Theo and the Day the Bells Rang

Sometimes, as an author, I encounter a side character that becomes way more important to me than I imagined they’d be the first time I typed their name.

Such was the case of Theo, Lucy’s little brother in For Liberty and Love.

Theo is eight. Full of mischief. Smart. Plucky. Brave. And he adores his big sister.

So, although I hadn’t planned to write it, I wrote a children’s book just for Theo.

It takes place on July 8, 1776, the day the Declaration of Independence was read aloud for the first time.  Bells rang throughout the day and people were celebrating in Philadelphia’s streets.

You can experience that day through Theo’s young eyes in Theo and the Day the Bells Rang.

Celebrate 250 Years of America with a Young Patriot’s 1776 Adventure

Eight-year-old Theo Carlson thinks it is just another summer day in Philadelphia. He wakes with a stretch and a yawn, pulls on his stockings, buckles his shoes, and hurries off to finish his chores. There are vegetables to water, eggs to gather, and plenty of little wonders waiting to catch his attention along the way.

But before long, Theo realizes this is no ordinary day.

Crowds begin gathering near the Pennsylvania State House. Bells ring through the city, excitement fills the cobblestone streets, and everyone seems to be waiting for something important to happen. Walking with his mother and his older sister, Lucy, Theo follows the sound of the bells and the joyful stir of the crowd. With a wooden bandalore toy in his pocket, a lost puppy in his arms, and a heart full of questions, Theo finds himself standing in the middle of a moment that will change America forever.

On July 8, 1776, Colonel John Nixon steps before the people of Philadelphia and reads the Declaration of Independence aloud for all to hear. As Theo listens, he begins to understand the courage of the Patriots, the hope of a new nation, and the precious meaning of freedom.

Theo and the Day the Bells Rang is a heartwarming patriotic picture book that introduces young children to an important moment in American history through the joyful eyes of a child. With gentle storytelling, charming historical details, and a spirit of freedom, this story brings early America to life for little listeners and early readers alike.

Perfect for families, classrooms, homeschool studies, patriotic holidays, America’s 250th birthday celebrations, and children who love history, adventure, and stories filled with heart.

Help the young readers in your life celebrate 250 years of liberty and learning with this engaging journey back to the day the bells rang in Philadelphia and freedom began to shine.

Available at:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Walmart | IngramSpark