Words Are Magic! (Step Into Reading: Step 1 Ready to Read)

by Zaila Avant-Garde (Author) Felicia Whaley (Illustrator)

Words Are Magic! (Step Into Reading: Step 1 Ready to Read)
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Reading Level: K − 1st Grade
Series: Step Into Reading: Step 1 Ready to Read
cms Common Sense Media Review

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 by Zaila Avant-garde:

Words of Wonder from Z to A

It's Not Bragging If It's True

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School Library Journal

Starred Review

PreS-Gr 1--"Words are magic! Have you heard? Pick a letter. Make a word!" This rhythmic writing that opens the book continues throughout its pages and illustrates various applications and the possible manipulations of words. "Draw them! Paint them! Touch them! Trace them!" The illustrations vividly portray a girl with brown skin doing activities aligned with the textual description, like painting the words "paint them" or tracing the words "trace them." With bright colors and a childlike charm, artwork will inspire kids and help them enjoy creating their own. Avant-garde is the winner of the 2021 Scripps National Spelling Bee. This book is sure to entertain and educate families and other library patrons. VERDICT A valuable addition to any library's collection, and a great first purchase.--Kirsten Caldwell

Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes



Zaila Avant-Garde
ZAILA AVANT-GARDE is a multi-talented powerhouse and a New York Times bestselling author, with success springing from all her endeavors and all before the ninth grade. 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 two Guinness World Records for her basketball prowess. She holds the records for the most bounce juggles in one minute (four basketballs) and most basketballs dribbled simultaneously by one person (six basketballs).

Her success has been celebrated by the likes of Barack and Michelle Obama, LeBron James, and Dr. Jill Biden, who attended the bee. Since winning the Bee, Zaila has appeared in a cameo role in Netflix's "HUSTLE", as well as NBA on TNT, and Peacock's "Kid's Tonight Show". You can also see her displaying her basketball skills in brand campaigns for Carnival Cruise Lines, BYJU, Xbox, and Gymshark.

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.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9780593571675
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Random House Books for Young Readers
Publication date
January 02, 2024
Series
Step Into Reading: Step 1 Ready to Read
BISAC categories
JUV035000 - Juvenile Fiction | School & Education
JUV014000 - Juvenile Fiction | Girls & Women
JUV009080 - Juvenile Fiction | Concepts | Words
Library of Congress categories
Readers (Publications)
Words, New

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