Bellwood Press

Winner of a DeRose-Hinkhouse Memorial Award, honoring excellence in religious communications and public relations.

Readers' Favorite® 5 Star Award Winner

Hazel Scott was a champion for civil and women’s rights. Born in Trinidad in 1920, she moved with her family to the United States in 1924. She was a musical wonder— studying and performing on the piano from the time she was a child. She became an accomplished singer as well, and appeared in Broadway musicals, films, and recorded her own albums. She also made headlines by standing up for the rights of women and African Americans, and she refused to play for segregated audiences. When Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. led the March on Washington, Hazel led a march in Paris, where she was living, in front of the American Embassy. She learned about the Bahá’í Faith from Dizzy Gillespie and became a Bahá’í on December 1, 1968. She passed away in 1981.

We invite you to learn more about this “Change Maker” and the enduring impact she had on race relations through her performing arts.

See other books in the Change Maker Series

See other books in the Change Maker Series

Second grader Tahirih has always loved her name. But when she hears some friends laughing about it and pronouncing it in funny ways, her feelings are hurt and she is filled with self-doubt. With the help of her teacher, she learns about the life of the heroic woman after whom she is named, and realizes she has a choice to make. She can worry about what others think, or she can be brave like her namesake. Join Tahirih as she learns a little history and discovers a lot of courage and strength.

Recipient of a DeRose-Hinkhouse Memorial Award from the Religion Communicators Council, Best in Class and Youth category winner

Recipient of a five-star review from Readers' Favorite Book Awards

John Birks “Dizzy” Gillespie was a jazz musician who pioneered a new style of jazz music, known as bebop, in the 1940s. This book, written for junior youth, chronicles Dizzy’s life, beginning with his childhood in South Carolina, his move to New York City, and his eventual travels around the world. Dizzy Gillespie became a Bahá’í in 1968 and strove to be of service to others through his unique gift in music.

This is the second book in the Change Maker Series, highlighting people connected with the Bahá’í Faith who worked to bring about social change.

See other books in the Change Maker Series

A new board book written by Chelsea Lee Smith and illustrated by Constanze von Kitzing that will help parents and educators introduce the concept of virtues to young children. Children will learn ten virtues as they explore a colorful jungle filled with adorable animals sharing their special virtues with friends. Ideal for children ages 0-4.

Winner of the DeRose-Hinkhouse Award of Excellence from the Religion Communicators Council.

An inspiring biography for middle grade readers!

Robert Sengstacke Abbott (1870-1940) was an influential African American who founded the newspaper The Chicago Defender in 1905, one of the first newspapers written for the African American community. Through the newspaper Abbott strongly encouraged African Americans living in the South to move north. Abbott was instrumental in organizing the Bud Billiken Parade. Abbott became involved in the Bahá’í community late in his life, attracted to the teachings on religious and racial unity.

This is the first book in the newly launched Change Maker Series, highlighting people connected with the Bahá’í Faith who worked to bring about social change.

See other books in the Change Maker Series

Readers' Favorite® 5 Star Award Winner

Gold Award Winner from the Mom’s Choice Awards, named among the best in family-friendly media.

Story Monsters Approved! Honoree in the Cultural Diversity Category

5-Star Review from Readers' Favorite

Sing along with friendly fruit from the Farmers' Market who come in diverse colors, shapes, and sizes. Young children will enjoy exploring what makes these neighbors different, the same, and all so lovable. This hardcover picture book introduces the concepts of unity and diversity through adorable characters and simple, rhyming lyrics. Ideal for children ages 2-5.

"Heartwarming, cheery pictures of jolly singing pears, apples, oranges, grapefruit and plums dance across the pages, inviting a friendly celebration of diversity and joy... Sweet Neighbors Come In All Colors is an 'absofruitly delightful ' song story teaching acceptance of differences and celebration of diversity." —James A. Cox, Midwest Book Review

Visit SweetNeighbors.org to hear the song and watch the video.

Join Kamal as he goes about a typical day in his neighborhood, spending time with his family, attending a neighborhood children's class, visiting an elderly neighbor, playing with his friends, and helping his parents host a study circle. Kamal's Day offers us a glimpse of a young person who is fully engaged in the community-building process, and it is hoped that Kamal will offer families inspiration and encouragement as they strive to be of service in their communities.

Kyle, a little league baseball player, feels torn when he learns that his family's long-awaited pilgrimage date to the Baha'i World Center in Haifa, Israel, is coming up - it will mean his missing the All-Stars game. Although being in Israel is exciting, Kyle can't seem to stop thinking about everything that he's missing at home.

Drawing its inspiration from the Baha'i writings, this book is designed to help families with young children approach the often difficult subject of losing a loved one in a thoughtful and caring manner.

The story of a group of friends who discover what it means to live out one's faith in action and service to the community and come to understand that they themselves can be important agents of change in the world.