About Bailey’s Bedtime Stories & RedBelly Bean Publishing

Bailey’s Bedtime Stories began with its original concept creator, Tessa, who many years ago wrote a much-loved monthly column in a local paperzine about the dogs in her neighbourhood. The stories quickly gained a following, with readers drawn to their quirky humour, warmth, and memorable characters.

Tessa and Jaclyn first met over 30 years ago at a barbeque (or braai) in South Africa. After initially sizing each other up, they became lifelong friends. Over the years, life took them in different directions, Jaclyn eventually moving to the UK, while Tessa remained in South Africa. But regular calls, long emails, and shared ideas kept their connection strong.

In 2025, Jaclyn saw the potential to develop the original idea into a structured children’s book series and began shaping Bailey’s Bedtime Stories into a collection designed for young readers. Building on Tessa’s early concept, Jaclyn developed the series, bringing the stories together with a clear direction for print, illustration, and wider distribution.

To support this vision, Jaclyn established RedBelly Bean Publishing, creating a platform to bring Bailey’s Bedtime Stories to market and to enable many more stories to be developed and shared under the RedBelly Bean brand. This step also allowed the books to reach bookshops, schools, and libraries more effectively.

Today, Tessa continues to draw inspiration from the South African countryside, while Jaclyn, based in Lancashire near the Lake District, focuses on developing, producing, and preparing the Bailey’s Bedtime Stories collection for publication and distribution.

The series is planned to include ten books, with many more adventures on the horizon. Inspired by early ideas and shaped into a growing collection, Bailey’s Bedtime Stories continues to evolve as a charming and imaginative series for young readers.

Through RedBelly Bean Publishing, the aim is to bring children engaging, comforting, and imaginative bedtime stories, filled with gentle humor, warmth, and memorable characters, creating moments families will treasure for years to come.

Bailey, Tessa’s beloved Chow, is the heart and inspiration behind the stories, while Chloe, Jaclyn’s much-loved collie/golden retriever cross, makes a special appearance within the series.