Local characters, Bumble the Bee, Charlie the Goose and Annabelle the Collie, star in this original short story series set in Charlottesville for children. The popular series is published quarterly in the "Bumble's Clubhouse Corner" of the AlbemarleKids Magazine as well as here in the complimentary online Clubhouse. Each story is charmingly illustrated by area schoolchildren who also create original poems and games to accompany the tale. We hope that you will enjoy reading these engaging stories with your children, laughing together at the mischief the three friends get into and sharing your own stories of adventures at The Albemarle County Fair and Walnut Creek Park.

"The Best Way to Go To Sleep"
Ever have trouble getting to sleep at night? Well, Annabelle the Collie has a tip for you. All you need is a your very own floating glass bubble and next thing you know, it’ll be morning. Sound a little strange? Just listen to Annabelle’s story and you’ll understand.....

"Bumble Visits the Quarry"
One hot summer afternoon Charlie the Goose decided to fly over to Walnut Creek Park, one of his favorite swimming holes near Charlottesville. Bumble the Bee said he wanted to come along. It was a long way for a bee to fly, though, so he hitched a ride on Charlie’s back.....

"An Exciting Day at the County Fair"
Each autumn the people who lived on Annabelle the Collie’s farm piled all of their best vegetables from the season’s harvest into their truck and drove to the Albemarle County Fair. There, they showed off their big, bright pumpkins, giant squash, and the best of their tomatoes, hoping to win blue ribbons and prove to everyone that they were the best farmers.....

"The Bee Balm Garden"
Ah, springtime! Bumble the Bee will tell you that the only good part about the winter is the fact that it will end in spring. Cold weather can really damage a bee’s wing, so every year Bumble has to wait until he is sure that spring is here to stay before he can go outdoors.....

"Bumble's BIG Birthday Surprise!"
This year, Annabelle and Charlie were determined to give Bumble the biggest, best birthday party in history. They planned to invite everyone they knew, play the best games, give the most presents, and eat the biggest cake.....

"The Apple Harvest Festival"
Autumn is just about the busiest time you’ll ever see on a farm. Everyone is hustling to bring in the harvest and they sure work hard. After all the plowing and digging, patiently tending to seedlings and blossoms, worrying about the weather…at last the farmer can reap his just reward and share the fruits of his labor with friends.....