For every child who has ever felt too much and has never quite known why.
The Bella Santini Chronicles is a middle-grade fantasy series that guides children in understanding and processing their emotions, navigating social challenges, and building compassion for themselves and others.
Some stories entertain. Others help children understand themselves, understand others, and understand the choices that shape their lives. The Bella Santini Chronicles does both.
Ready for the adventure? Bella's world for kids is waiting at BellaSantini.com
Ages 8 – 14
Middle-Grade Fantasy
Emotional Resilience Themes
Aligned with CASEL Social-Emotional Learning competencies
Start with Book One—and open the door to a magical path of transformation.
If you’re looking for a story that helps your child understand their emotions while staying fully engaged, this is where to begin.
More than fantasy, these stories invite students into the space between feeling and reacting. Through adventure, dragons, and trials, readers discover emotional awareness, leadership, and the power of thoughtful choice.
Bella Santini in the Land of Everlasting Change
Book One of The Bella Santini Chronicles
Bella Santini has always felt as though she is experiencing a different world than the people around her. She notices things others miss, feels emotions deeply, and often wonders why life seems so much easier for everyone else. While other children appear to move through the world with confidence, Bella is still trying to understand where she belongs.
When a trail of glowing lights leads her into the woods one evening, Bella finds herself swept into the Land of Everlasting Change, a magical realm filled with fairies, hidden mysteries, and forces far older than she can imagine. What begins as an adventure quickly becomes something far more complicated when she finds herself caught in events she does not understand and accused of things she did not do.
Before she has a chance to learn the rules of this strange new world, Bella is brought before powerful fairy rulers, separated from everything familiar, and forced to navigate a realm where appearances can be deceiving, and trust is not easily earned. As she struggles to make sense of shifting friendships, unexpected betrayals, and a world determined to define her before it truly knows her, Bella begins to discover that understanding herself may be the greatest challenge of all.
Filled with fairy magic, hidden realms, friendship, adventure, and wonder, Bella Santini in the Land of Everlasting Change is the first book in the award-winning Bella Santini Chronicles, a middle-grade fantasy series for readers ages 8–14.
Bella's story speaks especially to thoughtful children, sensitive readers, and anyone who has ever felt misunderstood, excluded, or uncertain of where they fit. Loved by parents, educators, and librarians, the series invites readers into a magical world while exploring friendship, belonging, identity, and the emotional challenges of growing up through the safety and wonder of story.
If your child has ever felt misunderstood, uncertain, or different, Bella's journey may feel like coming home.
Inside this story, your child will explore
- Resilience in motion: What it truly looks like to keep going when things feel impossible
- Identity and belonging: Finding your place when you feel different from everyone around you
- Emotional courage: The difference between performing bravery and feeling it from within
- Trust in self: Learning to believe your own instincts even when the world feels uncertain
- The power of friendship: Navigating loyalty, hurt, and genuine connection
This book was made for
- Sensitive readers who have ever felt too much, too deeply, or out of place
- Children moving through change: a new school, a new home, a friendship lost
- Parents and educators looking for stories that do more than entertain
- Anyone who has ever needed proof that quiet, thoughtful children carry extraordinary strength
Bella Santini in the Troll War
Book Two of the Bella Santini Chronicles Series
"A remarkable, heroic protagonist — a colorfully written work in a fantastical world that young and old readers will enjoy." - Kirkus Reviews
For the first time in her life, Bella Santini felt as though she belonged. At Yelimoon Fairy School, that feeling is about to be tested.
A bully seems determined to make her life miserable. Beyond the school walls, an army of trolls is gathering, shadows are spreading across the land, and her aunt Ginekei seems determined to stir fear, suspicion, and unrest wherever she goes. As friendships are tested and danger grows with every passing day, Bella finds herself caught in a conflict that threatens both the fairy and human worlds.
But the deeper Bella journeys into the chaos, the more she begins to discover that every person carries a story she cannot see. Friends, enemies, trolls, and even bullies are not always who they first appear to be. As she struggles to protect those she loves, Bella must learn to look beyond fear, assumptions, and appearances to uncover the truth hidden beneath them.
Filled with fairy magic, adventure, friendship, mystery, trolls, wraiths, and unforgettable characters, Bella Santini in the Troll War is the award-winning second book in The Bella Santini Chronicles, a middle-grade fantasy series for readers ages 8–14.
Perfect for readers who love magical worlds, fantasy adventures, and stories with heart, Bella's journey speaks especially to thoughtful children, sensitive readers, and anyone who has ever wondered why people hurt one another.
Bella's journey invites readers into an unforgettable adventure where first impressions rarely tell the whole story.
Inside this story, your child will explore
- Standing up to bullies: What real courage looks like when someone is determined to see you fail
- Betrayal and loyalty: Navigating the people closest to you when trust is broken
- Love as strength: Why an open heart is the most powerful weapon in any battle
- Identity under pressure: Staying true to who you are when the world demands otherwise
- Facing what feels impossible and discovering what you are truly made of
This book was made for:
- Children navigating friendship challenges, bullying, or social conflict
- Readers beginning to discover that people are rarely as simple as heroes and villains
- Parents and educators looking for meaningful conversations about empathy, inclusion, and understanding
- Anyone learning that compassion often starts by seeing beyond appearances
Princess Bella Visits the Dragon's Lair
Book Three of the Bella Santini Chronicles Series
Every choice teaches us something about ourselves.
When Bella Santini's mother decides it is time for her to choose dragon protectors, Bella travels to the dragon realm of Moonemberly. There, she encounters ancient dragons, breathtaking landscapes, and traditions that have guided the realm for generations.
Some dragons appear powerful. Others appear wise. As Bella spends time in the dragon realm, she begins to discover that appearances alone cannot guide her decisions. Choosing well requires patience, discernment, and a willingness to look deeper than what first meets the eye.
But when danger rises from the Plains of Despair, Bella's choices carry consequences she never expected. Faced with uncertainty, mistakes, and difficult decisions, she must learn to trust her judgment even when the answers are unclear and the path forward is uncertain.
Filled with dragons, adventure, friendship, magic, and unforgettable discoveries, Princess Bella Visits the Dragon's Lair is the award-winning third book in The Bella Santini Chronicles, a middle-grade fantasy series for readers ages 8–14.
Perfect for readers who love dragons, magical worlds, and stories with heart, Bella's journey reminds us that wisdom is not about always getting things right. It is about what we choose to do next.
Inside this story, your child will explore
- Discernment and wise choosing: How to see past appearances and trust what you truly know
- Power and its shadow: Understanding that strength without awareness can cause harm
- Inner steadiness: Making consequential decisions from a place of calm, not pressure
- True partnership: Why humility and mutual trust matter more than dominance
- Becoming yourself: What it means to grow into your own authority, quietly and completely
This book was made for:
- Children learning to trust their judgment when the answers are not obvious
- Readers who are discovering that mistakes can become powerful teachers
- Parents and educators looking for stories that encourage discernment, responsibility, and forgiveness
- Anyone learning that wisdom is not about always getting things right, but about choosing what to do next
For Parents
Continue the conversation beyond the story with a free Parent Guide that explores the themes, lessons, and discussion opportunities woven throughout each book.
Explore the World of Bella Santini Online
Step beyond the pages and into Bella's world. BellaSantini.com is more than a companion to the books. It is a place where children can continue the journey of self-discovery, explore magical worlds, and uncover the timeless lessons hidden within Bella's adventures.
Self Love Journal
90 days of self-reflection, healing, and kindness — for your child, for yourself, or for both.
The Self-Love Journal is a gentle, 90-day journey designed to help you or your child build a loving inner voice and nurture a deeper connection with your heart.
Each day, you’ll receive a journaling prompt for self-reflection and emotional growth. These guided exercises invite you to:
Release self-criticism and see yourself through the eyes of compassion
Let go of the weight of others’ judgments
Celebrate your successes and record your self-care actions
Set meaningful goals and witness your personal growth unfold
By the end of 90 days, you’ll hold a written record of your strengths, dreams, and the resilient heart within you — a keepsake of healing, hope, and self-discovery.
"Bella Santini in the Land of Everlasting Change by Angela Legh is a must-have for young readers, offering them an engaging, highly educational, and empowering read. It contains beautiful illustrations and fantasy elements like an alternate world, magic, fairies, a gargoyle, and trolls, and themes of sibling rivalry, bullying, control, bigotry, friendship, and good vs. evil. Through this story and its tools, children can learn to process their feelings and emotions, the importance of never doubting themselves, never letting go of
the magic within them, and never judging others based on appearance, as there's always more to them than what is on the surface. I highly recommend this middle-grade fantasy to parents as well." – Emma M. Reader's Favorite
"The adventures are exciting but age-appropriate. Bella and her friends are learning they have inner strength and love for each other and can conquer all problems and roadblocks thrown in their way. The world Bella finds herself in is magical, inspiring, and even believable! I loved this book as an adult; I can imagine how inspiring and empowering a young person will find this book. The covers are eye-catching, and the illustrations are engaging and help tell the story as we join Bella’s adventure to figure out this strange world, she is experiencing without her parents to guide her." – Jan Rose F. JR's Book Reviews
"My 9 year old daughter and I were engaged in the first couple pages of Bella Santini. We were taken on a steady moving adventure of a girl realizing she was magical, capable, while being fed empowering life techniques to move through feelings of fear, sadness and even joy. I highly recommend this book to all who love adventure, fairies, and magic. We can’t wait for the next book. I bought a copy for my daughter’s teacher, to share with her students. As we need adventures that build us up." – Anna G.
"My wife and I shared this with my 8-year-old niece and she loved the story and its characters. The plus is that it also helps kids deal with emotional intelligence. Can't wait for the next one." – Simon H.
"As an adult who has loved fantasy since I first discovered the Chronicles of Narnia at age 10, I really loved this book. Bella's story is magical, but also grounded in the realities we all face as we journey towards acceptance of ourselves and our special gifts. Highly recommend for all age groups, and can't wait for the next book in the series!!!" – LTP
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is The Bella Santini Chronicles about?
A: It’s a children’s fantasy series that uses magical stories to teach emotional resilience and self-worth. The books help kids explore big emotions in a safe, fun way.
Q: Who is this book series for?
A: Kids ages 8–14, especially those who enjoy fantasy adventures and stories that help them understand their emotions. Parents and educators also find value in the emotional growth themes.
Q: How does the book teach emotional resilience?
A: Through storytelling. Each book includes emotional lessons woven into the characters’ experiences, helping children learn to express and manage their feelings in a healthy way. Additionally, each book comes with a companion parenting guide and teacher's guide to help adults understand and support the emotional themes explored.
Q: Do I need to read the books in order?
A: Yes, the story builds across the series, so it’s best to start with Book 1 to follow Bella’s full journey. Each successive book deepens emotional understanding, allowing a child’s emotional growth to continue throughout the series.
Q: Are there any companion resources for parents or teachers?
A: Yes! Free guides and lesson plans are available on Angela Legh’s website to help adults support children’s emotional development alongside the books.