All Columns in Alphabetical Order


Monday, July 2, 2012

READ THIS: Let's Visit Barcelona The Adventures of Bella and Harry by Lisa Manzione Illustrated by Kristine Lucco

I have never been to Barcelona, but had a fun time taking a pretend trip there with Bella and Harry in "The Adventures of Bella & Harry Let's Visit Barcelona"! As in all the other books in this wonderful series, Kristine Lucco's artwork is just beautiful! Chihuahuas Bella and Harry have a great time exploring Barcelona! They visit historical landmarks and enjoy the delicious cuisine! Lisa Manzione once again provides children (and their parents!) with a fun means of learning about another culture without ever leaving the comfort of their own homes. My almost five year old loves the Bella & Harry series and "Let's Visit Barcelona" was no exception! We had a lot of fun reading this book together and look forward to going ton more adventures with Bella and Harry!

Watch out Spain, here comes Bella & Harry. Their latest adventure takes these Chihuahuas to Barcelona. These Spanish-speaking pooches dance flamenco and learn about Spanish artists. This gives children a creative introduction to the country and the city itself. As Brother and Sister, they always watch out for each other and help each other to get the most out of what they are doing. I have to say that after reading this book, my daughter wanted tapas for dinner. So we went to the fridge and put together some “tapas” and pretended to be dining in Barcelona. Perfect inspiration for creating our own adventures. 

The Adventures of Bella and Harry: Let's Visit Barcelona is a very fun book. Off we go to another country and see all the sights. These two adorable pups take us all over Barcelona with their fun-filled adventure. The story is behind this book is really wonderful. I also think that the illustrations are great. I love the way the book takes you on an a trip without having to pack and go. It is a wonderful and educational book. 

I've always wanted to visit Barcelona. When reading about Bella and Harry's trip there, I loved it. I was able to get a geography lesson as well as look at some amazing pictures. In this adventure, we learn about famous artists and different sites to visit. I loved when Bella warned Harry to be careful on the steps of one of the towers of Sagrada Familia and she ended up falling down them after tripping on a paint can. I've always heard the mountains are beautiful out in Barcelona and the illustrations in this book helped to capture that. If I ever do get out to Barcelona, I can't wait to take a funicular ride just like Bella and Harry. 



***
About the Author - Lisa Manzione



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.


As the daughter of a single parent who worked for a major airline, Lisa's exposure to (and interest in) travel began at an early age. Later in life, as Lisa's own children grew up and her love of animals continued, the idea for the Bella and Harry series was born.


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.

About the Illustrator – Kristine Lucco



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.


Now a mother of two avid junior readers, Kristine’s unique talent and particular flair for children’s themes has evolved quite naturally into the world of children’s books and illustrations. She is quick to credit her own children for inspiring this phase of her art, as it is often conceived by seeing the characters and places through their eyes.


In addition to her work on the Bella and Harry series, Kristine has also illustrated the most recently recognized children’s book, “Wacky Jacky, The True Story of an Unlikely Beauty Queen”.








LISA MANZIONE’S DEBUT CHILDREN’S PICTURE BOOK SERIES, THE ADVENTURES OF BELLA & HARRY,


PROVIDES CHILDREN WITH EDUCATIONAL PASSPORT TO FUN


Globetrotting Chihuahua Duo Entertains and Informs With Tales


That Encourage Global Exploration Among Children Ages 5 to 10






With the arrival of Lisa Manzione’s children’s book series, The Adventures of Bella & Harry, parents and children can now em-bark on educational and fun-filled journeys across the globe with a pair of jet-set pets that foster education and appreciation of diversity. The first two books in the series, Let’s Visit Paris! and Let’s Visit Venice!, are currently available at www.BellaandHarry.com, www.Amazon.com and www.BarnesandNoble.com and make the perfect holiday gift for children ages 5 to 10.





“After realizing that many children cannot locate major countries on a map, it became my mission to combine my passion for world travel and love of animals to create The Adventures of Bella & Harry,” says author Lisa Manzione. “If our children are going to thrive in a global economy, we need to teach them that there are places in the world beyond their backyards worth knowing about. The Adventures of Bella & Harry is an informative, interactive and exciting way to introduce children to the joys of travel and ultimately create more knowledgeable citizens of the world.”


The series, which debuted in February 2011, chronicles the humorous tales of a young and spunky chihuahua Bella and her little brother, Harry, as they travel with their human owners to exotic locales around the world. By introducing children to foreign customs, history, landmarks, and languages at an early age, the series stimulates children's imaginations and fosters a thirst for understanding the world in which they live. The Adventures of Bella & Harry series not only entertains with highly relatable characters and heartwarming hand-drawn illustrations, but does so in a way that raises awareness for children and their parents alike.






Both Let’s Visit Paris! and Let’s Visit Venice! have been awarded the Mom’s Choice Award, honoring excellence in family-friendly media. Future locations to be featured in the series include London, Cairo, Athens, and Barcelona. Five percent of book proceeds benefit the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty for Animals, a nonprofit 501c3 corporation.






About Lisa Manzione


First-time author Lisa Manzione has spent years traveling the world, gathering unique experiences to share in her award-winning children’s book series, The Adventures of Bella & Harry. The daughter of a single parent who worked for a major airline, Lisa's enchantment with travel began at an early age. Later in life, as Lisa's own children grew up, she rekindled her passion for travel and the idea for the Bella and Harry series was born. Through the comedic and informative worldwide adventures of Bella and Harry, Lisa hopes to stimulate children's imaginations and inspire them to embrace the world in which they live. Lisa is currently a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). To learn more about Lisa, visit www.LisaManzione.com

Back to TOP