The friends

🌸 Meet Nia & Zuri

Our Signature Mascots

Nia in her pink plaid dress with a matching pink plaid bow, holding hands with Zuri in her tan plaid dress and matching tan plaid bow, both with beaded braids in a flower field

Nia and Zuri welcome families into Growing Through Words. Nia is the encouraging one, she loves books and cheers for every brave try. Zuri is the curious one, she asks questions, spots new words and turns anything into an adventure. They always appear together, in Nia's pink plaid and Zuri's tan plaid, through every story, activity and celebration.

🌸

Nia

Signature Mascot

“One word at a time — that's how we grow.”

Nia wears her pink plaid dress and pink plaid bow, with flower beads at the ends of her braids. She takes her time with words, and her time is always worth waiting for.

🌼

Zuri

Signature Mascot

“I'll wait as long as you need.”

Zuri wears her tan plaid dress and matching bow, with the same flower beads in her braids. She is the one who holds your hand and never rushes you.

Nia and Zuri seen from behind on pastel clouds, the quiet hero artwork of Growing Through Words

☁️ Follow them into the story world…

📚 Meet Wren, Our Story Star

The heart of every story

Zuri in her tan plaid dress, Wren in the middle wearing her pink signature hoodie and plaid skirt, and Nia in her pink plaid dress, standing together in a flower field

Wren is our Story Star, she'll take you on adventures through books, games and activities. (It's pronounced “Ren”, the W stays quiet.) She has a whole book series of her own, she changes outfits with every season and story, and she feels everything out loud: nervous, silly, proud, brave. Nia and Zuri walk beside her.

🌸 Meet the Friends of Growing Through Words

Meet Wren, Nia and Zuri, and the friends you'll meet throughout Growing Through Words.

⭐

Wren

Story Star

The storyteller. Learning to use her voice with courage and confidence.

💗

Nia

Mascot

The encourager. Kind, curious, and always ready to help a friend.

🦋

Zuri

Mascot

The explorer. Curious, brave, and turns everyday moments into adventures.

🌈 Meet More Friends

You'll meet these five friends throughout stories, games and everyday adventures.

🎨

Maya

Loves art

Maya makes colorful masterpieces and loves telling stories through her drawings. There is almost always paint on her cheek.

You'll find Maya in

Art activities
Color games
Creativity challenges
Storybook illustrations
Seasonal craft activities

⚽

Mateo

Loves soccer

Mateo invites everybody to play and cheers for every teammate, even the ones on the other side.

You'll find Mateo in

Outdoor games
Playground stories
Movement challenges
Teamwork activities
Sports-themed adventures

🤟

Amina

Loves signing

Amina teaches her friends simple signs and helps everyone feel seen and included. Signing is one more wonderful way people talk to each other.

You'll find Amina in

Friendship stories
Kindness activities
Communication moments
Circle time
Family activities

💬

Theo

Loves telling jokes

Theo has a big personality and a joke for every occasion. He uses an AAC talker to share his ideas, and his friends wait for the punchline every time.

You'll find Theo in

Classroom stories
Conversation games
Friendship books
Real-life communication activities

🌿

Kai

Loves nature

Kai notices the tiny details everyone else walks past. He wears hearing aids and is always first to spot a bird, a bug or a breeze.

You'll find Kai in

Nature walks
Listening games
Outdoor adventures
Animal stories
Park activities

Wren, Nia and Zuri are the heart of Growing Through Words. Maya, Mateo, Amina, Theo and Kai turn up along the way, different in so many ways, but together we grow. 💗