"I think people should learn
more history about books,"
Isabella said. The second
grader at Pea Ridge Schools
said most of her friends like
to read, and when she meets
people who don't like to read
she tells them books are "really
important."
Isabella is the daughter of
Cody and Stephanie Magnuson,
and the granddaughter of Diane
and Jim Murphy and Tina and
Mark Magnuson.
Stephanie said Isabella really
wanted to get into pageants,
and with that comes the
responsibility of representing
the community and the pageant
system.
"She wanted to do good with
her titles as she grows within
pageants and she chose reading
because it's one of her favorite
subjects," Stephanie said.
Giving away the books with a book
pillow combines two of her favorite things –
reading and sewing.
"She makes a pillow bag for all her
competitors in a pageant and gives them to
them with a motivational book in the pocket,"
Stephanie said.
Isabella has donated more than a thousand
books.
"Our house looks like a used book
distribution center," Stephanie laughed.
Isabella has donated books to the Sunshine
School and Dress For Success program, of which
Stephanie is on the board of directors.
READING continued from page 4
"Mainly, it's been a good thing for us to all
do together – me, my mom and her. We make
these bags and donate them," she said.
Isabella's older brother Beckett, 9, plays
baseball. He is one of the reasons she wanted to
put the little library near the ball fields.
"She said he's her hero," Stephanie said,
"because he takes care of her."
Isabella won Miss Teeny Tot in the Miss Pea
Ridge Pageant in 2019. She is currently Miss
Natural State Elementary 2023 and Miss Ozark
Ambassador for the Princess of America Pageant
2023. She will be competing for Miss Elementary
America in June.
6 • may 2023 • www.officialkidsmag.com
