The Alphabet With Bella – by Lorraine O’Garro and Katlego Kgabale – Review

Our Verdict: Katlego’s illustrations bring Bella to life in this lovely multicultural ABC book

Our Rating: 10/10

By now, black, mixed-race and ethnic minority characters should appear in children’s picture books as standard. Sadly, we still seem to be dragging our feet embracing all diversity, so it’s a good job that Lorraine O’Garro has stepped forward with her fantastic book The Alphabet With Bella.

Bella is a four year old Black-British girl of Caribbean heritage. Though she now lives in the suburbs of North London, she learns her ABCs by travelling the world learning letters that front fruits, animals and geographical features indigenous to other countries.

The book is beautifully illustrated by Katlego Kgabale, who really brings Bella and her world to life.

Lorraine was inspired to create her spirited character after working voluntarily with four year old children in her local community. She found that there were too few books featuring black and mixed-race characters.

The Alphabet with Bella, is the first in The Bella Series of books for children aged 2-5 years of age.

This really is a lovely book and hopefully one that will find its way into early years settings across the county. Bella is lovely and you really get a flavour of her joy, enthusiasm and world through Katlego’s beautiful illustrations.

Available from 21 June 2016
Clink Street Publishing
Amazon