Frequently asked questions
Anything not answered here — hello@rubenbellbooks.com reaches me directly.
- Do the books need to be read in any particular order?
No. Every story stands completely on its own, and none of them depend on another. That is deliberate, so that you can start wherever your child happens to be right now rather than wherever a series happens to begin.
- Why can't I see the other titles?
Fifty stories are written. They are released one at a time, when each one is finished and illustrated — and announced when it is. If you would like to know when the next one lands, there is a sign-up on every world page.
- What age are these for?
They are written for children aged four to eight. Younger children enjoy them read aloud; older ones usually read them alone and then want to talk about the ending. The vocabulary is deliberately light, and the stories run about five minutes read aloud.
- What is the difference between the paperback and the ebook?
The paperback is an 8.5 × 8.5 inch square book, full colour throughout, 34 pages, printed for you when you order it.
The ebook is the same book as a fixed-layout PDF, with the same illustrations and the same page design. It is meant for reading on a tablet or a laptop rather than a phone.
- How is the ebook delivered?
A download link is emailed to you as soon as the payment goes through. The link works for 72 hours and allows up to five downloads, which is enough to save it on more than one device.
If it expires before you get to it, email me and I will send a new one. That is not a problem and you do not have to explain yourself.
- How long does delivery take?
Every paperback is printed when it is ordered, so there are two parts to the wait: [PRINTING TIME — NOT YET CONFIRMED] and then the shipping time for your part of the world. [DELIVERY TIMES PER ZONE — NOT YET CONFIRMED]
Shipping is charged separately at checkout and shown before you pay.
- Are these books therapy?
No, and they are not a substitute for professional support.
They are picture books. What they offer is a way in — a story you have both just read, a character to point at, and a few open questions that do not sound like an interrogation. If something in your child's life needs more than a conversation, it needs more than a book.
- Can schools, preschools and libraries order?
Yes. Get in touch at hello@rubenbellbooks.com and tell me roughly how many copies and for what setting — I will come back to you with what is possible.
- Are the books available in other languages?
Not yet. Everything is in English at the moment. If there is a language you would want them in, tell me — it genuinely affects what gets done next.
- Who is behind Ruben Bell Books?
One person. Ruben Bell writes the books, and Ruben Bell Books publishes them. There is no team behind the name, which is why an email sent here is answered by the person who wrote the book.