Tatyana Ali, best known for her role on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, visited elementary scholars at Spann and Shirley recently and delivered a special reading of her children’s book, Aszi and the Octopus, inspired by her son’s love for octopuses.

Ali brought storytime to life, engaging scholars in a meaningful, interactive experience that sparked imagination and curiosity.

“The book is called Aszi and the Octopus, and I hope it inspires the children who hear it to dive deep into their own imagination and dreams,” said Ali. “That’s a very magical place. When children feel comfortable sharing their ideas, it becomes a powerful entry point for reading and learning, including numeracy. From there, their foundation is set, and they’re off to the races.”

Each scholar received a copy of the book to take home, extending the joy of reading beyond the classroom. Special thanks to Scholastic and the Mississippi Book Festival for sponsoring these visits that serve as a powerful celebration of literacy, representation, and diversity in literature.