Words Are Magic!

Ages 4 to 6, Grades P to 1

Scripps National Spelling Bee champ Zaila Avant-garde shares her love of words with new readers in this level 1 Step Into Reading book.

Words are magic! Have you heard? Pick a letter. Make a word!

New readers will find joyful encouragement in this level 1 easy reader that sings out about the magic of words. Encouraging kids to mix words, match words, shout and rap words, Scripps National Spelling champ Zaila Avante-garde takes readers along on a noisy and boisterous celebration of letters, sounds, and reading. It's the perfect first step for new readers, full of fun and energy, from one of America's most exciting and unique young voices. 

Step 1 Readers feature big type and easy words for children who know the alphabet and are eager to begin reading. Rhyme and rhythmic text paired with picture clues help children decode the story.

Also available from Zaila Avant-garde:

Words of Wonder from Z to A

It's Not Bragging If It's True

Series Overview: Zaila Avant-garde publishing program:

Spring 2023: It's Not Bragging If It's True (MG nonfiction)

Summer 2023: Words of Wonder from Z to A (picture book)

Spring 2024: Words Are Magic! (Step Into Reading level 1)

Fall 2024: Picture book #2

Spring 2025: Step Into Reading level 4 autobiography

Summer 2025: Little Golden Book

About the Author

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.

Author Residence: Washington, DC

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.

Illustrator Residence:Oak Park, IL