Little kids have big dreams, and Terry’s Many Hats and Maya’s Big Question encourages them to chart their own paths and celebrate the past.
Written by athlete, actor and artist, Terry Crews, and Meena Harris, bestselling author of Ambitious Girl, the two books feature thoughtful prose and bold illustrations. Learn more about the books below.
TERRY’S MANY HATS, by Terry Crews and Tanisha Cherislin, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, April 7, 2026, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 4-8)
Terry is a talented kid with big dreams and a whole lot of hats. On the football field, he’s a star, and when he takes off his helmet, he puts on his other hats: in his beret he becomes an artist, in his chef’s hat he cooks, and in his sparkly top hat, he’s a magician!
Everyone’s always telling him he can only be one thing and do one thing. But Terry’s just the kid to prove that his dreams—and his hats—are limitless. —Synopsis provided by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
MAYA’S BIG QUESTION, by Meena Harris and Marissa Valdez, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, March 3, 2026, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 6 and up)
Maya is proud of who she is: a curious kid who loves to ask questions. When her class takes a trip to Washington, DC, and only visits monuments dedicated to men, Maya asks: “Where are all the women?” With help from a park ranger who knows that asking questions is one of the most powerful things you can do, Maya decides to celebrate the women in her community with a monument of their own. But how can a kid build something so big? It takes creativity, community, and ambition—and Maya is the right person for the job!
Inspired by real-life park ranger Betty Reid Soskin, this latest book from #1 New York Times bestselling author Meena Harris encourages kids to question the status quo, and to embrace their part in writing the next chapter of history. —Synopsis provided by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
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