Linzy Binzy
Loving the Skin We're In
by Bonita T. Hampton Smith

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Every night, just as the world grows quiet, Linzy Binzy closes her eyes and opens the door to her wondrous world of “Let’s Pretend” where imagination becomes a passport, and every dream invites a new adventure. With a heart full of curiosity and a spirit eager to learn, Linzy travels to extraordinary places, meeting new friends who share their traditions, stories, and ways of seeing the world. Written with lyrical warmth and sprinkled with delightful discoveries, Linzy Binzy: Around the World with Friends gently weaves lessons of kindness, courage, empathy, and honoring what makes each child wonderfully unique into a rhythmic, read-aloud experience perfect for little learners. As Linzy journeys through her dreamscape, children are invited to explore geography, cultures, languages, and customs through a lens of wonder—strengthening imagination while nurturing the skills that help them connect deeply with others. A celebration of friendship, curiosity, and the beautiful possibilities that live inside every child’s imagination, this book reminds readers that, no matter where our adventures take us, the world feels a little smaller, and a lot brighter, when we explore it together. Ideal for children ages 4–8, bedtime reading, classroom circles, and anyone who believes that every great journey begins with a dream.

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Bonita Hampton Smith is an inspirational speaker, transformational teacher, and multi-published author whose stories celebrate self-love and the beauty of every child. Her newest book, Dear White Woman, Dear Black Woman (February 2025), offers letters of hope and healing, while her poetry collection Echoes of My Soul—first published in 2006—will be re-released in Fall 2026. Bonita created the Linzy Binzy: Around the World with Friends series to help children everywhere embrace who they are and love the skin they’re in. The first adventure, Loving Skin We’re In, was inspired by her niece, Lindsey Elizabeth Hampton, and by Bonita’s own journey toward self-acceptance. Her passion to uplift children deepened when her bonus daughter shared the hurt of being teased for her beautiful mocha complexion. Bonita lives in Grayson, Georgia, with her husband, Dr. Marvin Smith, and their bonus daughters, Makayla and Mariah. Through every book she writes, Bonita invites young readers to discover their inner sparkle and celebrate the magic of being uniquely themselves. “I believe the greatest gift of love we can impart to our children, second only to a love for God, is the unshakable ability to love themselves. Self-love is not a natural accident of growing up; it is a sacred lesson that must be intentionally nurtured and cultivated. As guardians of these extraordinary young souls, we are called to ensure they know the strength and beauty that dwell within them. Only when a child is rooted in self-love can they genuinely embrace, honor, and uplift others. My hope is that as children journey around the world with Linzy Binzy and her wonderful friends, they will joyfully celebrate the brilliance of who they are and the radiant skin they are in.” For more information about the author, visit www.bonitahamptonsmith.com. About the Illustrator: From the time she could hold a crayon, Elena has dreamed of filling the world with color and wonder. Linzy Binzy is her joyful debut as a published children’s book illustrator—a dream years in the making. She loves creating art that invites young readers to step into new worlds, return to them again and again, and discover something fresh each time. “I believe imagination is the passport to everywhere,” Elena says. “When a child opens a book, I want them to feel as if the pages can lift them beyond their room and show them how extraordinary they already are.” Elena lives in Atlanta with her two young daughters and their beloved Russian tortoise, Shelly. Whether she’s sketching characters at the kitchen table, painting a mural, or sharing bedtime stories with her girls, Elena infuses every moment with creativity and play. Follow her colorful adventures on Instagram @strokesbyelena and see where her imagination takes her next.

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Contributors

Author

Bonita T. Hampton Smith

Illustrator

Elena Estelle