until one day Blue finds himself on a stall at a summer fete. He catches sight of a little girl who looks just like Harriet… but it can’t be, wouldn’t she be grown up by now? And why does the little girl’s mum look so familiar to him?Adult and child alike will fall in love with Blue the bear in this story of the everlasting and pure love between a teddy bear and his little girl.