Bella Grows a Bicycle

Written Lellie Lopter & illustrated by Chiara Franceschetti

Five Mile Press 2026

Reviewed by Sandy Driessens

Bella wants a bicycle – but her birthday is months away! ‘Bikes are expensive,’ said Dad. ‘Maybe we could grow one.’

Dad gives her a tiny seed. She plants it and waters it and waits. Finally, it grows, but it’s not a bike, it’s a radish. ’That’s not just any radish,’ said Dad. ‘This is a swap-berry!’ …  and so, begins a journey of trading what you have, to get, what you want. Along the way she learns about swapping, recycling and upcycling.

Academic, lecturer and award-winning children’s author, Kellie Coff, writing as Lellie Lopter, has written about a tricky subject here … creating a business to acquire something you desire. Written with simple language, Bella adapts her ‘business’ from sales to swaps and with hard work (cleaning and recycling) eventually upcycles to a bicycle. She has conversations with her customers– children, (Terry, Tabitha, Tina and Tanya) that sound authentic and enthusiastic.

Italian, illustrator Chiara Franceschetti, using bright colours and easily recognizable images, has created a loveable Bella, Dad and little customers. Terry and Tina are repeat customers and their images are recognizable. There is enough detail to see the effort put in to recycling (I like Bella’s tiny tongue sticking out when she concentrates) and the corrections made to her sign when her product changes.

With a cover that makes you think a little of fantasy, this story was a surprise. As an introduction to the concepts of value and trade, to achieve a goal, children may discover that creative thinking, patience and hard work, are needed to realize that goal. Running a shop has always been popular with little ones, but in this story, they create the product through recycling and upcycling. It will appeal to budding entrepreneurs who have a supportive community.