Review: Bella Grows a Bicycle by Lellie Lopter

 Bella Grows a Bicycle is an uplifting and positive story about turning your dreams into reality.

With the cost of living continually on the rise Bella Grows a Bicycle opens up positive conversations on recycling, upcycling, sustainability and how, through resourcefulness and some hard work, big dreams can become reality.

illustrated by Chiara Franceschetti

Publisher: Five Mile Press

Publication date: 1st June 2026

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 32

RRP: AU$24.99 (hardcover)

Source: Courtesy of the author via Books on Tour PR

Bella wants a bicycle, but it's not her birthday. I really like that Bella is not simply bought a brand new bike. Her dad suggests she grows one and gives her a tiny seed. 

We don't see instant gratification here either. Bella plants the seed and waters it. She waits and watches it grow, showing the reader that gratification takes patience. When the seed grows into a radish Bella is disappointed. However, with a guiding hand her father shows her how with hard work and upcycling and swapping with her friends that tiny radish can turn into a bicycle. 

The resulting bicycle isn't new or fancy but Bella cleans it up and is so excited.

The story explains, in a fun way, how one person's old items can be another person's treasure.

I love how the radish doesn't suddenly manifest into a bicycle. It moves slowly and realistically through each small item no longer wanted by its owner to the next item swapped. Bella doesn't simply pass them on, she spends her own time cleaning, upcycling and making each item more appealing before swapping it.

In this throw-away consumer-driven world it is refreshing to come across a children's book that champions upcycling, sustainability and pre-loved items as Bella starts a swap economy in her community.

Bella Grows a Bicycle Inspires children to reuse and recycle instead of discarding used and outgrown items.

Delightful cartoon style illustrations in watercolour and pencil by Chiara Franceschetti are alive with little details. The birds on the fences, Bella's cat who follows her everywhere and the delight on the children's faces as they swap their items all give the story that extra level of appeal. From full page spreads to small vignettes, the story comes alive with heart-warming scenes.

All big dreams start small and grow through hard work and determination.

I am sure Bella Grows a Bicycle will be a cherished addition to our bookshelf and will be read over and over as my grandchildren grow.

My rating 5 / 5 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲

Recommended age: 4+ years

#bellagrowsabicycle #lellielopterauthor #chiarafranceschettiillustrator #chidrenspicturebook #childrensbooksonsustainability #upcycling 

Review: Spot the Dot by Kris Herbert

Spot the Dot written and illustrated by Kris Herbert is a fabulously fun rhyming picture book.

Spot the dot has lost his spot! Can you help find where he belongs? 

Publisher: EK Books

Publication date: 9th June 2026

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Pages: 36

RRP: AU$27.99 (hardcover)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher via Books on Tour PR

I love the way Kris Herbert has used Spot as the dot's name. It is a fabulous play on words. You could also add a question mark after the title (can you) Spot the Dot? Read the book again and see how many dots you can spot. There are dots everywhere. Which dot is Spot's spot?

Spot has lost his place in the world. Where can he have come from? The story goes through some fun places that Spot may have come from; a full stop, a dot from a mushroom, a donut, a bowling ball. Lots of things have dots but Spot didn't fit any of them. There are lots of little places where Spot may belong throughout the book.

Spot didn't give up. he just needed to look around a bit more. He tried a dice, a spotted frog. He didn't give up until he found the perfect place.

Spot the Dot is a delightful picture book about finding your place in the world. It may take a little trial and error to find where you fit in. But, by simply being yourself you will find the place that is just right for you.

Spot the Dot is the perfect story for that quiet bedtime routine. A rhyming story that flows along with a fun tempo. Herbert uses playfulness with her text with perceived movement and changes in size and shape to make the story come alive.

Spot the Dot raises conversations such as where do you belong and where is your favourite spot?

We had a little fun matching our names with words that rhyme, just like Spot.

Veronica the harmonica

Dot the spot (that was an easy one)

Jay the stingray

Ace the shoelace

Flos the albatross

My rating 5/ 5 🍩🍩🍩🍩🍩

Recommended age: 4 - 8 years

#spotthedot #krisherbert #childrenspicturebook #kidsbooksonbelonging #findingyourplace #funrhymingbooks