Gelli Belle and The Lazy Lion is a fun and playful children’s book! Book two in the Series introduces the readers to “Larry” a lazy lion who is perfectly content sleeping his day away. 

Can Gelli convince Larry that there is more to life than sleeping? Can she convince him to enjoy life and the fun things in it?  Gelli Belle and the Lazy Lion reminds us that life is beautiful and worth living and enjoying!

Gelli Belle and the Lazy Lion, (Book 2 of the Gelli Belle Series) written and created by Vernae Bezear and illustrated by Jozcel Fernandez and Christina Rudenko, is a children's picture book that revolves around a little girl and a sentient stuffed toy with little interest in moving from the comfort of the toy chest.

Gelli wakes up to a beautiful new day with all the hope and wonder that most young children have. She is ready to play and select a companion to join in on the fun. Asleep in a chest is a lion who is determined not to play with Gelli, no matter how enticing her promises of what the day might bring for them both. The story is written in a lyrical, rhythmic narrative with illustrations that blend real-world photography and digital sketching in a colorful, mixed medium design.

Vernae Bezear is an Author, Wife, and Mother. She has worked professionally in the field of education for over 20 years. She is currently an Instructional Coach and certified Reading Recovery Specialist within the New York City Department of Education.

Vernae created the Gelli Belle Books as a fun means of teaching her daughter Angelica (and all children) valuable lessons about life and emotions to help them feel a greater sense of identity within our ever-changing world.

Diversity and Representation matter, and as a member of the New Teacher Center Equity Commission, Vernae has poured her vast experience with children, education, and social-emotional learning into being a part of their mission, to re-center the humanity of educators, families, students, and communities, and to create new systems which create equitable results for everyone.

The Gelli Belle series focuses on such themes as the managing of emotions, making responsible decisions, and having higher levels of empathy and self-awareness.  Gelli Belle and The Magic Toy Chest is the first book of the series and the beginning of everything!