In this Author POV, we highlight Bella Santini in the Land of Everlasting Change, the award-winning first book in Angela Legh's Bella Santini Chronicles. This middle-grade fantasy adventure follows eleven-year-old Bella as she is swept into the hidden world of the Fae, where she must navigate unexpected challenges, forge new friendships, and discover the courage to trust herself.
Blending magical adventure with social-emotional learning, the novel explores themes of resilience, empathy, self-confidence, and personal growth through an imaginative fantasy setting. Winner of both the Mom's Choice Gold Award and the Golden Wizard Book Prize Gold Award, Bella Santini in the Land of Everlasting Change offers readers ages 8–12 an engaging story that encourages them to embrace change, believe in themselves, and recognize their own inner strength.
Can you introduce your book for librarians who may be discovering it for the first time?
Bella Santini in the Land of Everlasting Change is a middle-grade fantasy novel that combines magical adventure with social-emotional learning. When eleven-year-old Bella Santini is unexpectedly swept into the hidden world of the Fae, she finds herself caught in events far larger than she ever imagined. Along the way, she must navigate unfamiliar challenges, build new friendships, and discover the courage to trust herself in a world where change is constant and appearances can be deceiving. Awarded both the Mom's Choice Gold Award and the Golden Wizard Book Prize Gold Award, Bella Santini in the Land of Everlasting Change offers librarians, educators, and families a story that is both entertaining and meaningful, inspiring children to embrace change, believe in themselves, and recognize the magic that exists within them.
What inspired you to write this book, and what core themes do you hope readers take away from it?While children are drawn into a rich fantasy world filled with fairies, magic, and wonder, the story also explores themes of resilience, emotional awareness, self-confidence, empathy, compassion, and personal growth. The book was written to help young readers understand that difficult emotions and life changes are not obstacles to overcome, but opportunities to discover their own inner strength.
What kind of readers or patrons do you see this book resonating with most? (age range, grade levels, reading interests)
This book is perfect for readers age 8-12, especially kids in grades 3-6 who love immersive fantasy adventures, deep character development, and important life lessons. This book will appeal to readers who enjoy magical worlds, fairies, quests, friendship, and stories of adventure and growing up. Children who are experiencing transition, building confidence, making friends, or learning to deal with big feelings find it especially attractive. Librarians and educators also have found the book to be a natural fit for readers who enjoy fantasy series such as those with magical schools, hidden worlds, and young protagonists discovering their strengths. Beyond the fantasy elements, the story also offers opportunities for conversations about resilience, empathy, emotional awareness, and believing in yourself. The novel’s fun fantasy storyline with social-emotional learning themes makes it a great choice for independent readers, classroom libraries, homeschool programs, book clubs, and families in search of entertaining and enriching stories. While many children enjoy the fantasy adventure, I often hear from parents and educators that the story particularly resonates with sensitive, thoughtful children who sometimes feel different, overwhelmed by change, or uncertain of their place in the world. Bella's journey helps them see that courage is not the absence of fear but the willingness to keep moving forward despite it.
If your book were part of a library display, what topics, themes, or comparable titles would you pair it with?
If Bella Santini in the Land of Everlasting Change were part of a library display, I would pair it with books that combine imaginative storytelling with themes of courage, self-discovery, friendship, resilience, and emotional growth. Topics might include fantasy adventures, social-emotional learning, emotional resilience, self-confidence, kindness, empathy, and navigating change. The story is especially well suited for displays focused on character development, personal growth, magical worlds, and books that help children better understand themselves and others. Readers who enjoy stories featuring strong young protagonists, hidden magical realms, and journeys of self-discovery may also be drawn to Bella's adventures. While every story is unique, librarians might consider pairing Bella Santini with fantasy titles that encourage both imagination and personal growth. More than anything, I hope Bella finds her way into the hands of children who are learning that change is a natural part of life and that some of our greatest strengths are discovered when we step into the unknown.
Are there companion resources librarians or educators should know about?
Absolutely. One of my goals with The Bella Santini Chronicles has always been to create more than just a fantasy adventure. I wanted to create stories that spark meaningful conversations and support children's emotional growth. Bella Santini in the Land of Everlasting Change includes a Parent Discussion Guide that helps families explore themes such as resilience, self-confidence, empathy, friendship, and navigating life's changes. The guide gives parents an opportunity to connect with their children through the story and continue the learning beyond the final page. For educators, I have also created free classroom teacher guides available on my website. In addition, the series is supported by companion social-emotional learning resources that can be used in classrooms, homeschool settings, counseling programs, book clubs, and youth organizations. These materials encourage children to explore emotional awareness, self-love, personal responsibility, healthy relationships, and thoughtful decision-making. Children can also continue their journey through the world of Bella Santini at BellaSantini.com, a safe and engaging online space where they can learn more about the characters, explore the realms, and discover activities that encourage self-reflection, imagination, and personal growth. My hope is that The Bella Santini Chronicles serves not only as an enjoyable reading experience, but also as a resource that helps children better understand themselves and the world around them. Additional resources and information about the series can be found at angelalegh.com.
Do you offer author engagement options for schools or libraries?
Yes. I offer both virtual and in-person programs for schools, libraries, homeschool groups, and community organizations. My presentations combine storytelling, emotional resilience, and practical tools that help children better understand themselves and others. Topics include emotional awareness, bullying prevention, self-confidence, resilience, friendship, and navigating life's challenges with compassion. For schools and educational organizations, I offer keynote presentations, classroom discussions, teacher resources, and professional development sessions. My programs are designed to give students, educators, and families a shared language for discussing emotions and building healthy relationships. One of my most requested student programs is *The Invisible Backpack: What Are You Carrying?*, which helps children recognize that everyone is carrying unseen challenges and encourages empathy and understanding. I also offer presentations focused on emotional resilience, managing difficult feelings, and turning challenges into opportunities for growth. Whether I am speaking with students, parents, educators, or librarians, my goal is the same: to inspire meaningful conversations, build emotional resilience, and help children discover the strength and wisdom that already exist within them.
To learn more about Angela Legh, The Bella Santini Chronicles, classroom resources, parent discussion guides, and author visit opportunities, visit AngelaLegh.com. Readers can also explore the world of Bella Santini, meet the characters, and access additional activities at BellaSantini.com.
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