This article about emotional intelligence and reading was provided by Angela Legh.
The Children’s Book Review

Reading fiction books is known to promote empathy by pulling the readers into the world of the characters and giving them insight into their thoughts and feelings. Unlike in the real world, where we do not know what is going on in the minds of others, the insider viewpoint we gain through books helps the reader see and understand the perspectives of others.

The Reading Agency in Australia commissioned a report entitled “The Impact of Reading for Pleasure and Empowerment.” Their findings state, “There is strong evidence reading for pleasure can increase empathy, improve relationships with others, reduce the symptoms of depression and the risk of dementia, and improve wellbeing throughout life.”

A great quote about reading is credited to Albert Einstein, who reportedly said, “If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales.” Of course, I love this quote, as the author of fairytales!

My children’s series, the Bella Santini Chronicles, has been praised for delivering emotional wisdom wrapped up in an engaging story that keeps kids interested. The series seeks to implant the understanding in readers that every child is magical, and the magic they carry is the love in their hearts. These books engage, enlighten, and empower children to move through life with grace and ease.

The Bella Santini Chronicles features an ordinary teen girl who discovers she is extraordinary, a villain desperate to take control of the world, and a Queen hiding a secret. This classic tale of good vs. evil, where Bella Santini, the chosen one destined to rid the world of evil, is pitted against her evil Aunt Ginekei, with the fate of the Fae world at risk. 

This fast-paced fantasy adventure story is for readers aged 8-12. The series is packed with emotional intelligence, encouraging children to face their painful feelings, shift out of perspectives that do not serve them and let go of blaming others.

So how does this series teach emotional intelligence? In the first book, a chapter is dedicated to learning how to maneuver through emotions. Bella, the main character, is on a mission to recover a relic. She convinces her new friend, Torvieto, to help her; they travel through a dimensional portal to another world . . . a land called Emovia, where the “people” are feelings. The two characters must figure out how to navigate sadness, fear, and other heavy feelings. They discuss different coping mechanisms, each instructing the other to follow a particular method of coping.

In book two, Bella finds out her whole life was a lie; she feels betrayed and abandoned. The Fae encourage Bella to express her feelings and explain why expression is essential. Different coping mechanisms are discussed and utilized by the characters, which empower children to model this behavior through the adversity they face in their lives.

Each book in the series builds upon the lessons presented in the previous book. By layering the emotional intelligence tools, strategies, and techniques throughout the series, children absorb and remember how to master the art of facing their most powerful emotions.

I would like to end with a quote that illustrates the importance of emotional intelligence. Marc Brackett, the founder of the Yale Center for emotional intelligence, stated, “My message for everyone is the same: that if we can learn to identify, express, and harness our feelings, even the most challenging ones, we can use those emotions to help us create positive, satisfying lives.” —  Marc Brackett.

About the Books

The Bella Santini Chronicles, a fairytale series aimed at ages 8-12, teaches children the importance of processing their emotions and gives them tools to process their feelings. The book series delves into complex topics, such as child abandonment, bullying, sibling rivalry, and good vs. evil. Readers build emotional muscles and set a path of well-being that can help them navigate the difficult teen years without seeing suicide as a solution to their problems.

Bella Santini in the Land of Everlasting Change

Written by Angela Legh

Illustrated by Whitnee Nixon

Ages 8-12 | 204 Pages

Publisher: Waterside Productions | ISBN-13: 9781954968080

Publisher’s Synopsis: An ordinary teen girl stumbles into a fairy ceremony; is arrested and brought to the fairy kingdom, the Land of Everlasting Change, a land caught in the struggle between good and evil, where Queen Tatiana fights to keep the balance of power from tipping. Queen Tatiana spreads the message of the truth of fairyland, that fairies are emissaries of love. This gripping tale in a magical land crosses time and dimensions, bringing readers on a journey of self-discovery.

This book series seeks to plant seeds of wellness into every child’s hearts and minds who reads or has the books read to them. The seeds planted are unconditional love, inner peace, and emotional self-mastery.

Buy the Book

Bella Santini in the Troll War

Written by Angela Legh

Illustrated by Whitnee Nixon

Ages 8-12 | 204 Pages

Publisher: Waterside Productions | ISBN-13: 9781956503203

Publisher’s Synopsis: In The Land of Everlasting Change, Bella Santini is an ordinary girl who was spirited away to the land of the Fae. She completed her admission trials and was initiated into Yelimoon fairy school. Her nemesis Novaq continues his campaign to get her thrown out of the school. Under the cover of darkness, Novaq and friends conspire to kidnap Bella and deliver her to Ginekei, who will banish Bella from the kingdom.

Her friends Shibohna, Matteus, and Torvieto, race to her rescue. Together, they use their collective wisdom to foil the kidnappers. However, the rescue party is unable to return to Yelimoon School. A trek through the night brings them to Thessaeria, where Bella learns the truth about who she is.

Meanwhile, the Trolls, under the direction of Ginekei, lead an attack on Fae cities. The balance between light and dark is at risk in the Fae realm. Who is Bella, and what will become of her?
Bella Santini in the Troll War is book two of the Bella Santini Chronicles series. This book series seeks to plant seeds of wellness into the hearts and minds of every child who reads or has the books read to them. The seeds planted are unconditional love, inner peace, and emotional self-mastery.

Buy the Book

About the Author

Angela Legh grew up in San Francisco, CA. She learned from her father that men were people to fear, and that anger is bad. She learned from her mother how to love unconditionally. For the first 54 years of her life, Angela was bullied, first by her father, then by the man she married. In both stages of her life, a fire caused the family to break up. The first fire, when she was five, resulted in the children being sent away for months while her parents sought housing. The second fire, a disastrous California wildfire, caused Angela to question her choices in life; leave her marriage, and seek to find herself. Angela is now an author and self-development mentor.

Her children’s book series, The Bella Santini Chronicles, has received high praise and is known for helping children learn how to manage their emotions.

For more information, visit https://angelalegh.com.

Thanks for following along with us on Angela Legh’s The Bella Santini Chronicles awareness tour!