WINGS Mini-Book Festival: A Week of Inspiration & Imagination
Five days, five themes, amazing guests and a whole lot of new books
Something amazing happened at the Arthur W. Christopher Community Center last week. From November 10th-14th, Wings for Kids teamed up with the Charleston Literary Festival and Books and Beyond to bring the first Mini-Book Festival to life—and wow, did our students show up ready to learn, laugh, and ask ALL the questions.
Over five afternoons, we welcomed astronauts, authors, artists, and leaders who shared their stories and experiences. Every single guest didn't just teach our kids something new about space or science or writing—they brought to life all the values we talk about every day at WINGS. Curiosity? Check. Perseverance? Double check. Learning it's okay to pivot when things aren't working? You bet.
Monday: To Infinity and Beyond
We kicked off the week by reaching for the stars with astronaut Charles F. Bolden and space scientist Les Johnson. And when we say astronaut, we mean the real deal—Mr. Bolden was NASA's first African-American Administrator and he commanded the first spaceflight led by an African American astronaut, flew four Space Shuttle missions, logging over 680 hours in space! Les Johnson has worked on some of NASA's most innovative space propulsion projects and has literally helped design ways to travel through the stars.
They shared stories of following dreams, working through tough situations, and persevering to achieve goals, and our students were mesmerized. But beyond the cool space facts, Mr. Bolden talked about how curiosity drove him from a small town all the way to NASA, and how many times he had to pick himself back up when things didn't go as planned. The best part? When students started asking questions like "Did you ever want to give up?" and "What was the scariest part?" we could see the dots connecting—even astronauts face challenges, and perseverance is what gets you through.
"This partnership represents exactly what we hope to achieve at Wings for Kids—creating enriching experiences that inspire our students and open doors to new possibilities. By bringing notable authors directly to our students, we're showing them that stories matter, voices matter, and that the world of literature is accessible to everyone." - Julia Rugg, CEO, Wings for Kids
Tuesday: Science Is Cool
Dava Sobel brought Marie Curie's story to life with The Elements of Marie Curie, and our students learned that being curious and asking questions—even if people tell you not to—can literally change the world. Marie Curie didn't have all the answers, but she wasn't afraid to ask the big questions and keep searching.
Ms. Sobel reminded our kids that asking questions isn't about not knowing—it's about wanting to know MORE. A powerful message for everyone.
Wednesday: The Power of Imagination
Hip-hop artist and Lowcountry native Benny Starr brought the energy on Wednesday—and he brought a message our kids won’t soon forget. Benny spoke about imagining beyond limitations and refusing to fit into a single box. He shared how his work blends hip-hop, gospel, jazz, blues, and more, reminding students that they don’t have to choose just one thing—you can be many things, and your creativity doesn’t have to stay in one lane.
During his visit, students called out different emotion words—everything from “excited” to “nervous” to “joyful”—and Benny immediately turned their suggestions into a freestyle rap. It was a powerful moment: our students watched someone take raw feelings and shape them into art right in front of them. His message was clear—your emotions, your story, and every part of who you are can fuel something incredible.
Thursday: Finding Your Voice
Writers Mercedes Rodriguez and Arshia Simkin reminded our students of something powerful: you are allowed to take up space in this world. They encouraged kids to show up fully—never shrinking themselves, their ideas, or their voices in any room or situation. Throughout the afternoon, they worked side-by-side with students to craft short stories, offering guidance, cheering on big ideas, and helping each child see that their perspective deserves to be heard. Their message was clear: your voice matters, your story matters, and you never have to make yourself smaller to fit in.
Thursday also included a special guest visit from Mayor of Charleston William Cogswell. While he encouraged students to keep thinking big and taking action toward their goals, the most memorable part of his visit came from the kids themselves. Completely unscripted, they asked him thoughtful, on-the-ground questions about their city and community—questions like, “What are you going to do to make Charleston better?” “What are you going to do about all the water and flooding?” and “When are you going to fix the bumpy roads?” Their curiosity and honesty showed just how deeply they care about where they live, and it gave the Mayor a meaningful glimpse into what matters most to Charleston’s youngest residents.
Friday: Leadership lessons from a Legend
We wrapped up the week with Congressman James Clyburn, who shared powerful stories from The First Eight about pioneering Black leaders who shaped our nation. He talked about setting big goals, persevering through injustice, and using your voice to make positive change.
When a student asked how they could become a leader, his answer was perfect: Start now. Ask questions. Care about your community. Set goals. And don't let anyone tell you you're too young to make a difference.
"Charleston Literary Festival is committed to ensuring that the joy of reading and the power of literature reach every corner of our community. Partnering with Wings for Kids and Books and Beyond allows us to connect distinguished authors with Charleston's children, helping them build not only literacy skills but also confidence, empathy, and a sense of possibility." - Sarah Moriarty, Executive Director of Charleston Literary Festival
It Takes A Village
This magical week wouldn't have been possible without our incredible partners. The Charleston Literary Festival brought world-class authors to our students, Books and Beyond made sure every child went home with books of their own, and Wings for Kids created the space where it all came together.