Author, conservationist & Photographer
Imelda Bell
Imelda has experienced the ups and downs of life, including cancer, and she writes from personal experiences. Her aim is to help people through photography and writing, and provide a little comfort where she can.
As well as being an author, Imelda is also a photographer and conservationist, with a love of African wildlife, in particular the rhino and the elephant, as well as all African mammals.
She is a trustee/director for Rhino Revolution UK, using her photography, graphic design and writing skills to help make a difference.
By Imelda Bell
Big Topics for Little People
A series of books explaining difficult topics to young children
This series of stories is written in rhyme and aimed at young children to help them understand topics like Coronavirus, Cancer and even the death of a loved one.
By Imelda Bell
Conservation
As a young child, Imelda attended a film school as an extra curricular activity. As she loved imagery, as well as biology and African wildlife, she expressed an interest in becoming a wildlife film maker. At the time she was told it was not a suitable career for a women and that she would never manage to carry all the necessary kit. She put her dream aside, but the desire to help wildlife remained. Imelda used her photography as a tool to raise awareness of wildlife conservation, and fate intervened when her path became entangled with that of Rhino Revolution UK. This has lead to the creation of some stories for children to raise awareness of poaching and wildlife conservation.
These stories are educational and touch on African culture and beliefs, in the hopes that through this, we can reach the younger generation around game reserves where poaching takes place, by reminding them of their heritage, as well as teaching children throughout the world about the value of our wildlife.
Books
The Nasty Beast Who Wanted to Stay
Cancer is affecting more loves than ever, with reports that 1 in 2 of us will get cancer. This is a scary and confusing time for young children. This story written in rhyme tells the story from a child’s perspective of her mother’s cancer journey.
What to Wear Instead of Hair
“What to Wear Instead of Hair?” is a story for young children about a mother who is bald due to cancer treatment. The child’s ideas for the best hat to wear each presents its own problem and the suggestions get more ridiculous as the story progresses. This is a fun story to help children adapt to a parent with sudden hair loss.
When Grandad Had to go Away
“When Grandad had to go Away” is a story written in rhyme for young children about grief and the loss of a loved one. It explores the emotions and stages of grief and looks at ways to remember someone.
The Little Germ who Travelled the World
A book for childrenabout Coronavirus, explaining the importance of handwashing and social distancing.Written in rhyme for young children to teach them about diseases and viruses.
The Stubborn Little Germ who Wouldn’t go Away
The Little Germ continues to spread around the world and changes life as we knew it.
This story, written in rhyme, is the next chapter in the story of the Little Germ Who Travelled the World and looks at how life has changed with social distancing and the things we need to do to stop germs spreading.
Walking with Rhinos
This story is based on the life of James Mwenda, who was one of the caretakers of Sudan, the last male northern white rhino who lived at Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya. It looks at James’ journey from a young boy watching tourists pass by on their way to see animals on safari to becoming a rhino care giver for the last of a species.
Written in rhyme for children, but enjoyable and informative, with questions and answers by James included.
A percentage of profits from the book will go Helping Rhinos and Ol Pejeta Conservancy.
Mhelembe, the Rhino Totem
This story explores the ancient idea of totems or spirit animals common in many populations throughout the world and centres around the rescue of an orphaned rhino. It is based on the real, ongoing work of Rhino Revolution, a rhino orphanage and rehabilitation centre in South Africa, who care for not only rhinos, but pangolins too. Their mission is to rescue, rehabilitate and release.It is through the children living throughout the world, that we can build the foundation for a better and caring future for our wildlife and the planet as a whole. When nature and the wild are happy and strong, so are people, because we are all part of the land we share. Join the revolution and make this reality.This book was created pro bono and all profits will go directly to Rhino Revolution to help at grassroots level, where it is needed most.
Mhelembe, A Rhino Tale
This story written in rhyme for children age 3 to 8 is based on Mhelembe, the Rhino Totem.
It centres around 2 African children who discover a rhino orphan on their walk home from school one day. It follows the journey of the baby rhino and the children and is based on the real, ongoing work of Rhino Revolution, a rhino orphanage and rehabilitation centre in South Africa, which cares for not only rhinos, but pangolins too.
Did you ever see a Pangolin?
‘Did you ever see a pangolin? ‘ is a fun book written in rhyme to teach children about this endangered species. Returning to the values and folklore of ancestors, it helps to remind us of the true worth of the world’s most trafficked animal.
Facing the Monster
In “Facing the Monster” Imelda shares not only her emotional photographs, but also her diary, in the hopes that she can show people that you can still live while having treatment for cancer.
Imelda eventually started taking photos of other people with cancer and they each share some of their experience to accompany the photo, which Imelda took of them.
WHEN GRANDAD HAD TO GO AWAY
This book explains the heartbreak of losing a much loved grandad in a way that a child can relate to. It also offers hope and comfort and suggests ways that he can still be felt here. It also talks about keeping his memory alive.
I thoroughly recommend this book to anyone who has lost their grandad (or dad 😉).
– Amazon Customer
THE LITTLE GERM WHO TRAVELLED THE WORLD
What an amazing little book, so glad I got this. Perfect for little peoples ears, I’d of given 6* if I could!
– Ashleigh
THE NASTY BEAST WHO WANTED TO STAY
What a wonderful book, explaining to young children dealing with a difficult subject. The author explains what is happening to mum and how a child might feel in a simple but clear way. Treatment is spoken about including their side effects. Highly recommended for young children coping with a parent with cancer.