Words Are Magic!

＂Scripps National Spelling Bee champion Zaila Avant-garde teaches young readers about the joy of learning new words in this Step 1 leveled reader＂--

ZAILA AVANT-GARDE is a multi-talented powerhouse, with success springing from all her endeavors. She was named SportsKid of the Year 2021 by Sports Illustrated Kids.
Hailing from New Orleans, Louisiana, she won the 2021 Scripps National Spelling Bee, making her the first African-American to win in almost 100 years of the competition. Avant-garde landed on her winning word, murraya--a type of tree--by associating the word with famous comedian Bill Murray, who surprised her by phoning in during her appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live.
Avant-garde’s spelling triumph is just one entry on a very impressive resume. Along with competing in spelling bees for two years, Avant-garde holds three Guinness World Records for her basketball prowess. She holds the records for the most bounce juggles in one minute with four basketballs and most basketballs dribbled simultaneously by one person (at six basketballs).
Her success has been celebrated by the likes of Barack and Michelle Obama, LeBron James, and Dr. Jill Biden. Follow Zaila on Twitter at @ZailaAvantgarde and Instagram at @zailaavantgarde.

FELICIA WHALEY is a children’s book illustrator currently residing in Oak Park, IL. She obtained a BFA in illustration and design from the Art Institute of Chicago. It was there she found a love for illustrating for children, creating characters that she wished she had seen growing up. Learn more about Felicia’s work at feliciawhaley.com and follow her on Instagram at @creativegal28.