Umber and Belina

Description

Release Date: April 7, 2026. Any orders placed before this date will ship by release date! 

Umber and Belina (hardcover)

Written by Alexandra Ng

Illustrated by Brigid Malloy

ABOUT THE BOOK

Meet Umber, the sweet family dog who has many loves… but also many fears, including the smooth, slippery kitchen floor. While the living room carpet feels cozy and safe, the kitchen floor leaves Umber feeling anxious, left out, and downright terrified.

One quiet afternoon, Umber unexpectedly meets Belina, a tiny bumblebee who is a little bit lost. When Umber wants to help, but feels frozen by fear, Belina shares an important lesson that helped her when learning to fly: big challenges are easier when you take small steps.

With gentle encouragement from a new friend (and some courage of her own), Umber begins to face her fear one step at time – quite literally.

Inspired by real events, Umber and Belina is an encouraging picture book about perseverance, kindness, and overcoming our fears through patience and self-belief. Perfect for young readers who face big feelings, this story teaches that even the smallest steps can lead to something great.

Author Alexandra Ng lives in Raleigh, North Carolina, with her husband and their three little boys. She is a former middle school special education teacher with a deep appreciation for the way children imagine and learn. When she’s not writing, Alexandra can usually be found with her nose in a book, enjoying a warm cup of coffee, extra vanilla creamer required.