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Representation that Radiates Joy

Sophie Washington: Queen of the Bee (Book 1) I Tonya Duncan Ellis

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This entertaining, illustrated, middle grade chapter book is the series opener.

Sign up for the spelling bee? No way!

If there's one thing 10-year-old Texan Sophie Washington is good at, it's spelling. She's earned straight 100s on all her spelling tests to prove it. Her parents want her to compete in the Xavier Academy spelling bee, but Sophie wishes they would buzz off. That's until her irritating classmate, Nathan Jones, challenges her. There's no way she can let Mr. Know-It-All win. Studying is hard when you have a pesky younger brother and a busy social calendar. Can Sophie ignore the distractions and become Queen of the Bee?

Here's what Goodreads reviewers say about Sophie Washington: Queen of the Bee:

  • "Another great Sophie Washington book. Super cute. My 11-year-old loves these books."
  • "As someone with a 10-year niece who is in fifth grade like Sophie, I believe that she would love this book and the rest of the Sophie Washington series by Tonya Duncan Ellis."
  • "This series will go far. The story is down to earth, realistic and easy to read."

Builds Confidence and Self-Love with Every Page

We don’t just include diverse books — we center them. Every story we carry celebrates BIPOC voices and puts underrepresented protagonists front and center, ensuring every child can say, “That’s me.”

Authored by a BIPOC Creator — Real Representation, not Tokenism

We intentionally seek out BIPOC and indie creators whose stories deserve to shine — building shelves you won’t find anywhere else.

Vetted by Educators and Families for Quality and Age-Fit

Find the perfect book tailored to your child’s age, interests, and identity, making storytime meaningful and engaging.

Every child deserves to see themselves in the books they read.

You know that feeling when your kid sees themselves in a book and suddenly walks a little taller? That’s what we’re here for. Our curated collection is handpicked for one purpose: to help every child feel seen, celebrated, and inspired to dream big—no more endless scrolling or settling for stories that fall short. Here, every book is chosen to nurture confidence, empathy, and cultural pride.

Meet the Founder

Hi, children’s book lover! I’m Kanika.

As a classroom teacher, I’d spent countless afternoons searching for stories where my students could see themselves and came up empty-handed. I was tired of books that treated diversity like a checkbox, or worse, turned childhood joy into trauma. So, I did what teachers do best — I built what was missing.

My best friend and I began curating, partnering with independent authors and BIPOC creators to source high-quality stories that celebrated identity and belonging. We turned our living rooms into libraries and our mission into movement.

In 2019, Stories of a Colorful World launched with a simple promise: no more token shelves, no more exhausting searches — just stories that reflect every child’s worth.

Today, our collection spans 300+ titles by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color authors — books that build empathy, pride, and confidence one story at a time.

  • Curated for Every Stage

    Our bookshop replaces overwhelm with ease: intentional, pre-vetted, and organized by what actually matters who your kids are becoming.

  • Building Empathy & Cultural Pride

    Each book is selected to stretch empathy, self-awareness, and cultural pride at every age and stage.

  • Stories They’ll Return To

    Our books are revisited again and again, with age-appropriate themes that build emotional intelligence, identity, and curiosity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are your books good gifts?

Yes! We offer curated bundles by age and theme — perfect for birthdays, holidays, and classrooms.

Can educators order in bulk?

Absolutely. We support schools, libraries, and community programs — contact us for custom quotes.

Do you offer digital books?

Not yet, but we’re exploring options for classrooms soon!

Because when children see themselves in stories, they don’t just read — they rise.