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Leslie Stark was born in a small town in Washington State near the Canadian border. She earned a BA in Social Sciences from Washington State University, and a degree in animation from Bellevue College, where she studied animation, graphics, screenwriting, storytelling, and video production. Her dog Bella was the inspiration for Bella of Madison Park. She is also a classically trained singer and when she isn't writing, can be found singing opera or hiking in the Pacific Northwest with her two four-legged companions, Addie and Lucy.
Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite
Bella is “the queen of the park.” A small dog, with her curly tail, loud bark and a pink coat that she wore in cold weather, Bella had captured the hearts of not only her family, but all those who saw her perched on the window ledge or dashing through the park on her walks. But one day, Bella gets too excited and chases after a squirrel. She gets lost. It’s getting dark and she can’t find her way home. Suddenly she realizes that she is alone and she’s frightened. A kind stranger, in the form of a blue jay, helps Bella find her way home, with a stern warning for Bella to stay close to her master.
Leslie Stark’s picture storybook, Bella of Madison Park, is a beautiful way to instill in children’s minds the importance of staying close to their family. It is a scary world out there and children need to be kept safe. Bella had to learn that lesson as well. Her story had a happy ending. She found her way back home. We can’t stress enough the importance of teaching our children to stay close to home. Being adventurous and curious about the world beyond is a good thing, but it’s also important to stay safe, to stay close to home, and to always let the ones we love know where we are. The illustrations are delightful and they complement the story, which is told in rhyming verse. This will definitely be a cherished storybook for young readers.
