Established in 1989 by Pizza Hut and the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress, National Young Readers Week centers on raising awareness of the importance of reading. One inspiring statistic about the impact of reading is that children learn between 4,000 and 12,000 words each year just by reading—no matter which kinds of books are their favorites! When families get involved in fostering a love of reading at home, kids grow up with an excitement to learn and an activity they can do anywhere and that will follow them throughout their life.
There are many fantastic ways to help your kids develop an affinity for reading, including taking regular trips to your library, allowing kids to pick out their own books, setting aside special times during the day to read together, and setting up a library in your own home to show how important books are to you. You can also follow your favorite authors and illustrators on social media to connect with special activities to download, tutorials, updates on new books, and lots more.
The Bunny Ballet
Written by Nora Ericson | Illustrated by Elly MacKay
As music swells and lights dim, a rabbit invites a sister and her younger brother through a hidden chink in the trees to a watch a bunny ballet, where “Gossamer and / featherlight, / graceful hares / glide left, slide right.” They leap and whirl, plie, jeté, . . . “arabesque, then frisk away.” They weave together then move apart. In the spotlight appears “a sight you’ll not forget: / a perfect bunny pirouette.”
At intermission the audience queues for a Radish Razzle or a Carrot Cordial. So many delicious treats! Soon, the lights begin to flicker, and the show resumes. “Proud bucks swing in barrel turns” then prima ballerinas on tiptoe dance, balanced weightless on upraised paws. One seems to slip, and gasps ring out—the sister grasps her brother’s hand—but then she’s caught in a graceful dip.
This trick may seem to end the show, yet the grand finale is coming up. With the clash of cymbals, the dancers appear from all corners of the stage. They thump and jump and promenade, “spinning in a bunny haze.” All too soon the curtains close, and the sister and brother twirl towards home, dreaming of practicing what they’ve seen tomorrow. But now they can only bid farewell to the Bunny Ballet.
Nora Ericson’s musical lyricism sweeps readers away and into a dream world of ballet with her beautiful language and phrasing that holds readers spellbound with all the sights and sounds of a dance performance. Ericson’s imaginative intermission snacks will delight kids before the pages return to the ballet and the enthralling graceful whirl of its finale. As the moon rises and twilight paints the sky, Ericson’s hypnotic farewell to the evening’s wonders will send children off to sleep with much to dream of.
Ellie MacKay’s glorious illustrations—created by painting, cutting, layering, and photographing the various elements—blend vintage warmth and charm with fresh highlights and detail. Her lush woodland offers a stunning backdrop to these talented bunnies as they jeté, arabesque, and pirouette across the stage. The relationship between the sister and brother is sweetly loving, and as they head home with the rising moon, readers will drift into slumber, carried on MacKay’s soft, tranquil hues.
Ages 4 – 8
Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2025 | ISBN 978-1419776144
About the Author
Nora Ericson studied painting at Yale University and writing for children at Vermont College of Fine Arts. Originally from central New York, she now lives in Portland, Oregon, with two kids, two dogs, and two cats. Besides reading and writing, she loves cooking, tromping in the woods, and whittling spoons while daydreaming of her future miniature donkey farm. She’s also the author of Too Early, Dill & Bizzy: An Odd Duckand a Strange Bird, and Dill & Bizzy: Opposite Day.
About the Illustrator
Elly MacKay is an internationally recognized paper artist and children’s book creator. She is the illustrator of the picture book Too Early and The Enchanted Symphony, written by Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton, as well as the author-illustrator of Red Sky at Night, If You Hold a Seed, and Butterfly Park, among others. The distinctive three-dimensional quality in her works is made by setting up layers of painted paper in a miniature theater. She lights the scene and photographs it to create her unique illustrations. MacKay lives in Owen Sound, Ontario, with her family.
You can purchase The Bunny Ballet from these booksellers
Created in 2021 by Courtney Hinshaw, a book lover, former teacher, and founder of Ramona Recommends, National Open The Magic Day honors the magic of reading aloud—especially reading picture books. As a child, Courtney faced struggles with dyslexia and auditory processing disorder, and while reading didn’t come easily, picture books gave her much joy and comfort. By establishing this holiday, her goal is to help more children feel confident with books, especially those who find reading hard.
Picture books aren’t just for the youngest readers, either! With their mix of story and illustrations, this creative masterpieces can open new worlds and a world of reading for children of any age—and even adults! To celebrate today, share picture books you loved as a child and your kids’s faves too! To learn more about the holiday and Courtney Hinshaw’s work with reading and literacy, visit Ramona Recommends and check out her blog post for National Open the Magic Day.
Thank you to Bloomsbury Children’s Books for gifting me a copy of this book for review!
Zombie and Brain Are Friends
Written by Stephanie V.W. Lucianovic | Illustrated by Laan Cham
Zeb’s “family raised brains. Grain-fed, free-range brains.” In fact, anyone who bought their brains at the farmers market would tell you they were “the best brains in the entire county.” One Saturday, while Zeb worked among the crop, a baby brain snapped off its stem and bounced right into his hands. Zeb was smitten by how pink and squishy and adorable it was. Zeb decided to call him Brian and promised he’d take care of him. Brian snuggled close and “buzzed with delight.”
Zeb’s parents were much less enthusiastic and reminded Zeb: “‘Brains are food, NOT pets.'” Over the next few days Zeb and Brian did everything they could to change his parents’ minds. Finally they relented. Zeb was a fabulous caretaker, providing Brian with the best brain food, the most puzzling exercises, and always ensuring he never suffered brain freeze on chilly nights.
When Zeb woke one night to find Brian gone then spied him on the kitchen table and heard his dad say he was “going to make him a midnight snack,” Zeb was terrified. He snuck into the kitchen, grabbed Brian, and ran as fast as he could to a faraway field where brains roamed wild. After a tearful farewell, Zeb returned home, but it just felt empty. When his parents asked where Brian was and Zeb told them, he learned that his dad had been making a snack for Brian, not out of Brian.
The family scoured the neighborhood, but Brian was nowhere to be found. Then one morning as Zeb did his chores, he felt Brian at his heel. He had found his way home himself! Now their home—and their hearts—were full once more.
With its inspired take on E. B. White’s Charlotte’s Web, surprising friendship, and sweet tug on the heart, Stephanie V.W. Lucianovic’s Zombie and Brain Are Friends is a picture book for the whole family to read together. Loaded with delicious puns, wordplay, laugh-out-loud moments (as when Zeb tries a favorite pet owner’s ploy to entice Brian home), and even a couple of tear-jerking scenes, this heartwarming story is one kids and adults will want to share again and again.
Whether they’re shepherding their flock of brains on a hillside, selling their wares at a farmers market, or adjusting to a new pet in the house, Laan Cham’s delightful zombie family is relatable and loving. Pink, squishy Brian is a dear, and watching his and Zeb’s friendship blossom over fish dinners, puzzles, and outdoor play will squeeze your heart. Cham paints Zeb’s selfless act to save Brian with a broad brush of suspense and emotion, making the ending all the sweeter.
Full of heart, soul, and brains, Zombie and Brain Are Friends will appeal to all readers. It would be a well-loved addition to any home bookshelf and is a must for all library collections.
Ages 4 – 8
Bloomsbury Children’s Books, 2025 | ISBN 978-1547613625
About the Author
Stephanie V.W. Lucianovic is the author of The End of Something Wonderful; Hello, Star; The League of Picky Eaters; What is Hope; and Hummingbird Season. She writes books in the San Francisco Bay Area surrounded by a few kids, a few cats, and one husband. Visit her at stephanielucianovic.com and on Instagram @grubreport.
About the Illustrator
Laan Cham is a wandering dreamer with a BIG imagination who enjoys all things cute, random, and a little bit strange. (Because the best things in life are kind of out there.) She aims to spread joy through her stories and illustrations by encapsulating all the things she loves. Laan’s picture books include Somewhere in Between and Mao Mao’s Perfectly Imperfect Day. Visit her at laancham.com and on Instagram @laan.cham.
National Open the Magic Day Activity
Reading is Magic! Puzzle
Reading every day makes life magical! Print this Reading is Magic! puzzle to help these kids find a book they’ll love!
You can purchase Zombie and Brain Are Friends from these booksellers
Today’s holiday was conceived by the Encouragement Foundation at Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas as a day to prompt people to consciously engage in encouraging and inspiring others. On September 12, 2007 Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe signed a proclamation for a “State Day of Encouragement.” President George W. Bush later established September 12 as a National Day of Encouragement. To celebrate today, cheer on your friends, coworkers, and even those you don’t know as they go about their day, attempt to reach goals, or start new endeavors. A pat on the back, a simple “you can do it!,” or a reassuring “great job!” boosts people’s self-confidence and makes the world a happier place.
Thank you to Scholastic for sending me a copy of Messi’s Magic for review.
Messi’s Magic: How Lionel Messi Became the G.O.A.T
Written by Caroline L. Perry | Illustrated by Luciano Lozano
Lionel Messi was born in Rosario, Argentina, where no matter what was going on—work or play—”everything stopped for soccer.” Leo’s brothers loved to play soccer in the backyard and Leo joined in “as soon as he could stand.” With his grandma Celia’s support, he joined the neighborhood team when he was only four years old. His first time out, he scored two goals against the older players.
At six years old, Leo joined a bigger club. As he grew older, he became a formidable player, spurred on by natural talent and his coach’s chocolate cookies. Over six seasons his skills “became even sweeter” as he scored nearly 500 goals and became the club champion. Then he was rocked by two unexpected events. First, his beloved grandma Celia died. Second, Leo was not growing taller like his teammates. Tests showed that he had a growth hormone disorder. Treatment would be expensive—more than his family could afford. While Leo’s parents worked longer hours, he worked on his skills. His practicing paid off when, at just 13, he was “offered a trial with FC Barcelona, one of Europe’s top soccer clubs.”
Even though he was nervous, “Leo dribbled, danced, and dazzled.” The team signed him right away and agreed to pay for his medical treatment. Far away from home, Leo struggled with his medicine and making friends. But Leo stayed focused, and when game days came he “dashed around defenders . . . set up stunning assists . . . glided past goalies” and made “GOAAAAALLLLLLLLL!!!” after “GOAAAAALLLLLLLLL!!!” At just seventeen, Leo joined FC Barcelona’s first team.
Now, his goals were met with the cheers of 90,000 fans, and when the team lost, Leo simply practiced harder. Whenever he made a goal, Leo “pointed two fingers up to the sky, dedicating the goals to Grandma Celia.” Now, Leo has his own soccer-obsessed family, and in Rosario “everything still stops for soccer. Especially when Leo Messi is making magic.”
Back matter includes a timeline of Leo Messi’s life, a list of his professional awards won and records set, more facts about Leo’s life and family, an Author’s Note, and an Artist’s note.
In her thrilling biography of Lionel Messi, Caroline L. Perry brings all the excitement of his phenomenal soccer skills as well as his resilience in the face of challenges to young readers. Her lyrical and descriptive storytelling hums with dynamic motion, honest emotions, and the long-held passion that kept Messi focused on his goals and his Goaaallll!s. Children—whether they play and watch soccer or engage in other activities—will find Lionel Messi’s childhood and teenage success fascinating, encouraging, and inspiring.
Luciano Lozano takes readers from Leo Messi’s backyard soccer field to the big leagues in his vibrant and realistic illustrations that spotlight Messi’s extraordinary talent and the pleasure playing gave him while also sensitively depicting his struggles with loneliness, grief, and his health. In one evocative page spread, Leo’s small stature is contrasted with the enormity of his dreams through an image of him and his shadow. The strong family support Leo enjoyed and now shares with his own children is also highlighted in heartwarming spreads.
Ages 4 – 8
Scholastic, 2025 | ISBN 978-1546179078
About the Illustrator
Luciano Lozano is an award-winning author, illustrator, and graphic artist based in Lionel Messi’s adopted city of Barcelona, Spain. Luciano’s picture books include Boys Dance by John Robert Allman, Ciao Sandro! by Steven Varni, and his very own Diana Dances. A self-taught artist who studied creative illustration in a postgraduate course at EINA University School of Design and Art of Barcelona, he also creates editorial art for newspapers and magazines worldwide. Learn more at lucianolozano.com.
Meet Caroline L. Perry
Caroline L. Perry is the author of the acclaimed picture book The Corgi and the Queen illustrated by Lydia Corry, as well as several forthcoming books for children. A lifelong soccer fan, a youth soccer coach, and mum to three soccer-obsessed kids (who can frequently be found squabbling over goal stats), Caroline also volunteers as a public-school writing instructor. She lives in Southern California with her family. Learn more at carolinelperry.com.
Today I’m chatting with Caroline L. Perry about how her newest book Messi’s Magic: How Lionel Messi became the G.O.A.T came to be, her experiences as a children’s soccer coach, and a few of her favorite small museums.
Hi Caroline! Thanks for taking the time to talk with me today! What most inspired you to write Messi’s Magic?
Since Messi signed with Inter Miami in 2023, he’s inspired young fans in a way we haven’t seen before—I like to joke that he’s the Taylor Swift of the sports world! There are already middle-grade and fact-based books about Messi’s journey, but I wanted to create something for the youngest supporters: a beautifully illustrated tribute that captures the magic of his journey from a small, shy child to the greatest soccer player of all time.
Can you share the book’s journey with readers?
Absolutely! When I write biographies, I use a ‘full immersion’ approach: I read, watch, and absorb everything I can about my subject, always looking for the story’s heart, or its ‘north star.’ Messi’s story is incredible, he overcame loss, serious illness and immense challenges on his path to greatness, and I think that’s really what makes him such a hero. Yes, he’s an exceptional player, but there are also so many elements from his life that young readers can relate to. My editor, Tracy Mack, was the perfect partner for this book, and the Scholastic team have been wonderful to work with. I couldn’t be happier with the way Messi’s Magic turned out!
What was the most surprising thing you learned while researching this book?
There were many fascinating details, but I was most surprised to learn that Messi was a very picky eater as a child, and that his incredible goal-scoring was sometimes encouraged with cookies (as someone with a very sweet tooth myself, this resonated!) I also discovered that Messi’s famous ‘two fingers to the sky’ goal celebration is actually a tribute to his late grandmother Celia, who played a huge role in nurturing his love of the game. I thought this was really beautiful, and it also tells us a lot about Messi’s character.
On your website, you mention that you’ve had fun coaching kids’ soccer. What is it about the game of soccer that would you say makes it a good experience for kids?
Me at the Inter-Miami vs LA Galaxy game with Leo Messi in the background.
Soccer is a wonderfully democratic sport—you don’t need anything except a ball, some determination and a willingness to learn. As a coach, it’s incredible to watch kids transform: I’ve seen really timid players become fearless defenders, and kids struggling with friendships form unbreakable bonds on the field. I’ve been lucky to witness so many moments of growth, teamwork, and pure elation after a win! Even in the sadder moments (following a loss, for example) magic happens when the team commiserates together.
Luciano Lozano’s realistic and action-packed illustrations really bring readers onto the field and into Leo Messi’s life. Did you get to see sketches along the way or how did the process go?
Yes! I was lucky to see sketches and artwork at various stages, and it was a very collaborative process. Luciano did an incredible job of capturing both Messi’s unique style of play and the electric energy of the stadium and crowd scenes.
Is there a certain spread that’s your favorite? If so, what makes it distinctive for you?
Oh, that’s tough! If I had to pick, it would be the spread showing Messi about to step onto the field at Camp Nou, FC Barcelona’s stadium, in front of 90,000 fans. The art radiates excitement and anticipation, and I love that Luciano included Messi’s contemporaries, Ronaldinho and Eto’o, as part of the scene. I hope young soccer fans will enjoy those details!
In your bio you mention that you love finding out-of-the-way museums. Which one of these museums stands out most in your memory and why?
There are a few! Pollocks Toy Museum in London is tiny, eccentric, and delightful, a real passion project filled with vintage treasures. Over the summer, I also took my kids to the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s museum—we were the only visitors, but it was fascinating to see how pharmacy and medicine have evolved over the years. In Stockholm, we stumbled across a small Wooden Horse Museum, and I honestly wanted to take half of the exhibits home with me!
What’s the best thing about being a children’s author?
Honestly, it’s getting to engage with young readers, who are endlessly imaginative, curious, and enthusiastic. Their energy is often contagious and always inspiring!
Since this blog highlights holidays and you’ve lived in and traveled to so many countries, could you share one of your favorite global holidays and what makes it special?
My visit to a festa in Malta.
Malta, the tiny Mediterranean island where my extended family lives, will always hold a special place in my heart. The festas there are absolutely magical—each village celebrates its patron saint with music, fireworks, and food, and the whole community comes together. Malta itself is unique, with more than 7,000 years of history, and it also happens to be the setting for my recently released book, The Memory Cake.
You must have had some amazing adventures! Would you like to share a couple of them with readers?
Me and a quokka on Wadjemup/Rottnest Island, Australia.
Another unforgettable experience was visiting Wadjemup/Rottnest Island in Australia, where I had the chance to meet a quokka up close. That really was a dream come true, especially since the main character of my upcoming book, I AM NOT HAPPY!, is a misunderstood marsupial.
Argentinian flags in Buenos Aires
And then there’s Argentina, Messi’s homeland, where my husband and I honeymooned. I’d love to go back someday, hopefully to experience the joy of watching a fútbol match there. Each of these places has given me not only incredible memories but also inspiration for my writing.
What’s up next for you?
In October, my funny story about a mercurial quokka, I AM NOT HAPPY! (illustrated by Sydney Hanson) comes out with Simon & Schuster. I also have a humorous book scheduled for 2026, along with a few other exciting projects in the works. Plenty to look forward to!
Thank you so much, Caroline for stopping by and sharing so much about Messi’s Magic: How Lionel Messi Became the G.O.A.T.! I wish you all the best with this book! I’m sure kids are eager to read it—and your upcoming books as well!
National Day of Encouragement Activity
Watch Lionel Messi in Action
Be amazed by Leo Messi’s dazzling footwork in this YouTube video courtesy of Kyliann22Second!
You can purchase Messi’s Magic: How Lionel Messi Became the G.O.A.T from these booksellers
The word “serendipitous” was first coined in 1754 by Horace Walpole in a letter to a friend as he described a Persian fairy tale known in English as The Three Princes of Serendip. In the story three young men, having been banished from the kingdom of Serendip (commonly known as Sri Lanka) to prove their worth, travel the world continuously enjoying surprising good luck—or serendipity—along the way. In 2001 author Madeleine Kay founded Serendipity Day to encourage people “to live your life . . . with the belief that at any moment, something wonderful is about to happen.” Let today’s holiday inspire you to pay closer attention to those moments of serendipitous magic that occur each day. They’re all around us as long as we recognize and embrace them!
The Strangest Fish
Written by Katherine Arden | Illustrated by Zahra Marwan
Daisy lives in a colorful house on the edge of a lake with water like “blue glass.” She loves the month of October for its golden trees, pumpkins, cider, and, especially, the county fair. After riding the teacups and munching popcorn, Daisy “fished for prizes from the go-fish booth.” She came away with her own, real, strange fish. Despite the fish’s extra fins, leaf-like scales, and big head, Daisy loved him and vowed to take care of him. At home she placed him in the nicest bowl and named him October.
In the morning, October had outgrown his bowl, so Daisy gave him a bigger one. The same thing happened the next morning, and the next, even though Daisy had transferred him to the bathtub. October looked like a pile of leaves. Daisy’s brother proclaimed him “so weird.” Daisy, though, thought “October was the best fish,” and when “she petted his scales, she was sure his blue eye winked at her.”
The next morning Daisy knew she had to move October again. But where? He “blinked his lake-blue eyes,” and she knew. She rolled October to the lake in her wagon then worried and worried about him all night. In the morning she ran to the lake but saw only a small ripple. Then a snout and a head broke the surface of the water, and Daisy was gazing into the lake-blue eyes of a water dragon. She cried “‘I knew you weren’t a fish!’” and happily climbed on his back for a magical trip around the lake.
Katherine Arden’s The Strangest Fish radiates charm and the type of serendipity children make happen every day with their open hearts. Daisy is a dear, and in one masterful scene that is both touching and candid, Arden reveals the depths of Daisy’s kindness: While carrying her unusual new pet from the car to the house, Daisy feels a pang of jealousy for the cute and more conventional stuffed koala bear her sister has won, but, not wanting to hurt the fish’s feelings, she keeps it to herself. “Friends didn’t hurt friends’ feelings,” she knows. Instead, Daisy tells her fish that she will give him “the nicest bowl.” Arden extends such perception to each family member, as well, through lyrical descriptions and dialog peppered with honest sibling and parental banter and Daisy’s loving reassurances to October that make her story a read aloud with poignancy for all ages.
Fanciful and shimmering with breathtaking color, Zahra Marwan’s watercolor and pen-and-ink illustrations invite readers to enjoy a nostalgic autumn fair before welcoming them into Daisy’s close-knit family life. The siblings’ love for each other shows up in heart-patterned clothing and the way Daisy and her sister and brother huddle under one blanket as they worry about October together. Marwan’s singular fish is part punk aesthetic, part balloon, and completely adorable, stealing readers’ hearts from their first glimpse of him. The details Marwan sprinkles throughout her pages are both evocative and quirky, and she even adds a bit of foreshadowing (but I won’t tell you where). October’s final incarnation will delight kids and adults alike.
Enchanting, unforgettable, and with an ending that fulfills all of a child’s heartfelt wishes, The Strangest Fish is a story that kids will want to hear again and again and is a must addition to home, classroom, and all library collections.
Ages 4 – 8
Astra Young Readers, 2024 | ISBN 978-1662620782
About the Author
Katherine Arden is the NYT-bestselling author of the Winternight Trilogy and the middle-grade series Small Spaces. She won the 2020 Vermont Golden Dome Book Award and was a finalist for the 2020 Hugo Award for Best Series. She graduated from Middlebury College in 2011, where she obtained her degree in Russian and French.
About the Illustrator
Zahra Marwan is a children’s book author-illustrator and the 2022 recipient of the Dilys Evans Founder’s Award. Her first picture book, Where Butterflies Fill the Sky, was named one of NPR’s Best Books of 2022 and a NYT Best Illustrated Children’s Book. Originally from Kuwait, Zahra now lives in New Mexico.
Serendipity Day Activity
Go Fishing Game
Kids can engage in their own serendipitous adventure with this Go Fishing Game! With a paper plate pond, some printable fish, and a few other supplies, kids will be catching a whole lot of fun in no time!
Universal Father’s Week is celebrated during the third week of June each year. All week long we give a special tribute to all the fathers (and father figures) who work hard, are caring, lovable, and funny, keep us on our toes as well as the right path, and are just awesome dads. To celebrate, make sure the dads in your life know how much they’re loved and needed!
Thank you to Orchard Books for sharing a digital copy of this book with me for review!
You Make the World
Written by Mượn Thị Văn | Illustrated by Phùng Nguyên Quang and Huỳnh Kim Liên
As the story begins, a father and his young child share a drink from a single mug outside their simple campsite—a small tent and a lantern, but a roaring campfire ringed by stones. The child’s father reveals the poetry of nature, how “the sun makes the world hum. / The clouds make the world blue. / The wind makes the world wild. / The rain makes the world new.” He then tells his child a secret—“But you know what else makes the world? You.”
The child takes this in, a bit surprised. Dad explains how every “hello,” “smile,” or “hug” creates a ripple effect of joy and love and how acceptance will “make the world grow.” In fact, the child, the world, the entire universe are so entwined that the child’s emotions are felt by all. Not only their feelings, but their actions have consequence. “When you forgive, you make the world kind,” the father says. “When you try, you make the world brave.” But even deeper than these single actions or feelings, the father imparts, the child’s very presence “. . . here where you belong . . . make(s) the world whole.”
Mượn Thị Văn introduces her story with a letter to her readers, revealing that You Make the World was inspired by one of her previous books, Wishes.
Phùng Nguyên Quang and Huỳnh Kim Liên’s stunning, color-saturated illustrations carry the father and child as they leave their campsite on a transformative adventure with familiar animals and fantastical beasts. An enormous yak kneels to accept kindness from the child before rainbow-winged birds transport father and child on a flight over fields and streams. Hippos ride the waves with them as they kayak on a raging sea, and the father and child soar into the twilight sky holding the tip of a breaching blue whale’s fin. Along the way, readers will see the growing gathering of shadowed animals keeping watch. As the sun finally sets, the child fills a lantern with starlight before falling to sleep in their father’s arms.
You Make the World is a book that parents, grandparents, teachers, and other caregivers will want to share again and again and one that children will ask for often. The book is a must addition to any home or library collection. It would make a much-loved gift for any occasion, especially for babies and new siblings.
Ages 4 – 8
Orchard Books, 2025 | ISBN 978-1338822045
About the Author
Mượn Thị Văn is the author of many acclaimed picture books. From her debut, In a Village by the Sea (2015), to her latest, If You Want to Be a Butterfly(2023), her books have earned many distinctions, including a California Book Award, an Irma Black Honor, and a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection. Her recent book Wishes, with Victo Ngai, won the Margaret Wise Brown Prize and was named the #1 Best Picture Book of 2021 by BookPage. Her books have been translated into multiple languages, including Vietnamese, Nepali, Sepedi, and Tamil. Mượn Thị Văn lives and works in California. Visit her at muonthivan.com.
About the Illustrators
Phùng Nguyên Quang and Huỳnh Kim Liên are book creators who live and work together in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Quang and Liên are currently working on illustrations for a number of children’s titles to be published in Vietnam and Europe. Some of their acclaimed picture book projects include Hundred Years of Happiness and The First Journey. Visit them at kaaillustration.com. You’ll also find Huỳnh Kim Liên at kimlienhuynh.com and Phùng Nguyên Quang at phungnguyenquang.com.
Universal Father’s Day Activity
You Make the World Activity Sheets
Interact with the world around you with these fun activity sheets proved by Scholastic!
International Museum day was created in 1977 by the International Council of Museums to raise awareness that “museums are an important means of cultural exchange, enrichment of cultures and development of mutual understanding, cooperation and peace among peoples.” The theme for this year is “The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities.” Museums are not just repositories of the past. They are vital and active members of the communities they serve and as such can be leaders in tackling some of society’s biggest issues. This year’s theme focuses on “how museums can navigate and contribute to a world undergoing profound social, technological, and environmental shifts” and addresses three main points:
Support for local economies by creating employment opportunities and offering educational programs
Driving innovation and enhancing accessibility by fostering creativity and embracing technological advancements
Contributing to sustainable urban development by acting as cultural hubs that promote inclusion, resilience, and heritage preservation
To celebrate International Museum Day, visit a museum near you—and don’t forget to print and take along the activity sheet found below!
Thank you to Bloomsbury Children’s Books for sending me a copy of Sakina and the Uninvited Guests!
Sakina and the Uninvited Guests
By Zahra Marwan
When a sandstorm turns “the city orange—the sun like a tangerine, the waves like clementine peels,” Sakina’s mother drives past the beach, where Sakina had hoped to spend the day, and goes to the museum. Inside, Sakina gazes with boredom at the statues of a crocodile holding papers and a blue jaguar guarding the first laws ever written. She nearly trips over one of the many, many winged lions. She can’t believe there had once been so many flying lions in her city. But as they move from exhibit to exhibit, Sakina sees that her mama’s eyes, keep “filling with tears” as they come upon likenesses of her mom and her uncle, a ring she used to have, and other familiarities.
Sakina can’t understand her mother’s affection for “. . . all of these old, boring, boring things.” But then Sakina stumbles and another winged lion seems to be watching her. In fact . . . “Did he just . . . wink at her? Sakina was absolutely sure.” Suddenly, it’s time to leave, and while Sakina’s backpack feels heavier, she feels lighter, hopeful she will soon be playing by the sea.
At home, it’s nap time, and while everyone else sleeps, Sakina cannot. Suddenly, she hears strange noises and follows them to find the crocodile, jaguar, and winking winged lion crawling from her backpack. Sakina is nonplussed and worried the noise will wake the household. Sakina tries to catch them, but they run through the house, toppling furniture and knick-knacks, knocking pictures off the walls.
As she picks up a photograph of her grandmother, though, she notices how her eyes “were full of life and water, like the sea. Like the people in the museum.” Sakina then helps the crocodile pick up his scattered papers and realizes they are poems. She reads a line: “‘I hope they will remember me.'” Suddenly, Sakina understands. She feels the “thousands and thousands of years, in that little crocodile. Thousands and thousands of years, in little Sakina.”
With the lifting of the sandstorm and her promise to remember them, Sakina’s guests depart just as her mother appears with a gift from the museum shop—a set of small familiar porcelain figurines. At last Sakina gets her wish, but as she and Mama walk to the sea, she can’t wait to return to the museum and tell its inhabitants “‘I remember you.'”
Back matter includes an Author’s Note in which Zahra Marwin explains the significance of the crocodile sculpture in her story and how people have had and will always have the same feelings—from the times of ancient history into the future. She also touches on the other sculptures she has depicted here and asks readers to consider what kind of art people were making thousands of years ago in the area where they live now as well as the kind of art their ancestors would have been familiar with. In another note, Marwan discusses several particular parts of the book, including the origins of distinct words and phrases, the value placed on education in the Middle East, and her inclusion of two recreated modern paintings.
Whimsical and profound, Zahra Marwan’s story of a trip to a museum reaches deep into the heart and invites readers to join the collective memory of their own family as well as that of the world at large. Marwan reminds us that, just as the sea that Sakina longs to visit, museums and even history itself is always alive with the past, the present, and what’s to come.
Children will be charmed by Sakina who, despite her disappointment about not visiting the sea and some boredom, wanders the museum with an open mind and curiosity. Her alertness to her mother’s emotions shows empathy and a close bond. Sakina is also attuned to her mother’s eyes and the eyes of the paintings and sculptures. Children will notice that Marwan has also drawn Sakina with her “mother’s eyes” when the winged lion, crocodile, and jaguar hitch a ride in her backpack and again when they emerge from it at her house, spurring her to a deeper understanding of what she has seen.
Marwan’s lyrical language, carried on gentle waves of consonance and assonance, beautifully adds texture and imagery to the pages, each of which are washed in gorgeous colors and exquisite recreations of paintings and sculptures that will intrigue readers and spark an interest in visiting museums in their own area.
Infused with depth and enchantment, Sakina and the Uninvited Guests is sure to become a favorite read aloud and a captivating spark for discussions about family heritage at home as well as for classroom genealogical projects. The book is highly recommended for home bookshelves and is a must for all school and library collections.
Ages 4 – 8
Bloomsbury Children’s Books, 2025 | ISBN 978-1547613427
Zahra Marwan grew up in two deserts: one close to the sea in Kuwait, the other close to the mountains in New Mexico. She is a fine artist who exhibits extensively and has won international awards and fellowships, including a New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Book, NPR Best Books of 2022, an Ezra Jack Keats Honor for Illustration, a Dilys Evans Founders Award from the Society of Illustrators, and more. She studied the visual arts in France and currently lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where she keeps a small studio at the Harwood Art Center. Visit her at zahramarwan.com.
International Museum Day Activity
Museum Visit Activity Sheets
Interact with your museum visit on International Museum Day or any time you go with this activity sheet that gets you thinking, feeling, and remembering your favorite parts of your trip!
Founded in 1919, Children’s Book Week is the longest-running literacy initiative in the United States. The 2025 theme is An Ocean of Stories,which celebrates “the vast, collective ocean populated by the stories we read, share, and tell.” The holiday attracts participation from authors, illustrators, publishers, librarians, teachers, and booksellers in schools, libraries, bookstores, and communities across the country. To learn more about the holiday and download bookmarks and posters, activities in English and Spanish, coloring pages in 15 different languages, and much more, visit Every Child a Reader. You can even sign up to continue to get fantastic ideas for connecting with books and reading all year around!
Thank you to Scholastic for sharing a copy of Ballet Brown with me!
Review by Dorothy Levine
Ballet Brown
Written by Bellen Woodard | Illustrated by Fanny Liem
To Bellen, “dance is a conversation with the world,”—one she has been in love with since she was two years old. As a young ballet dancer, Bellen’s world was full of color. From brightly colored tutus to rainbow tights, Bellen fit in with the menagerie of outfits the ballerinas wore.
But as Bellen grew older, and dance became more serious, “the rainbow vanished. Pink became the priority. Pink leotard. Pink tights. Pink ballet shoes.” Bellen followed suit, narrowing her wardrobe and pinning back her afro to fit the dress code. But while dancing in class, she gazed in the mirror and reflected: “it looked like my legs didn’t belong with me.” Her legs, in the pink tights, didn’t match her natural skin tone. Delving deeper, Bellen read books about the history of ballet. She discovered that “’ballet pink’ was chosen to be an extension of the ballerina, to appear as beautiful skin gliding across the stage.”
“This tradition needs an upgrade,” Bellen declared. Her mother agreed, and together they shopped for new dance clothing. Bellen showed up at the studio the next day, adorned in her new ballet brown attire—brown tights and brown shoes. Her studio, however, wasn’t ready to make the leap. “‘Pink is tradition,’ the owner said. / ‘Traditions should grow just like we do,’” Bellen replied.
But as time twirled past and the studio stayed the same, Bellen realized they were just not willing to grow into new traditions with her. She knew it was time for a change. “And that’s when I learned sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is walk away.”
When Bellen and her mother walked into a new studio, they knew immediately this would be the right fit. Even the air felt different: “vibrant, warm, and welcoming.” At this new studio, Bellen’s ballet brown inspired other dancers to bring back the rainbow to ballet and show their true colors. Bellen says, “I had finally found a place that would join hands and duet with me. A place where self-expression, like the coolest crayons, colored the room.”
Bellen Woodard’s autobiographical story concludes with a brief overview of her activism and founding of the More than Peach Project, plus a further explanation of ballet brown versus ballet pink. Back matter also includes a conversation with studio owners, tips for dyeing pointe shoes, and heart-felt advice for young dancers and families.
A one-of-a-kind story about a one-of-a-kind dancer and writer. At just fourteen years old, Bellen Woodard has crafted a beautiful story of her journey to stretch the ballet standards and make room for inclusion. Ballet Brown showcases themes of resistance and persistence—that sticking up for yourself can make a difference, not only for you but for others too. In expanding the possibilities for ballet wear, Woodard opened the door for others to do the same. Through this lyrical story, more and more young dancers will feel inspired to do the same—to dance in their own style, however makes them feel seen.
Fanny Liem colors the elegant ballet scenes with rich shades of brown and pink. Liem cleverly plays with mirror reflections, showing “Ballet Pink Bellen” imagining her reflection in brown, and, later, her legs looking wobbly in pink, to show how she felt disconnected from their pale look. When Bellen describes her new studio as having a welcoming air, this is reflected in warmer yellow background tones, whereas her old studio is drawn in stark white. Fanny Liem animates the story with ballerinas of all backgrounds dancing across the pages—further driving the point that dancers shine in all different races, genders, and styles.
Ages 5 – 7
Scholastic, Inc., 2025 | ISBN 978-1546134077
Fanny Liem was born and raised in Indonesia. She’s loved drawing since she was a child. Her passion for storytelling and illustration started the first time she grabbed picture books, which were gifted to her by her uncle. When she is not drawing, she enjoys watching movies and listening to country music. You’ll find her on Instagram at wenfancy.
Bellen Woodard is the young scholar, beloved trailblazer, and CEO of Bellen’s More than Peach Project. As the world’s first Crayon Activist, pioneer of “skin-color” crayons, and founder of the crayon/school supply brand for a new generation, Bellen has transformed an entire industry with a first-of-its-kind, innovative and inclusive project and brand that have become a global movement. She’s received many notable awards and has been featured by Scholastic, TIME, Nickelodeon, and many others. Now entering high school, Bellen embodies self-expression and discovery. She also enjoys world travel, dance, and spending time with family, friends, and her two dogs. And she’s just getting started! Visit Bellen’s More than Peach Project website to learn more.
Hi Bellen, I’m excited to be talking with you today about Ballet Brown and your More than Peach Project.
In addition to being an author, you launched More than Peach, a global initiative, company, and brand, at just eight years old. Can you tell us about that?
I started Bellen’s More than Peach Project —“More than Peach”—only after successfully changing the language and perception around the “skin-color” crayon in my own school class and community. I wanted to bring that change for the benefit of every single kid around the world. I also had an amazing teacher, friends, and classmates and I loved school (I still do . . .), so I first imagined More than Peach and More than Peach crayons to “let kids be kids and give them their best options” and to celebrate youth leadership and many beautiful colors.
How did you come to write this book? And why did you pick to share this story in a children’s book format as opposed to other mediums?
Well, I’ve been dancing since I was two, and with the support of my parents and lots of advocacy along the way, it’s been a very rewarding dance journey overall. I also began wearing brown in ballet (ballet slippers and tights) almost from the very start and benefited from that in much the same way as another dancer does wearing pink. So, I wanted to be able to share my story and the advocacy in a picture book to connect with all kids and share tools too. I know that having a visual representation can be so important. Most of all, I want young dancers and their families to have built-in support from the dance community and to know that it’s okay to advocate for what’s essential. I also want Ballet Brown to be a conversation with dance studios and spaces that invite young dancers in.
Can you tell us more about the term “ballet brown”?
I coined the term “ballet brown” really to fill a void and capture more of the beauty of ballet and in dance as a whole. We commonly refer to “ballet pink” and not just in dance—so it really surprised me that we had yet to succinctly name and qualify “ballet brown.” So, to create parity between the two partners, I began using the term “ballet brown” in my own language and saw firsthand how it helped to grow perceptions/a mindset in those around me. I wanted to share that with the whole world. My call to action is simply to apply ballet brown in much the same way as ballet pink to ensure each dancer gets what they need. And it goes way beyond brown tights and shoes. I think taking that step helps expand the world of dance in the most amazing, positive ways.
Can you tell me more about the process of getting this book published?
I was already in touch with Scholastic after being interviewed around More than Peach, and of course I already knew and loved their books. The Scholastic Book Fairs were also one of my favorite times during the school year! When interviewed, we talked about all of the things I was up to at the time and writing a book was one. So, when they offered to become my publisher, it was a huge honor and a no-brainer.
What was the most unexpected or surprising part of writing and publishing a children’s book?
I think one of the most surprising things has been seeing my first book published in other world languages (English, Spanish, and French) and being able to literally see it change the world . . . one crayon at a time! Early on, I was also surprised at how long the process takes from start to finish. For example, I began writing MORE THAN PEACH, my first children’s book, in early 2020 once Covid hit because suddenly I had way more time on my hands. (It was published in July 2022.) It’s also been at least 2 years since I began writing Ballet Brown so to see it finally arrive feels surreal! I also never expected to see my books in so many places across the globe, including classrooms, libraries, and museums—even the Library of Congress!
What was your favorite part? I think I have two favorite parts: One is having the creative license to share my story, and the other is being able to collaborate with such a great team throughout the entire process.
What advice would you give to young writers or dancers hoping to follow in your footsteps?
I would say to trust yourself and know that you are the absolute best person to tell and celebrate the story inside of you.
Do you have any new creative projects in the works that you’d like to share about?
There’s a bunch going on! I’ve been very excited about the growth of More than Peach and would have never dreamed I would see my crayons on shelves at Target and other places and my books everywhere! Also, I have such worthwhile partnerships with educators that are growing, which means a lot because my dad’s an educator too, and teachers have always been some of my favorite people! I have also been writing my next book which I’m very excited about and hope to share more about that soon!
Thanks so much for sharing so much about your inspiring work! I’m sure readers can’t wait to see your next book!
celebratepicturebooks.com 