ABBOTT’S FROZEN CUSTARD CELEBRATES 100 YEARS

One hundred years ago, Arthur Abbott opened the first Abbott’s Frozen Custard stand at the corner of Lake and Beach Avenues.

That stand is still the heartbeat of the brand today, among seven other Abbott’s-owned stands and thirty-plus franchise locations.

“It is an incredible moment for everyone connected to Abbott’s at Lake Ave. We are extremely grateful for the 100 years of support from the community, as well as every crew member who scooped a cone of custard along the way,” says Brendan Drew, vice president of business development. “To celebrate this milestone is truly an honor for all of us.

Drew’s grandparents, Leonard and Thelma Schreiber, bought Abbott’s back in 1957, after working with the founder closely. The business has remained family-owned ever since.

Leonard’s guiding principle was a simple one: make sure every guest is happy. Thelma, known as Tiby to her family, was focused on cleanliness and posted a sign in the stand that read “If there’s time to lean, there’s time to clean.”

Continuing to focus on guest satisfaction and cleanliness, as well as using quality ingredients, has helped the brand remain successful, according to Drew.

Abbott’s will celebrate 100 years with “community-focused festivities” on July 17, including special guest appearances, a visit by the Seneca Park Zoomobile, a face painter, family games and activities, and more. A portion of the weekend’s proceeds will benefit the zoo’s conservation efforts. RSVPs are encouraged at abbottscustard.com/rsvp. 

NEIGHBORHOOD OF THE ARTS BLOCK PARTY

The Memorial Art Gallery (MAG) will host a block party on August 13 to mark the closing of its exhibit Determined to Be: The Sculpture of John Rhoden. The event is partially funded by a grant from the Art Bridges Foundation, supporting the exhibit.

The idea was to host a community-centered celebration of the artist’s work and themes explored therein. 

“Our programming team ... [was] especially inspired by the movement and fluidity present throughout [Rhoden’s] sculptures—elements that are also highlighted in the exhibition’s video interpretation developed by Garth Fagan Dance,” says Lea Kone, creative workshops director at MAG. “We wanted to bring those ideas of movement, creativity, and community into practice through an interactive public celebration that encourages visitors to engage with art in an active, shared way.”

The event will feature opportunities for hands-on sculpting experiences, movement workshops to include Zumba and yoga, and dance performances. There will be live music onsite and food available for guests. There will also be guided museum tours.

“This event reflects MAG’s ongoing commitment to creating accessible and welcoming arts experiences that connect visual art with performance, movement, and community engagement,” says Kone. “We’re excited to offer visitors a unique opportunity to experience the exhibition in a dynamic and celebratory way before it closes.” mag.rochester.edu/event/nota-block-party 

CELEBRATING GERMAN HERITAGE AND CULTURE

The Federation of German American Societies in Rochester has hosted its German Festival in Monroe County for the past 120 years.

Of course, much has changed for the event in its century-plus history, and in recent years, those changes have included the addition of a biergarten, kids’ raffle, and photo booth, as well as an expanded Kid’s Corner and drink selection.

“This is a fun event for families to attend together,” says Stephanie Ziegler, festival co-chair. “There are things to keep kids and adults entertained, and everyone gets a chance to experience some authentic German culture.”

The cultural celebration also includes live music and dance performances, with appearances by Die Lustigen Almdudler, the Germania Singers, and Rochester German Dancers. Authentic German food, like potato salad, sauerkraut, and meat will be available, as well as kuchen, cake, and other desserts from Malek’s bakery in Brighton and Savoia Pastry Shoppe in Rochester.

The beer slide is a unique attraction at the German Fest—guests slide a beer stein down a twelve-foot platform and try to land it in a small circle for a chance at a prize.

At a small tent at the front of the festival, there will be a genealogy table and information on the federation and German history. Vendors will be set up offering flower crowns, hair braiding services, jewelry and more. Local food and alcohol vendors will also be onsite.

This event takes place August 7–8 in Spencerport. rochestergerman.org/events 

This article originally appeared in the Summer 2026 issue of (585) Kids.

JULY 9–18

A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD

This Tony-nominated musical follows Arnold Lobel’s classic characters, Frog and Toad, through four seasons of friendship. The musical opens with the friends waking from hibernation in spring and ends with a sledding adventure in the winter.

Bristol Valley Theater; 117 S. Main St.,

Naples; 374-9032; bvtnaples.org 

JULY 12

CORN HILL ARTS FESTIVAL

At this year’s 58th annual Corn Hill Arts Festival, more than 300 artists of all mediums will show their work, and live music will play across four stages. The Community and Family Fun area will feature a display of LEGO creations, chalk art, bounce houses, fairy houses, and more. 

133 S. Fitzhugh St.; 857-0369

cornhillartsfestival.com 

JULY 18

StART WITH A STORY

Kids can participate in story time and create art at StART with a Story at the Memorial Art Gallery’s Vanden Brul Pavilion. Snacks will be available, as well as toys and books for kids to explore. A guided tour of the gallery is also included, and this event is free; no registration required.

10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Memorial Art Gallery; 500 University Ave.;

276-8900; mag.rochester.edu 

AUG. 1

PARK AVE’S SUMMER STROLL

Local businesses and services will be highlighted during this year’s Summer Stroll. Live music will play at the corner of Park and Barrington Streets, and artists will vend from the Rochester Museum & Science Center grounds. Activities for children will be available along the avenue. Visitors can stop into ten shops to be entered in a raffle.

10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Park Ave.; park-avenue.org 

AUG. 13

MAG’S NEIGHBORHOOD OF THE ARTS BLOCK PARTY

In celebration of the closing of sculptor John Rhoden’s exhibition at the Memorial Art Gallery, the organization is hosting a free neighborhood block party. The event will feature opportunities for making art, as well as yoga and Zumba workshops, dance performances, live music, food, and more.

4–8 p.m.

Memorial Art Gallery; 500 University Ave.;

276-8900; mag.rochester.edu 

AUG. 15

PANAMANIAN GOLDEN FROG DAY

In celebration of the critically endangered Panamanian Golden Frog, the Seneca Park Zoo is hosting its annual celebration to raise awareness of the animal. The event will feature cultural dance performances, hands-on learning opportunities, and more.

Seneca Park Zoo; 2222 St. Paul St.;

336-7200; senecaparkzoo.org 

SEPT. 19 & 20

PURPLE PAINTED LADY FESTIVAL

Ten charities and organizations will benefit from the proceeds of this year’s Purple Painted Lady Festival, including Honor Flight Rochester and the Palmyra Community Center. The event is expected to host 350 artists, twenty-five food trucks, and nine bands. Live music will be played on two stages.

Fig Hollow Barn; 880 Yellow Mills Rd.,

Palmyra; thepurplepaintedladyfestival.com

SEPT. 19

PIRATE BRUNCH CRUISE

The Colonial Belle will host a Pirate Brunch Cruise on International Talk Like a Pirate Day. The cruise will depart from Fairport and ride into Pittsford and back. Guests are encouraged to wear pirate attire and bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate to the Pirate Toy Fund. Interactive entertainment will be provided by The Happy Pirates, and the ship will be decorated with a pirate theme.

11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.

The Colonial Belle; 400 Packetts Lndg.,

Fairport; 223-9470; colonialbelle.com

SEPT. 26 & 27

APPLEUMPKIN FESTIVAL

Hundreds of craft vendors will line the street during Wyoming’s AppleUmpkin Festival. Dance performances will take place on Main Street, and numerous bands will play between the Village Park Music Tent and the Village Hall Lawn Music Tent. An antique show and sale will take place at Village Hall.

10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Village Hall of Wyoming; 9 S. Academy St.,

Wyoming; 495-9940; appleumpkin.com

Except where noted, all events take place in the area code (585).

Have an event of your own to publicize? You can add it to our online calendar at 585kids.com. You may also email details to cg****@58****.com .

This article originally appeared in the Summer 2026 issue of (585) Kids.

It’s the time of year for new routines or returning to old routines long forgotten in the lazy days of summer. This means packing lunches, having easy breakfast food ready to grab on the way out the door, and planning for dinners. For some this can seem like a daunting task. It doesn’t have to be. I’ve previously discussed having a formula for the week. For example: Meatless Monday, Taco Tuesday, Pasta Wednesdays, etc.

Or perhaps each family member picks a day of the week to prepare dinner.

In the busyness of sports routines, music lessons, homework, and meetings, thinking of what to make for dinner is that last thing that one wants to do at 5 p.m., particularly if there are hungry teenagers or whiny children asking, “WHAT’S FOR DINNER?” Planning ahead is key. 

Don’t forget about the crockpot! It is both a timesaver and a great way to prep for more than one dinner or to have leftovers for lunches.

Cold dinners always work well. We always talk about breakfast for dinner, but what about lunch for dinner? Sandwiches and fruit salad, cut up veggies and dip, and a big bowl of pretzels or chips are sure to feed a hungry crowd. Dinner certainly doesn’t have to be fancy, and it doesn’t even always have to be cooked!

September is the perfect time of year to use all those fresh tomatoes for homemade tomato soup!

Here’s to a back to school season of ease and fun!

INGREDIENTS

-Fresh tomatoes 

-Salt and pepper

-Olive oil 

-Vegetable or chicken broth

-Garlic 

-Milk, cream, or Boursin cheese (optional)

DIRECTIONS

Use a big sheet pan to roast the tomatoes with the olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper. Add to a blender or food processor. Pour into a soup pot with chicken or vegetable broth and some milk or cream if you like. Add in half a wheel of Boursin cheese to really make it delicious. If you don’t want to make your own soup, adding the Boursin to store-bought soup also takes it up a notch.

Serve your tomato soup with elevated grilled cheese sandwiches. In addition to cheese, add in some of the ingredients below to wow your family.

-Grilled turkey or ham 

-Thinly sliced apples or pears 

-Brie and jam 

-Pesto

-Caramelized onions

-Sliced tomato

-Grainy mustard

This article originally appeared in the Summer 2026 issue of (585) Kids.

The start of the school year can bring kids new energy, excitement, experiences—and books! Teachers and librarians introduce fresh stories for all kinds of readers and give students a chance to revisit old favorites. Every season, there are dozens of new releases for all grade levels, from picture books to middle grade comics and novels for teens. Here are some with school settings to get them pepped and prepped for fall.

PICTURE BOOKS

Better Than a Touchdown

By Jalen Hurts & Nneka Myers

Flamingo, 2026, hardcover, $19.99

The Philadelphia Eagles quarterback authors and stars in this book about a boy who’s excited for the new school year—until he learns the football program is cut. Can he find a way to save his favorite sport?

Getting Ready for Second Grade

By Vera Ahiyya & Debby Rahmalia

Random House, 2026, paperback, $5.99

This volume is part of the author’s Getting Ready series, where a student tackles a new school year with different classmates and changed routines. On the plus side? There’s a class pet!

Maya’s Big Question

By Meena Harris & Marissa Valdez

Little, Brown, 2026, hardcover, $18.99

On a class trip to Washington, D.C., Meena wonders why most of the statues are of men. The answer inspires her to create monuments for women in her own community.

Maya’s World

By Andrea Pippins

Random House, 2026, hardcover, $18.99

A young artist’s classmates don’t understand her artwork. Is the way she sees the world wrong? Or is her creativity something to be celebrated?

CHAPTER BOOK

Sebastian Metzger Solves a Sticky Situation

By Kyle Lukoff & Kat Fajardo 

Little, Brown, 2026, paperback, $6.99

The eleventh book in The Kids in Mrs. Z’s Class multi-authored series stars Sebastian, a third grade student who checks out a brand new library book only to have his sister ruin it. Will he ever be able to face his school librarian again?

MIDDLE GRADE

Aftermyth

By Tracy Wolff

Simon & Schuster, 2026, hardcover, $18.99

Sister and brother twins arrive at their Greek-based academy ready to excel, but nothing goes as they predicted, and the magic begins to break the world they thought they knew.

A Kid Like Me: A Graphic Novel

By Norm Feuti

HarperAlley, 2026, paperback, $15.99

Evan just wants to use his old cell phone and play his card game with his best friend in peace. When middle school starts, the rules of fitting in begin to change, and Evan’s not sure he can keep up.

No Way Never Sisters

By Chantel Acevedo & Natalia Sylvester

Simon & Schuster, 2026, paperback, $8.99

Two classmates, who are definitely not friends, watch in horror as their parents date each other. The girls vow to break them up so they never become sisters.

Offside: A Graphic Novel

By Christina Diaz

Gonzalez & Mari Costa

Graphix, 2026, paperback, $14.99

Nicky is happy that the middle school soccer team is going co-ed, but Al is not. Will they ever be able to be on the same team in name and spirit?

Raven, Rising

By Christine Hartman Derr

Heartdrum, 2026, hardcover, $18.99

Raven is already making enemies at her new school while working through grief and loss, but with the help of two friends and magical baking skills, her life may work out yet.

YOUNG ADULT

Morbid Curiosities

By S. Hati 

Feiwel & Friends, 2026, hardcover, $20.99

Aarya gets into a prestigious life sciences school only to be tormented by people who don’t want her there—and someone who urges her to find out what nefarious purposes the school really holds.

Ramin Abbas Has Major Questions

By Ahmad Saber

Simon & Schuster, 2026, hardcover, $21.99

At his new Islamic private school, Ramin falls for the captain of the soccer team and tries to make his conflicting feelings fit into his religion and life.

Shards of Silence

By Brian Lee Young

Heartdrum, 2026, hardcover, $19.99

At Sagefield Academy, Derrick is struggling while away from his familiar rez life. When he realizes what his term paper should be on, he has a renewed energy to make the most of his opportunity and grandmother’s memory.

Steam: A Graphic Novel

By Shaenon K. Garrity & Emily Holden

Margaret K. McElderry, 2026, paperback, $14.99

A humanoid science experiment escapes the university lab where she was created and gets a job at the college coffee shop. Out in the real world, she goes to great lengths to avoid returning to her less-human life.

Storm Breaker

By Nisha J. Tuli

Mayhem, 2026, hardcover, $24.99

In a dystopian, magical world, Poet’s entrance to Amery Academy does not go as expected, and she must choose between securing her future or falling for a dangerous outsider.

This article originally appeared in the Summer 2026 issue of (585) Kids.

New school year beginning? Playing on a different lacrosse team? Invited to a new friend’s house? While all of these are exciting, they can also make you feel like you have little butterflies flying around in your tummy or head. It is completely OK to feel this way. We all do at times. BIG feelings often need a little help to get you started on your way to enjoying each new adventure. Let’s help you find your brave inner self!

A great first step is to “reset” your brain, sort of like telling it to stop and be present. Take a deep calming breath. It doesn’t have to be loud or big, just enough to tell your brain and body that you’re going to be OK.

Then get started on 5–4–3–2–1! All you need is your senses to unlock the reset. Try our countdown to help you feel more comfortable right where you are!

5 things you can SEE

Look closely, notice big things like clouds or tiny specks on your desktop. Maybe you see a brightly colored t-shirt or the color of a house nearby. Five goes by quickly!

4 things you can HEAR

Listen with your eyes wide open or closed tightly, whichever way feels better to you. Listen with elephant ears to faraway sounds or ant ears to hear soft sounds close to you.

3 things you can TOUCH

Feel textures! Try to find something soft, something rough, and maybe even something a little surprising.

2 things you can SMELL

This may be a little hard to discover at first but notice the fresh grass or dirt on the soccer field. Take a deep breath in and imagine your favorite treat like cookies baking or piping hot pizza!

1 thing you can TASTE

Does this seem impossible in the middle of a new classroom or playdate? Imagine the last thing you ate, the taste of toothpaste, or the next thing that you’d like to eat. Use your imagination.

By the time you’ve finished counting down, has your brain switched from “OH NO” to “OH WOW?” You can use this strategy anywhere, anytime, at any age. You can even teach your parents how to switch things up. Discover a new way to give your brain and body a little rest together.

Remember that to be your best self, it’s good to have strategies you can “COUNT” on!

This article originally appeared in the Summer 2026 issue of (585) Kids.

If someone mentions the RMSC Strasenburgh Planetarium, most people think about stars, planets, and space. The dome also serves as the perfect backdrop for laser shows. Set to music and primarily created in-house, these “dancing” lasers and images have attracted new audiences to the planetarium for more than fifty years.

In 1973, filmmaker Ivan Dryer (1939–2017), "the father of the laser light industry," founded Laserium. After visiting a Caltech laser lab, Dryer became interested in merging films and lasers and so began his successful enterprise. Planetariums like RMSC’s hosted Laserium’s traveling shows during the 1970s.

In 1982, the Planetarium hired an outside programmer to create its own original shows. “I was fascinated by the laser technology and had the opportunity to play around with the control board when we weren’t running shows,” says Joe Ricci, senior manager of technology at RMSC.

Ricci’s personal history with the Planetarium spans nearly as long as the laser shows have been running. At age thirteen, he became a volunteer and helped with tech- related projects. When he turned sixteen, he was hired as a part-time employee, where his first job was to prepare slides and show materials to sell to other planetariums. He also worked as a building attendant and in collections documentation, all the while volunteering to run shows, until he graduated from high school and became a paid show operator.

“I eventually learned how to create various abstract laser designs and also built a computer-based system to display animated laser graphics,” says Ricci. 

With his self-taught skills, Ricci programmed three laser songs using an analog laser image generator and computer-based animations. He recorded them on reel-to- reel tape, which was how they were shown to audiences at the time, and played them for the planetarium director. Clearly impressed, the director contracted Ricci to create a laser show for the planetarium: Laser Motion ’86. Soon after, Ricci was hired full-time by RMSC to produce laser shows and perform technical work at the planetarium—no more outside programmer needed!

Since then, the technology has been continuously updated and improved. The reel-to-reel tape recordings were digitized, and by 2012, they switched to Pangolin Laser Systems programmable timeline software.

“Content elements are placed on a timeline for each song, where various effects such as color, movement, and rotation are added. We also augment the lasers with immersive effects using our Digistar Fulldome Visualization System,” says Ricci. “In 2020, we installed a state-of-the- art laser system consisting of nine projectors. Five of these projectors are designed to create overhead atmospheric beam effects.”

As for the music, the songs were originally chosen by radio stations that sponsored the shows. That format began to phase out, and the music compilations sold fewer tickets. Today, Ricci, the Planetarium Director, and the RMSC marketing team “try to choose artists who we expect to be popular and that would work well with laser effects in the dome environment,” says Ricci. “This has typically been classic rock and pop music.”

Now, the planetarium produces its own shows, paying music licensing organizations for fair use of the songs. It also brings in some from Laser Fantasy, “the worldwide leader in planetarium laser light shows,” according to its website.

Over the years, laser shows set to the music of Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, and the Beatles have been among the planetarium’s most popular offerings, while newer productions featuring artists and themes such as Daft Punk, Bad Bunny, and Stranger Things continue to draw large audiences. The most successful laser show in the planetarium’s history was Laser Taylor Swift, which debuted during the 2023–2024 Eras Tour and remains a crowd favorite today. Another longtime favorite is the annual holiday laser show, a family-friendly tradition that regularly sells out performances from Thanksgiving through the New Year.

Laser Fantasy has also produced Laser ABBA, which opens at the planetarium on July 11. Ricci and his team are producing their own version of Laser Genesis with Phil Collins later in 2026.

If watching these laser shows piques kids’ interest in learning more about the technology, they are in luck—RMSC recently added a summer Curiosity Camp called “Laser Focus.” Campers ages twelve to fourteen will learn about lasers, light, and color, then work together to create a laser show. At the end of the week, they get to see their own work projected inside the dome! It is an amazing STEAM opportunity for budding artists and programmers.

Ricci also shared that a few years ago, he snuck something new into the shows: “A frog appears somewhere in every show. Some are obvious and some not so much, only visible for a fraction of a second.” It started when he added a frog background to Laser Taylor Swift during the song “Love Story.” Now he sneaks this “Easter egg” into all his shows. See if you can find the amphibian during your visit!

Music and light lovers are encouraged to peruse the planetarium’s calendar for the laser show that fits their vibe. RMSC recommends buying your tickets online in advance, as shows may sell out. Remaining tickets will be available at the planetarium box office before the show. Seating is first-come, first-served. Shows are recommended for ages 5 and up and are $14 for adults, $12 for college students, ages 5 to 18, and ages 62 and up. Discounted tickets are offered for members. 

Sit back, relax, and let yourself be immersed in this multi-sensory experience. rmsc.org 

This article originally appeared in the Summer 2026 issue of (585) Kids.

What has twelve legs, weighs more than twelve tons, and acts as an ambassador to an international foundation? Why the Seneca Park Zoo’s (SPZ) trio of African elephants, of course. Meet Genny C, Lilac, and Mokie!

At age forty-nine, Genny C is the oldest elephant at SPZ and one of the oldest in American conservation care. Genny C is a patient and vocal elephant who enjoys spending time with her caregivers. Because of her age and arthritis in her joints, her tusks were trimmed. This takes some weight and pressure off her legs. The shorter tusks also make it easier for her to get up after sleeping on her cozy hill in the barn. After all, a lady’s got to rest!

Lilac, age forty-eight, was born in 1978 and came to SPZ in 1979 with Genny C. She is the spunky girl, always interested in the new enrichment toys and games the zookeepers provide. She enjoys playing chase—even if Genny C and Moki aren’t into it—and makes her trainers work hard to win her over. See if you can spot her fuzzy red hair on top of her head!

Moki, age forty-four, came to SPZ in 2015. She is the elephant who is extremely food-motivated and loves sharing hay baskets with Genny C. Moki is the heaviest of the bunch at 9,000 pounds. She enjoys waving and stretching her trunk—and can even make a unique sound from it!

All three are beloved ambassadors for their species and the only African elephants in New York State. “Their presence has inspired many New York residents to care for and conserve elephants and the places they live,” says SPZ Zoo Keeper, Kat Kleinschmidt. “African elephants are very expressive and it is rewarding to learn each of their personalities.”

Elephants are the largest living animal on the planet, so it’s no wonder they impress zoo visitors. Out of the three species of elephant, Genny C, Lilac, and Moki are from those that grow to be the biggest: African bush elephants. They are slightly larger than African forest elephants, and have wider ears than Asian elephants. Over the course of the day, they eat 300 pounds of food (including leaves, branches, fruit, and grass) and drink fifty gallons of water!

These weighty friends are extremely strong and smart. All three understand and respond to more than fifty verbal commands. This also makes creating enrichment opportunities a challenge—the zookeepers have to always be one step ahead of them. They give the small “herd” balls to play with, ropes to tug, and containers filled with treats for them to manipulate. That is where their trunks become key.

An elephant’s trunk has more muscles in it than the entire human body! Not only can an elephant siphon up to two and a half gallons of water into its trunk to drink or spray, but it can also act like a hand, nose, foot, and snorkel, reaching out to eight feet long. When a baby elephant is born, it it takes longer to learn how can stand and walk quickly, but to operate its trunk.

Both male (“bull”) and female (“cow”) African elephants have tusks, which are used for digging, lifting, moving, and defending. While people can be right or left-handed, elephants can be “right-tusked” or “left-tusked.” You can usually tell which side they favor because one tusk will be more worn down than the other. These special teeth will grow throughout their lives.

Sadly, an elephant’s tusks are one of the reasons they are an endangered species. Poachers (people who illegally hunt animals) hunt elephants so they can take and sell their ivory tusks. A second main reason for their endangerment is environmental. Humans are reducing the range of the elephants’ forests and grasslands in Africa (and Asia).

By the end of 2026, the Seneca Park Zoo Society will have donated $100,000 to the International Elephant Foundation.

“The International Elephant Foundation is a global leader in protecting African and Asian elephants,” says Kleinschmidt. “Their support in conservation projects assists in reducing human-elephant conflict, restores ecosystems, combats poaching, and uplifts local communities who live alongside elephants.”

Every visit to SPZ helps promote the understanding and importance of each species, the environment, and animal rescue efforts. For anyone who would like to get to know Genny C, Lilac, and Moki a better, tickets can be bought for an Elephant Encounter. The price of $150 includes a conservation donation and makes a great gift for those age eight and up. Available Sundays and Thursdays, visitors can tour the elephants’ barn and learn more about each of the girls!

Whether you can come to SPZ just once, monthly, or weekly this season, make sure to take the “Step into Africa” and say hello to these amazing elephant ambassadors.

senecaparkzoo.org/african-elephant

This article originally appeared in the Summer 2026 issue of (585) Kids.

Audrey is searching for kids in the Rochester area who are doing big things.

Today she interviews twelve-year-old author Amirah Abdoch. She is a seventh grader at Dake Junior High School in West Irondequoit who loves chorus, math, snowboarding, track, sambusa, and pizza. Amirah has three younger sisters and a mini goldendoodle named Gingerbread.

Your book is a compilation of stories written by your family. Can you tell us about it?

It’s called A Collector’s Book, but we call it Color Your World. My story is “Flower Power.” It’s about this rainbow flower with these amazing petals. She meets this flower with no color, and she gives her color to that flower and all the flowers that don’t have color. She’s known as the prettiest and most magical flower because of her kindness. 

Where did you get the idea to write it?

The City of Rochester library system did a scavenger hunt with stickers. Every day after summer camp we got these stickers. My mom was like “Oh, I can make a bunch of stories about these,” so then we’re like, “That’d be really fun if we did that.” So, we all randomly picked a sticker and then we made the book. We all worked together on it.

How did your book become available for people at the Winton Library?

We met this librarian, Kathy Wolf, who was really nice. My mom showed her the book, and she said she’d take it to the people that were running the sticker collection. Then they emailed to say, “We’ll make you published authors,” and I thought that was so cool, and I was so happy!

What do you love about the library?

I like everything about it! I love all the colors. Sometimes when I go to the library, I get bored so I play this game and I have to find a book that I like in each row. It’s really fun!

What is your favorite book?

Ten Blind Dates by Ashley Elston. It’s a Christmas book about this girl that goes on ten blind dates, and her family sets it up. It’s super good!

How does it feel to be a published author?

I feel like I’m famous! Every day I think, “Oh wait, I’m a published author,” And I’m so happy! It feels unbelievable, because I thought it was only if you have like 3,000 books.

Was this the first book you’ve ever made?

No, I make stories about everything I see. I’ll be in the car, and I’ll see something and think, “What if there was someone in there and they were hiding out?” I’ve been writing since I was nine.

Do you have a secret talent?

Yes, I’m a singer! I’m going to attend the School of the Arts for voice this fall. I love R & B music and singers like Ella Mai, Beyonce, and Whitney Houston.

What do you want to do when you grow up?

I want to be a singer, but I also want to be a writer, an actor, and a producer too. I want to be everything!

Is there anyone else you want people to know about you?

That you’ll see me on TV one day!

This article originally appeared in the Summer 2026 issue of (585) Kids.