Casey and Bella Go To New York City [Hardcover]

Jane Lovascio (Author), Aija Jasuna (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 15, 2008 | Age Level: 2 and up

Casey and Bella Go To New York City is the first book in a series about the adventures of Casey, a Jack Russell Terrier and Bella, a Tea Cup Yorkie. In their first book, the furry duo embarks on a fun filled adventure meeting colorful characters and teaching them one of life s most important lessons: treat others as you would like to be treated. Children can follow Casey and Bella's paw prints through their adventures and learn from the positive messages promoted within the text. Stories of the dogs provide entertainment for curious little minds and allow them to wonder: where will Casey and Bella go next? What makes Casey and Bella's story so unique is it s affiliation with a very special charity called Loving Paws Assistance Dogs. The charity, founded in 1993, dedicates itself to training dogs to assist those children that are physically disabled. A portion of the proceeds from every book sold on Casey and Bella's website will go to Loving Paws.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Casey and Bella haven't been recognized on the promenade along the Hudson River outside of their West New York home. No one has asked for their autograph or a picture. They're not hounded by the puparazzi. At least not yet. Casey, a 4-year-old Jack Russell terrier, and Bella, a 3-year-old teacup Yorkie, are the stars of the children's story "Casey and Bella Go to New York City," the first book by Jane Lovascio, a medical sales representative. The dogs, who have already appeared at numerous bookstores, will accompany Lovascio to an 11 a.m. Saturday book reading and signing at Bookends in Ridgewood. In the book, the dogs take the ferry to Manhattan and visit Central Park, the zoo, Chelsea and a toy store, all while meeting numerous furry friends and learning life lessons about friendship. Casey plays the older, more mature dog foil to feisty Bella, who comes up with the idea to take an adventure across the river not long after being brought home from the store. Their fictional roles match their real-life personalities. Casey is calm and agreeable, whereas Bella is energetic and slightly temperamental, letting out a low growl when she sees other dogs on the waterfront. (Both are fine with people, Lovascio says.) Lovascio, who lived in Hoboken when she wrote the book, says the idea for the story developed over time. There was no real "aha!" moment. Instead, finding a pursuit outside of her regular job was a lesson in trial and error. "I can make cute dog collars," she recalls thinking. She made 50, which she wound up giving away. A book proved to be a much better fit for the 28-year-old Lovascio, who graduated in 2001 with a degree in elementary education from Boston University. She remembers thinking, "Why don't I just write a story? I love kids, and I love dogs." The book, which Lovascio says appeals most to children ages 4 to 6, is colorfully illustrated and rhymes. After meeting a snooty poodle from Central Park West who tells the dogs that it "wears a diamond collar and always smell my best," Casey tells Bella that "it doesn't matter where you live or what you wear. What makes you a good friend is being generous and fair." Perhaps more important to her than the book's success and message is the fact that $2 from each book purchased on caseyandbel la.com goes to Loving Paws Assistance Dogs, a non-profit organization that matches trained dogs to disabled children. "I'm not doing this for a quick buck," she says. "I really want to pay it forward." Keeping it small-scale. In fact, she's so focused on making as much money for charity as she can that for now, she's eschewing having larger retailers such as amazon.com and Barnes & Noble carry her book. "I want caseyandbella.com to be the first Web site that comes up when people search online," she says, therefore ensuring that the charity makes as much money as possible. She says that the subject matter of the book is particularly relevant for suburban New Jersey children, who have most likely traveled the ferry and visited Manhattan destinations. --Daily News

"Casey and Bella Go to New York City" (Big Tent Books ), by Jane Lovascio, illustrated by Aija Jasuna. Cute idea, nice illustrations - but imperfect execution of a kids' picture book about the N.Y.C. adventures of two affable puppies. While the author makes a point of announcing up front that they are donating some of the proceeds to Loving Paws Assistance Dogs, a worthy charity that pairs developmentally disabled kids with animals, several pages into the book we find that one of the new pups is bought from a pet shop - thus missing a golden opportunity to enlighten children on the importance of adopting homeless animals from shelters, or buying a dog from a breeder. --Daily News

About the Author

Jane Lovascio is a Boston University graduate with a Bachelor s Degree in psychology. She lives just outside of New York City in Hoboken, New Jersey with her husband Jeff. Among writing her series of children's books, Jane also works as a medical sales representative. Her past experience in elementary education combined with her passion for children and dogs inspired the creation of what will become a series of children's books based on her two dogs, Casey and Bella. She hopes that her vibrant story not only brings smiling faces to children everywhere, but also helps those with degenerative diseases.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 2 and up
  
• Hardcover: 24 pages
• Publisher: Big Tent Books; 1st edition (July 15, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1601310072
• ISBN-13: 978-1601310071
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.6 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,199,489 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jane Lovascio was born and raised in Brooklyn NY, but now lives just outside of New York City with her husband Jeff and two dogs, Casey and Bella.

While studying Elementary Education at Boston U, her love for animals combined with her desire to help children, inspired the creation of a children's book series based on her own two dogs, Casey and Bella!

Casey, is a kind, playful, but slightly neurotic Jack Russell Terrier... and Bella is a mischievous, free-spirited, but loving Tea Cup Yorkie. They are the real life characters of a series created For Kids & By Kids to teach children anything is possible when they believe in themselves, have a positive attitude, and stay in school!

Each year through the Casey and Bella National Writing Contest a child becomes a published author and thousands are recognized for their efforts! From September to April... Third, Fourth, and Fifth grade students write and submit their own creative ideas for Casey and Bella's next big adventure, and the child who wins becomes a published author! The student then gets to launch his/her book at the nearest Barnes and Noble with the real Casey and Bella there to support the young author. Last year's winner, 10 yr. old Anna of NH is becoming a published author on Saturday, January 14th at 2PM with her story, Casey and Bella Face Their First Bully! The story deals with 4 different types of bullying, how to respond to it, and is being offered as a FREE ibook on itunes along with a FREE Casey and Bella App!!

Jane's long-term goal is to start The Casey and Bella Foundation for underprivileged children to bring food, supplies, and hope to children families who need it the most! For more info, please go to: www.CaseyandBella.com & www.CuddlyBooks.com
Casey and Bella Free App for Ipad & Free Anti-Bully Book on ibooks & itunes!
@CaseyandBella on Twitter & Facebook!
Casey and Bella Believe in You!!!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great new series for kids!, June 4, 2009

By 

K. Callender (Connecticut. USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Casey and Bella Go To New York City (Hardcover)

In Casey and Bella Go To New York City, Casey meets Bella when Jane and Jeff bring her home from a nearby shelter. They become fast friends and head out on adventure that brings them from Hoboken, New Jersey to New York City. While they explore the busy city they meet new friends and learn important lessons about having good manners and how to treat others.

I love the message and the illustrations in this story!

5.0 out of 5 stars Casey and Bella Go to New York City, December 27, 2011

By 

ChildrensBookReviews - See all my reviews

This review is from: Casey and Bella Go To New York City (Hardcover)

This is the first book which begins the series of great books about 2 real dogs by Jane Lovascio! Casey and Bella sneak out to NYC, make new friends, and learn important lessons such as, It doesn't matter where you live or what you wear, all that matters is being generous and fair! Also, Casey teaches a Poodle the Golden Rule, To Treat others the way you want to be treated! This is such an important lesson with bullying being such a big issue.

The author has done a wonderful job creating a book series which engages children, fosters their creativity through an annual writing contest, and helps children become published authors! The author also help not-for-profit children's charities and has visited over 400 schools for free! To learn more about the free anti-bullying curriculum for K-5 aligned with Common Core Standards, Free Anti-bully book, Casey and Bella Face Their First Bully by 10 yr. old NH student who won last year's Casey and Bella Writing Contest, and free anti-bully DVD, go to (...)