I wanted to share a new children’s book with you The Adventures of Belle Bear: A Story About Courage, Change, and Belonging by Kathy Akopov Guillory (Author), Nathalie Ortega (Illustrator) that we received in exchange for this review. Inside this post is my affiliate links if you click on the links and make a purchase, I will make a small percentage from the products you buy.
Charlie is still in Hobart, Oklahoma but David and I zoomed Charlie and Mikalya, and we read The Adventures of Belle Bear by Kathy Akopov Guillory and published through Blue Balloon Books, with them. For my family this was not just a book we read. The story became a conversation that stayed with us long after we closed the pages.
The story follows Belle Bear, a young polar bear cub who lives with her grandmother in snowy Mount Bearia. Her world is familiar, comforting, and full of the life she knows. Then she moves to a new country, everything changes. The snow is gone, the surroundings feel unfamiliar, and even the smallest parts of daily life no longer feel the same. It was scary.
What stood out most as we read the story is how honestly the story reflects what it feels like to suddenly be in a place where nothing is familiar anymore. Belle doesn’t instantly adjust or pretend everything is fine. Instead, she feels what many of us feel during change—uncertainty, quiet doubt, and the slow process of trying to find her place again.
As a family, that part of the story led us into real conversation without even trying. We talked about moments in our own lives where things felt unfamiliar or new, and how it takes time to feel settled again. Each of us connected to Belle in a different way, and it wasn’t forced or planned. It just happened naturally as we read the story which ties into Charlie as he begins a new life in Hobart.
My family found the most meaningful idea in the book is Belle Bear’s orange cape, which represents courage. At one point, the story gently asks what color your cape would be, and that question stayed with us longer than expected.
That question became something we kept returning to even after finishing the book. For us, it turned into drawings, quiet reflections, and simple conversations about what makes each of us feel strong or safe when life changes.
To extend the experience, even though Mikalya and Charle are grown we used coloring pages and activities from The Adventures of Belle Bear: A Story About Courage, Change, and Belonging to keep the story alive longer and to spend more time together.
Having something creative for my family to do while the story was still fresh made the experience feel more connected. It wasn’t separate from the reading—it became part of it. The coloring, the talking, and the story all blended together in a way that felt natural. Which you can do with your family as well.
We also kept things simple with a small snack while reading. Nothing complicated, just a mix of everyday things like cereal, pretzels, dried fruit for Mikalya and David, and something sweet for me. That small detail mattered more than expected because it created a calm, comfortable space where the story could unfold without distraction.
As we continued talking about the book, it became clear that the story naturally touches on emotional growth, confidence, and what it means to belong somewhere. It also opens the door to simple learning moments about polar bears, Arctic environments, and how animals live in different parts of the world. But the strongest part of the experience wasn’t the learning itself—it was how naturally the learning came out of the story.
After reading, we found ourselves thinking about how stories like this don’t have to end when the book is closed. Something as simple as using cookie cutters to make bear-shaped snacks or sandwiches turned into a way to keep the story alive in everyday life. Even playing with stuffed animals or imagining what Belle Bear might do next became part of the experience without needing structure or planning.
We also talked about how this kind of story could easily connect to real-life experiences like visiting a toy store or Build-A-Bear style experience, where children can choose a bear, name it, and imagine its own story. It felt like a natural extension of Belle’s journey, turning imagination into something tangible.
What added even more depth to the reading was learning that the author experienced moving from the USSR to the United States as a child. Knowing that Belle’s emotional journey is rooted in real experience made the story feel even more grounded and honest.
In the end, this became more than a book we read together. It became a shared moment of reflection, conversation, and connection as a family. It reminded us that change is something everyone experiences, and feeling unsure at first does not mean we are lost. It just means we are still finding our way.
We are looking forward to exploring more from Blue Balloon Books as part of our family reading journey, continuing to build these kinds of shared experiences through stories that stay with us. If you are #Homescholing this book should be added to your library as there is many learning experiences tied to the story.
About the book:
Always remember: You are kind. You are curious. You are brave. You can do anything. Because you are a Belle Bear. And I love you.
Belle Bear is a spirited polar bear cub who lives in the arctic country of Mount Bearia with her beloved grandma, Baba Bear. Her days are filled with snowy games, cozy bear hugs, and magical moments—all while wearing an orange cape that makes her feel brave.
When Belle Bear and Baba Bear have to leave their home and move to a new country, Belle Bear’s world is turned upside down. There’s no snow, no other polar bears, and certainly no capes. At her new school, Belle Bear struggles to feel like she belongs, and she begins to doubt the very things that once made her feel special. But with a gentle nudge from Baba Bear and a heart full of courage, Belle Bear discovers her self-confidence and begins to make new friends who appreciate her for exactly who she is.
The Adventures of Belle Bear is a heartwarming story about moving to a new place, making new friends, and finding self-confidence in the process.
Meet the Author: Kathy Akopov Guillory
Kathy Akopov Guillory grew up in the USSR and immigrated to the United States with her family when she was nine years old. She struggled to make friends at a new school in an entirely new country and leaned on her grandma, Baba Emma, for support, which inspired this book.
By day, she is a marketing consultant who lives in Maine with her husband, Chris; daughters, Emma and Eleanor; and their two dogs, Half Pint and Dr. Watson.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
