Bella Brown’s Turkey Trot Tizzy
About
Join Bella Brown in her most heartwarming adventure yet. When Bella signs up for her school’s Turkey Trot charity race, she’s worried about one thing: being the slowest runner and finishing last… again.
As costumed runners take their marks, Bella chooses to support the school’s bee farm project. But when the race begins, she discovers that sometimes the real race isn’t about speed at all. Along the course, Bella finds friends in need—from Sarah the tangled green bean to Marcus the mud-stuck turkey—and each time she stops to help, she falls further behind.
With a sprinkle of Pip the Domovoi’s playful magic and Grandma Yetta’s gentle wisdom, Bella learns that true victory isn’t always about crossing the finish line first. Sometimes, the best finish line is the one you cross together.
Features whimsical Thanksgiving costumes and scenarios
Teaches valuable lessons about kindness and helping others
Includes fun facts about charity runs and ways kids can give back
Search for mischievous Pip hiding throughout the illustrations
A delightful tale that celebrates how small acts of kindness can create the biggest wins of all.
Coming soon!
The Heart of Every Adventure
How old is she? 8 years old.
What does she look like? A spirited girl who loves to create art, wears a very special family heirloom her Grandma Yetta gave her - a magical butterfly locket.
What is she like? Bella is creative, artistic, brave, and has a huge heart for helping others. She loves to draw and make beautiful pictures, especially butterflies and nature scenes. Sometimes big jobs feel overwhelming, but she never gives up. She gets excited about fun trips, loves her family, and always puts friends before winning. She's incredibly kind and will stop to help anyone who needs it, even if it means she comes in last.
What is she really good at? Drawing amazing pictures (especially butterflies and flowers), solving problems, helping others, learning about nature, astronomy, and different cultures, baking with guidance, and being a loyal friend.
What does she love most? Drawing, butterflies, art supplies, butterfly gardens, Grandma Yetta's hugs, everything purple, magical adventures, learning new things, helping friends, and bringing people together.
Her favorite color: Purple.
Her special job: She's a Key Keeper. That means she protects a key that opens a door between our world and a world of magic where the domovoi live.
Her greatest strength: Her kindness and willingness to help others for no other reason then it's the right thing to do.
Books she's in: ALL 10 Bella Brown books - she's the main character of the entire series.
Fun stuff about Bella:
- Her room gets SO messy she has to jump over clothes mountains.
- She draws thank-you pictures for people she loves.
- When her room is clean, she can run without tripping over toys.
- She has a magical butterfly locket that glows when magic is near.
- She can sweep up messes faster than you can say "Lickity-split-ala-ka-boom."
- She's been on amazing butterfly adventures around the world with Grandma Yetta.
- She overcame her fear of bees and learned to love them.
- She knows amazing facts about dragonflies and the moon.
- She loves learning about different holiday traditions from around the world.
- She's not the fastest runner, but she has the biggest heart.
- She always stops to help others, even in the middle of a race.
- She turns conflicts into friendships through understanding.
- She makes the best cookies when she follows directions.
- She knows that the best finish line is the one you cross together.
Bella's wisdom:
- "Drawing is fun and easy, but cleaning my room is hard."
- "Friends matter more than finishing first."
- "Sometimes the best finish line is the one you cross together."
- "Like the bees we're helping---each small act combined makes something amazing."
What makes Bella special: She always chooses kindness over winning, learning over knowing, and helping others over helping herself. She's a true friend who brings out the best in everyone around her.
The Space Explorer
Who is he? Bella's space-loving friend who knows lots about astronomy AND one of her classmates who loves Santa Claus traditions.
How old is he? 8 years old.
What does he look like? A boy who loves wearing space-themed t-shirts and pajamas.
What is he like? Enthusiastic about space, knows lots of cool space facts, and loves sharing his knowledge about planets, moons, and astronauts. He's also passionate about Santa Claus and Christmas traditions.
What is he really good at? Remembering amazing space facts, making astronomy exciting for everyone, and knowing all about Santa's history from Saint Nicholas.
What he loves: Everything about space, reading space books, learning about astronauts, watching the stars with his friends, and celebrating Christmas with Santa Claus traditions.
His Christmas tradition: Santa Claus - he knows all about how Santa started as Saint Nicholas and loves the magic of Christmas giving.
Why kids love him: He makes space feel accessible and exciting, he always has the coolest space facts to share, and he's generous about helping others learn about his favorite traditions.
Books he's in: Bella Brown's Ten-Moon Mysteries, Bella Brown's Candy Cane Curfuffle, and Bella Brown's Turkey Trot Tizzy.
Fun stuff about Marcus:
- He wears glow-in-the-dark star pajamas that shimmer in moonlight.
- He knows that Apollo astronauts called the moon "brownish-grey" up close.
- He loves studying star charts and moon rock models.
- He brings space books on their camping adventures.
- He knows that real moon dust smells like fireworks.
- His grandpa taught him that meeting someone special happens "once in a blue moon."
- He can explain how Santa evolved from Saint Nicholas to modern-day gift-giver.
- He helps his friend Elena understand Santa's connection to her Three Kings tradition.
- He learns that different traditions can share the same spirit of giving.
Marcus says: "Santa brings presents to everyone."
The Science Detective
Who is she? Bella's smart friend who loves science and facts.
How old is she? 8 years old.
What does she look like? Curly hair and glasses that catch moonlight and make tiny prisms.
What is she like? Super smart, loves learning about science, and always has the best facts to share. She's also artistic and draws moon sketches in their journal.
What is she really good at? Explaining scientific things in ways that make sense, like how eclipses work and why the moon changes colors.
What she loves: Learning about astronomy, sketching what she sees, taking careful notes, and sharing cool facts with her friends.
Why kids love her: She makes science fun and easy to understand, and she never makes anyone feel silly for not knowing something.
Books she's in: Bella Brown's Ten-Moon Mysteries and Bella Brown's Turkey Trot Tizzy.
Fun stuff about Sophie:
- She wears glasses that reflect all the different moon colors beautifully.
- She can explain complicated things like lunar eclipses and atmospheric effects.
- She loves drawing crooked moon sketches and learned that magic isn't in perfect lines.
- She keeps detailed notes in their moon journal.
- She gets excited about rare astronomical events.
- She knows that the moon appears silver because of how sunlight reflects off its rocky surface.
Sophie says: "Each moon color tells its own story."
The Wise Teacher
Who is she? Bella's wise and patient teacher.
What is she like? Kind, understanding, and skilled at helping children learn from each other. She knows how to guide discussions and turn conflicts into learning opportunities.
What makes her special? She creates opportunities for children to share their cultures and learn from differences, and she knows when to let Grandma Yetta's wisdom help solve problems.
Her teaching style: Patient, inclusive, and focused on celebrating diversity while finding common ground.
Why kids love her: She makes everyone feel valued and helps them see how their different backgrounds make the classroom more interesting.
Books she's in: Bella Brown's Candy Cane Curfuffle and Bella Brown's Turkey Trot Tizzy.
Fun stuff about Ms. Kringle:
- Her name connects to Christmas/winter traditions, making her perfect for holiday stories.
- She organizes inclusive celebrations that honor all students' backgrounds.
- She knows when to step back and let students teach each other.
- She provides art supplies and supports creative projects.
- She celebrates students' learning and growth.
- She creates safe spaces for sharing and understanding.
Ms. Kringle says: "Each of you will share holiday traditions on our float."
The Wise Magic Keeper
Who is she? Bella's sweet grandma who always helps.
What is she like? Kind, smart, and never gets mad. She knows how to make hard things feel easy and fun. She also knows LOTS of magical secrets. She has a great sense of humor and loves wearing purple clothes.
What makes her special? She can help you do anything by breaking it into tiny pieces, and she knows about magic and folklore. She also looks great in purple.
Why kids love her: She always knows what to say to make you feel brave and happy, plus she tells the best magical stories. She even thinks being painted purple is fun.
Her special secret: She used to be a Key Keeper too when she was young.
Her style: She loves wearing purple clothes like aubergine shawls and has natural purple hair.
Books she's in: ALL 10 Bella Brown books - she appears in every single book in the series.
Fun stuff about Grandma:
- She calls Bella "Bubalah" (that means sweetheart).
- She gives the BEST hugs ever.
- She tells the best bedtime stories.
- She makes yummy treats that tasted like love.
- She met Papa Pip when she was Bella's age.
- She has a cozy cottage with a beautiful butterfly garden.
- She creates and designs butterfly gardens around the world for the Lavender and Roses Society.
- She makes the best hot cocoa.
- She knows Bella's favorite treats are purple-frosted cupcakes.
- She thinks being covered in purple paint actually suits her.
- She wears lavender perfume and aubergine shawls.
What Grandma teaches: Big jobs are easy when you do them one step at a time, and magic often hides in plain sight.
The Grateful Helper
Who is she? Bella's classmate who participates in the Turkey Trot charity race.
How old is she? 8 years old.
What is she like? Determined and grateful - she doesn't let a stumble keep her down and really appreciates when someone helps her.
Her Turkey Trot costume: A green bean costume that sometimes gets a bit tangled around her feet.
What happens to her: She trips during the race and her costume gets twisted, but Bella stops to help her.
Why she's important: She's the first person Bella helps during the race, showing Bella's natural kindness even when it means falling behind.
What Bella teaches her: A special double-knot technique that Mom taught Bella - one that never comes apart.
Books she's in: Bella Brown's Turkey Trot Tizzy.
Fun stuff about Sarah:
- She wears a creative green bean costume for the charity race.
- She gets tears in her eyes when she's hurt, but bounces back quickly.
- She's grateful for help and doesn't take Bella's kindness for granted.
- She gets right back into the race after Bella helps her.
- She's part of the group that celebrates together at the end.
Sarah says: "Thanks, Bella!" (with a big smile).
What she shows us: Sometimes we all need a helping hand, and it's okay to accept kindness from others.
The Turkey Hot Dog Runner
Who is he? Bella's classmate who participates in the Turkey Trot charity race.
How old is he? 8 years old.
What is he like? Creative with his costume choice, a bit clumsy in funny situations, but grateful and team-spirited.
His Turkey Trot costume: A turkey hot dog costume complete with mustard and ketchup accessories.
What happens to him: He gets chased up a tree by a tiny chihuahua named Spartacus who thinks he's a real turkey hot dog.
Why he's important: He shows how Bella's helpfulness extends to everyone, even in the most ridiculous situations.
His funny predicament: Dangling from a tree while a tiny dog barks at him, thinking he's actually food.
Books he's in: Bella Brown's Turkey Trot Tizzy.
Fun stuff about Nikolai:
- His turkey hot dog costume is so realistic it fools a small dog.
- He gets stuck in a tree in one of the funniest scenes in the book.
- He's worried about making Bella come in last, showing he cares about others.
- He's part of the final celebration with all the helped runners.
- His costume includes detailed mustard and ketchup accessories.
- He apologizes for potentially making Bella finish last, showing his consideration.
Nikolai says: "Sorry, we might end up last" and "Thanks, Bella."
What he shows us: Sometimes the silliest situations require the biggest help, and there's no embarrassment in needing rescue.
The Three Kings Tradition Keeper
Who is she? Bella's classmate who celebrates the Three Kings tradition.
How old is she? 8 years old.
What is she like? Smart, proud of her cultural heritage, and passionate about sharing her family's beautiful traditions. She's artistic and loves the magical stories behind her celebrations.
What makes her special? She knows wonderful stories about Christkind and the Three Kings, and she's great at making connections between different cultures' traditions.
Her Christmas traditions: Christkind (the angel-child who brings gifts) and the Three Kings (Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthazar) who follow the star.
What she teaches others: How traditions from different countries can share the same beautiful spirit, and how Christkind and the Three Kings connect to other gift-giving traditions.
Why kids love her: She tells amazing stories about angel-children floating through windows and wise kings following stars across continents.
Books she's in: Bella Brown's Candy Cane Curfuffle and Bella Brown's Turkey Trot Tizzy.
Fun stuff about Elena:
- She knows that Christkind is an angel-child with golden hair and sparkling wings.
- She can trace the Three Kings' journey from Europe, Asia, and Africa.
- She understands how her traditions connect to her friend's Marcus's Santa stories.
- She helps make beautiful costumes and crowns for the parade.
- She's generous with her craft supplies and helps classmates.
- She throws golden stars from her treasure box during the parade.
Elena says: "The three kings brought the first real treasures."
The Christmas Witch Expert
Who is she? Bella's classmate who loves Christmas witch traditions.
How old is she? 8 years old.
What is she like? Bold, confident, and fascinated by the powerful, wise women in European folklore. She loves the idea of magical helpers who are both strong and caring.
What makes her special? She knows amazing stories about Christmas witches from different European countries and loves sharing their magical abilities.
Her Christmas traditions: The Christmas Witches - La Befana from Italy, Frau Perchta from the Alps, Frau Holle from Germany, and Ded Moroz from Russia.
What she teaches others: How winter magic comes in many forms, and how wise, powerful helpers can be just as wonderful as traditional gift-givers.
Why kids love her: She makes magic feel real and exciting, and she shows that powerful doesn't mean scary - it means helpful and wise.
Books she's in: Bella Brown's Candy Cane Curfuffle and Bella Brown's Turkey Trot Tizzy.
Fun stuff about Emma:
- She knows that Christmas witches are wise winter guardians, not scary figures.
- She can tell stories about La Befana flying on her magical broom following the Three Kings' star.
- She loves how Frau Perchta and Frau Holle bring winter's beauty with their magic.
- She understands that Ded Moroz works with his granddaughter Snegurochka.
- She's generous with craft supplies and helps Bella with costume materials.
- Her cape swirls with winter magic during the parade.
- She learns that all traditions teach kindness and wisdom.
Emma says: "Christmas witches command winter itself."
The Bee Expert
Who is he? A friendly bee farmer who teaches kids about bees.
How old is he? 60 years old.
Where does he work? Sunny Meadows Bee Farm.
What does he wear? Coveralls and a big smile.
What is he like? Patient, kind, and never makes kids feel silly for being scared.
What makes him special? He knows EVERYTHING about bees and loves sharing cool bee facts.
Why kids love him: He understands when you're nervous and helps you feel brave.
Books he's in: Bella Brown Visits a Bee Farm and Bella Brown's Turkey Trot Tizzy.
Fun stuff about Farmer Joe:
- He calls his farm "bee paradise".
- He teaches kids that honey is really bee vomit (but in a fun way.).
- He knows that bees do a wiggle dance to talk to each other.
- He's super patient with scared kids like Bella.
- He makes learning about bees exciting instead of scary.
What Farmer Joe teaches: Bees are amazing helpers, not scary monsters.
Bella's Best Magical Friend (Look for Pip hiding in EVERY Bella Brown book)
Who is he? Bella's magical best friend and house helper.
What is he? A special house spirit who takes care of families (that's what a domovoi does).
What does he look like? He has brilliant blue hair, orange skin, and he's often seen about as tall as Bella's knee, but can also appear taller and smaller too.
What's he like? Friendly, loyal, and always watching out for Bella. He's the smallest in his domovoi family, but he has a big heart. He gets nervous and giggly sometimes. He LOVES making surprises for his friends, even when it causes trouble.
His special job: Keeping Bella's house and family safe and happy.
His magic power: Shape shifting. He can change into different things, but sometimes he struggles to keep a shape or gets stuck. Like the time he tried to turn into an eagle, and turned into a dancing chicken for three days instead. And his mom appreciated all the eggs.
What makes him special? Even though he's the littlest domovoi and his magic is still wobbly, he might become the BEST shape shifter ever.
What's in his treasure bag: Candies that sparkle like gems, trinkets that shine brighter than fireflies, buttons, coins, and the sparkliest stardust of all.
Where does he live? Pip lives behind the stove like most domovoi, but he also travels back and forth to Dom, the magical domovoi world.
Books he's in: ALL 12 of J.W. Zarek's picture books - he appears in every single book either as a main character or hidden in background illustrations.
Bella Brown Series appearances:
- Books 1-3: Hidden in background illustrations
- Books 4-8: Main character
- Books 9-10: Hidden in background illustrations
Standalone book appearances:
- Pip's Epic Treasure Hunt (main protagonist)
- The Stomp-Clomp-Clump Monster Above the Bed (hidden in background illustrations)
Fun stuff about Pip:
- He's the runt (smallest one) of his domovoi clan.
- His shape shifting gets mixed up sometimes, but he keeps trying.
- He makes tiny sneezes that echo from the fireplace.
- Papa Pip taught him to always keep the house neat and never leave a mess.
- His blue hair gets sad and turns periwinkle when he's worried.
- He sometimes "borrows" things from Papa Pip's magic shed without asking first.
- He knows Bella's favorite color is purple and her favorite treats are purple-frosted cupcakes.
- He can tip-toe so quietly you can barely hear him.
- He appears in ALL of J. W. Zarek's picture books.
- He's always nearby, even when Bella doesn't see him.
- He's magic, but he's also Bella's friend.
- Kids who spot him have super-amazing eyes.
- In domovoi folklore, house spirits are heard more than seen - that's why Pip loves to play hide and seek.
- His hugs feel warm as sunbeams.
Pip says: "The best gifts come from knowing what lights up someone's heart."
Your challenge: Look for Pip hiding in every Bella Brown book.
Trailer
Purchase
Links
Recent Publications (2022-2025)
1. “Be Kind” by Pat Zietlow Miller & Jen Hill (2018, continued popularity)
- Similarities: Child learning what kindness means through actions, helping others even when it’s difficult, community building through small acts
- Age Range: 4-8 years
- Why It Compares: Both feature children discovering that kindness involves sacrifice and that helping others creates positive ripple effects
2. “Each Kindness” by Jacqueline Woodson & E.B. Lewis (2012, ongoing relevance)
- Similarities: Missed opportunities for kindness, realizing the impact of helping others, classroom setting, character growth through understanding
- Age Range: 5-9 years
- Why It Compares: Both explore how acts of kindness (or lack thereof) affect both giver and receiver, though Each Kindness focuses on regret while Bella’s on positive action
Publications (2019-2021)
3. “Turkey Trot Plot” by Carolyn Keene (Nancy Drew Clue Book #12) (2019)
- Similarities: Turkey Trot race setting, costume contest, Thanksgiving theme, children working together to solve problems
- Age Range: 6-9 years (chapter book)
- Why It Compares: Both feature children participating in Turkey Trot races with costume elements, though Turkey Trot Plot is a mystery while Bella’s focuses on kindness
4. “I Am Thankful” (Positive Power series) by various authors (2019-2021)
- Similarities: Thanksgiving themes, gratitude lessons, helping others, community celebration
- Age Range: 4-8 years
- Why It Compares: Both teach Thanksgiving values through character actions, though I Am Thankful is more educational while Bella’s is narrative-driven
Publications (2015-2018)
5. “Ordinary Mary’s Extraordinary Deed” by Emily Pearson & Fumi Kosaka (2002, continued popularity)
- Similarities: One act of kindness creating ripple effects, community impact, showing how small actions lead to big changes
- Age Range: 4-8 years
- Why It Compares: Both demonstrate how individual acts of kindness multiply and affect entire communities
6. “Have You Filled a Bucket Today?” by Carol McCloud (2006, ongoing popularity)
- Similarities: Teaching kindness through metaphor, classroom application, positive behavior reinforcement, community building
- Age Range: 4-9 years
- Why It Compares: Both books teach children about being kind to others and how kindness benefits everyone involved
Thanksgiving/Gratitude Books
7. “Thanksgiving Is for Giving Thanks” by Gail Gibbons (2004)
- Similarities: Thanksgiving theme, gratitude lessons, community celebration, family values
- Age Range: 4-8 years
- Why It Compares: Both explore Thanksgiving values, though Gibbons focuses on traditional gratitude while Bella’s emphasizes giving to others
8. “Pete the Cat: The First Thanksgiving” by James Dean (2013)
- Similarities: Holiday theme, character learning important lessons, community cooperation, positive resolution
- Age Range: 3-6 years
- Why It Compares: Both feature characters learning valuable life lessons during Thanksgiving celebrations
Competition/Sports Books with Kindness Themes
9. “The Recess Queen” by Alexis O’Neill & Laura Huliska-Beith (2002)
- Similarities: Playground dynamics, turning competition into friendship, standing up for others, conflict resolution
- Age Range: 4-8 years
- Why It Compares: Both show how kindness can transform competitive situations and create positive outcomes
10. “Last Stop on Market Street” by Matt de la Peña & Christian Robinson (2015)
- Similarities: Character learning to see beyond surface differences, community service themes, intergenerational wisdom, helping others
- Age Range: 5-8 years
- Why It Compares: Both feature children learning valuable lessons about helping their community and seeing beyond immediate personal goals
Charity/Helping Others Books
11. “The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein (1964, classic)
- Similarities: Themes of giving and sacrifice, helping others even when it costs something, unconditional love and support
- Age Range: 4-8 years
- Why It Compares: Both explore what it means to give to others, though Giving Tree focuses on one relationship while Bella’s shows community impact
12. “Boxes for Katje” by Candace Fleming & Stacey Dressen-McQueen (2003)
- Similarities: Post-war charity themes, children helping children, community building through giving, long-distance kindness
- Age Range: 6-10 years
- Why It Compares: Both show how charitable giving creates connections and positive change in communities
Running/Race Books for Children
13. “The Tortoise and the Hare” (various modern adaptations)
- Similarities: Race setting, lessons about what truly matters in competition, character learning that winning isn’t everything
- Age Range: 3-8 years (various versions)
- Why It Compares: Both feature races where the outcome teaches lessons about values more important than winning
14. “Run, Dog. Run!” by David McPhail (2005)
- Similarities: Running/racing theme, overcoming obstacles, persistence, friendship support
- Age Range: 3-7 years
- Why It Compares: Both feature characters participating in running events and learning valuable lessons about perseverance
Classroom/School Community Books
15. “Chrysanthemum” by Kevin Henkes (1991)
- Similarities: School setting, children learning to support each other, overcoming teasing, community building
- Age Range: 4-8 years
- Why It Compares: Both show how children can transform negative dynamics into positive community support
16. “The Day You Begin” by Jacqueline Woodson & Rafael López (2018)
- Similarities: School community themes, children learning to connect across differences, courage to help others
- Age Range: 5-8 years
- Why It Compares: Both feature children overcoming hesitation to help others and build stronger communities
