{"product_id":"words-are-magic-9780593571682","title":"Words Are Magic!","description":"\u003cb\u003eScripps National Spelling Bee champ Zaila Avant-garde shares her love of words with new readers in this level 1 Step Into Reading book.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ci\u003eWords are magic! Have you heard? Pick a letter. Make a word! \u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eNew 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. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eStep 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. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003eAlso available by Zaila Avant-garde: \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWords of Wonder from Z to A\u003cbr\u003eIt's Not Bragging If It's True\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eZAILA AVANT-GARDE\u003c\/b\u003e is a multi-talented powerhouse and a \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e 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. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eHailing 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. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eAvant-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). \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eHer 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. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003eFELICIA WHALEY \u003c\/b\u003eis 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.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Random House Books for Young Readers","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50578056282386,"sku":"9780593571682","price":14.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_fdda7efe-040a-4075-b56e-84cbb3de92b2.jpg?v=1731998342","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/words-are-magic-9780593571682","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}