Catherine Stier - I Am Bella, Star of the Show

A lot can happen in a dogs day.

Bella is a Jack Russell terrier who was born to steal the show. She may be small, but her personality jumps off the screen. Bella has already appeared in commercials, and lately, shes been practicing for what her owner says will be her big break.

But when her time in the spotlight arrives, shes asked to share the stage with her slobbery German shepherd brother, Chewy. And Bella finds out theres more than one way to be a star.

Albert Whitman & Co.

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Jacket art copyright 2020 by Albert Whitman & Company

With love to my kind aunt and godmother, Patricia LaPrise. Your creativity has always inspired me!CS

To Lorenzo, Stefano, and Silvia. My favorite actors.FR

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication data is on file with the publisher.

Text copyright 2020 by Catherine Stier

Illustrations copyright 2020 by Albert Whitman & Company

Illustrations by Francesca Rosa

First published in the United States of America in 2020 by Albert Whitman & Company

ISBN 978-0-8075-1673-7 (hardcover)

ISBN 978-0-8075-1674-4 (ebook)

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Printed in the United States of America

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Design by Rick DeMonico

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Something is up today. From the tip of my nose to the end of my tail, I can feel excitement in the house this morning. Chewy doesnt seem to notice. Hes still curled up in his big doggy bed in the kitchen, snoring away. Typical.

Chewy and I were both adopted years ago from the animal shelter by the Jameson family. I was a full-grown dog that no one else seemed to want when Mom, Dad, and their son, Aidan, brought me home. By breed, I am a Jack Russell terriermostly.

I was adopted first, and I can tell you, I didnt mind being the only dog in the house. A while later, the Jamesons brought home a German shepherd puppy. Even then, Chewy loved to sleep in, eat, and chew on things. That last part is how he got his name. When he was a pup, there were lots of ruined shoes around the house.

And my name? Well, not to brag, but Ive been told Bella means beautiful in some languages. I happen to think its a name that suits me just fine.

When Chewy came to live with us, he was already bigger than me, and he just kept growing. Im little, the smallest of my litter, but Im very mature. Chewy still acts like a sloppy, silly puppy, even though hes full-grown. We are just about as different as two dogs can be, but we have one thing in common: Mom calls us her star dogs. Thats because we work in whats called show businessor showbiz, for short.

Both Mom and Aidan are up early this morning. Im guessing all the hustle and bustle means one of us dogs will be heading out to film with Mom today.

How about some breakfast, Bella? Then you and I can work on training a bit before I leave for school, Aidan says as he comes into the kitchen.

An early breakfast? Without Chewy? Thats fine with me. Maybe Ill get to enjoy my food in peace. And I know that word training means lots of attention, treats, and praise. Im on board with that too. I pick up the soft scrap of fabric Mom calls my blankie and prance in circles to show Aidan my happiness with his plans.

As soon as Chewy hears the sound of food being poured into my bowl, though, hes up and alert, and comes to check things out.

Okay, Chewy, you can have your breakfast too. Aidan laughs as he fills Chewys bowl.

Chewy does not prance prettily like me. He dives in and devours his food, sending nuggets bouncing from the bowl. Typical.

I, on the other paw, drop my blankie and nibble neatly at my meal.

Chewy and I get along all right, usually. But honestly, I dont see why he gets to go on more filming jobs with Mom than me. I mean, hes smart, I guess, but hes also loud and messy sometimes and so immature.

Dont take it personally, Bella, Mom told me once as she left with Chewy. Its just that Chewy can play a police dog or guard dog. And lately, there have been lots of shows and movies filming here in Atlanta that call for big dogs.

Your chance will come, she added. Youre pint-sized, but packed with personality!

Okay, I admit Chewy can look tough and heroic. But I still dont get why Im not cast more often. After all, Mom is right about my oversize personality. And Im a triple threat: Im cute, clever, and never miss a cueor a command!

Once Im done with breakfast, I glance at Chewy. Of all the nerve! He has my fuzzy mouse toy clamped in his teeth! I march over and tug it out of his mouth.

Play with your own toys, big guy! I think as I sashay away.

Chewy doesnt grumble. He just goes and finds one of his own big chew bones. As he should!

Then Aidan calls me over to a corner of the kitchen.

Hey, Bella! he says. If were going to get our new trick right, and if Im going to be a professional dog trainer like Mom someday, we both need plenty of practice.

Aidan has everything set up on the kitchen floor, ready to go. Theres a little toy saucer, a plastic teacup, and a cleanup rag. Theres a pitcher of cool water to refill the teacup. Also, Aidan has a handful of treatsI can smell them!

I drop my mouse toy and prance in circles with excitement. I know what all this means. Its time for me to show off my talents!

I scurry over next to Aidan, who is standing near the toy teacup.

First, Aidan says the word sit. Thats easy. I learned that ages ago. I let my rump fall to the floor, and Aidan makes a little noise with the clicker he holds in his hand. Whenever I hear the sound of the click, I know Ive done the action right, and a reward is coming.