Words of Wonder from Z to A

by Zaila Avant-Garde, Keisha Morris (Illustrator)

An inspiring picture book from Scripps National Spelling Bee champ Zaila Avant-garde, filled with her favorite motivational words from Z to A. Perfect for your little book lover and spelling ace!

When 14-year-old Zaila Avant-garde became the first Black American student to win the Scripps National Spelling Bee in 2021, the world took notice.

Now, this extraordinary speller, writer, and basketball champ celebrates the world of words, with 26 of Zaila's favorite words, such as KINDNESS, HOPE, and RESILIENCE, alongside Zaila's encouraging and poetic thoughts.

Each bright and busy page also includes an inspiring quotation from a famous thought leader. And an afterword to the book details the fascinating origins of each word.

It's an uplifting picture book packed with motivation, learning, and fun, from one of America's most promising, unique, and accomplished young people.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

40 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 27, 2023

Reviews

[Caroline · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is an interesting book full of words, told from z-a with lots and lots of words and definitions all throughout. So many words. Too many words. An overwhelming number of words. I liked the idea behind this book, but I’m not sure who would sit down and read through this book. Could be fun in a classroom setting if you worked through a page each week? But it was a little too busy for me.

[Taylor Coonelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Words of Wonder from Z to A is vibrantly illustrated and inspiring book filled with 26 words descending in the alphabet like Why, Together, Optimism, Family and more. Each page features the word, as well as a quote from an inspirational figure with that word, starting with Z for the author's first name and A for her last. The illustrations not only feature Zaila, but other diverse characters and family dynamics, and are brightly colored and reminiscent of children's drawings. I loved this picture book, and I think it would be an incredible addition to a picture book collection. This book focuses a lot on kindness, tolerance, and imagination, and uses everyday situations juxtaposed with life lessons from people like Barack Obama and Albert Einstein. I definitely think that this book would be chosen by students based on the vibrant cover, and I can think of several curricular uses for this picture book besides for general circulation amongst students. This book can be used for a multitude of lessons on concepts that are aforementioned in the book, could be used during a spelling unit, could be highlighted during Black History Month as the author was the first Black American to win the Scripps Spelling Bee in 100 Years or during a research unit on influential young people (Zaila won at the age of 14), and much more. After reading, the class could even have their own spelling bee (with grade appropriate words), or discuss what the words chosen in the story mean to them. A must add for elementary library collections.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I like the reversal of the alphabet from Z to A and the positive messages threaded through this picture book's pages, it didn't hold much appeal for me. The words of wonder were, for the most part, words with which many students would already be familiar, and the artwork didn't particularly grab me. Some pages were just more attractive than others and were clean and crisp while others seemed a bit cluttered. The addition of inspiring words from other famous individuals is a nice addition, but the font size used for those is so small that the quotes can be easily overlooked. All in all, the book is a nice effort, but I'd have rather have had a picture book focused on Avant-Garde herself and her path to the spelling bee. Still, despite my criticisms, plenty of youngsters may feel inspired by her example to dream big, work hard for a goal, and never lose hope.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is magical. It is a dictionary of a National Spelling Bee Champion's favorite words. It is so much more than just a list of words. Avant-Garde and illustrator Keisha Morris have created a FABULOUS teaching tool in this book! I run the spelling bee in both of my elementary schools and this book will be added to both schools. I love the word choices, I love the quotes, I love the design on each page that is so interesting and fun! The end pages at the back of the book is a complete list of all of the words. I could not love this book more!

Thank you, Zaila, for sharing your spelling joy!

[Read Ribbet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zaila Avant-Garde frames a reverse alphabet book about inspirational words using her first and last names. This Scripps National Spelling Bee winner. Words featured are used in multiple ways on each page. Each page also includes a quote from a famous person using that word. The end pages describe the origins of each of the selected words. This is a wonderful celebration of words and their power to inspire and would be a great addition to any home or classroom collection..

[Margaret Boling · Rating 5 out of 5]

7/8/2023 ~ I thought the format of this book was fascinating; for starters, it's a Z to A book, rather than an A to Z book. Each letter stood for a word related to achieving goals or believing in oneself. Another interesting component is that each double page spread had a relevant quote from a famous/literary person. I look forward to sharing this book with my students.

[Brooke - TheBrookeList · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute, but I was hoping for different or fun words. These were pretty basic letter choices that felt like an overly-didactic self-affirmation. Positive and optimistic book that encourages self-confidence and individuality.

Read as a nomination in the 2023 Fiction Picture Book book award category as a panelist for Children's and Young Adult Bloggers' Literary Awards (Cybils Awards).

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like what the book was trying to do, but for a picture book it is WAY too wordy. I think that a teacher could use this book over the course of a month and focus on a few different words highlighted inside. Examples of words: Victory, Unique, Together, Sacrifice, Resilience, Quiet...and so on through the alphabet. Overall a good message but too wordy.

[Jeimy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is probably a three-star read, but the illustrations and final endpapers brought it up to a five. An unusual alphabet book, each page also includes a quote featuring the word, but the endpapers have the words' etymology!

[Anne Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

A positive book with lots of words to ponder and digest. This book is designed for a one-sitting read through. Too many new words at once for little minds. Check this one out from the library and savor it together with your family over the check-out period.

[Kiera Beddes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite alphabet book. There is a lot happening on the page. Between the writing, illustrations, spelling, and inspirational quote, I just feel that young readers might have a difficult time processing all of it.

[Y.Poston]

an inspiring look at a Spelling Bee winner,
an encouraging message for those who love words

[Beth Kakuma-Depew · Rating 2 out of 5]

Text is small and the art is too busy for this to be used in a class room setting. This would work best as a one-on-one book read by a caregiver to a child.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Scripps Spelling Bee campion Zaila Avant-Garde shares 26 of her favorite words with a quote and a few line on why that word is a word of wonder.