Mission Statement
Children’s Book Square is a welcoming place where stories are 
shared, characters become friends, and young readers discover the world around them.
The word square represents a community gathering place, like a town square where people meet, exchange stories, and learn from one another. It also represents the four essential pillars of storytelling: Theme, Setting, Plot, Characters
Together, these four elements create stories that help children explore real places, meet people from different backgrounds, and connect learning to everyday life.
Chepe
Teacher • Learner • Future Coach
Chepe loves learning and sharing what he discovers with others. During the summer, he trains alongside Rodeo, his young hawk, and meets the many people who help keep the stadium running every day. Whether he’s talking with students on a field trip or visitors enjoying the beautiful grounds, Chepe is always eager to hear their stories. A soccer player and lifelong sports fan, he dreams of becoming a history teacher and coach who inspires others to keep learning.
Suzie
Artist • Story Collector • Creative Dreamer
Suzie sees the stadium through the eyes of an artist. Armed with her pink instant camera and sketchbook, she collects memories instead of souvenirs—ticket stubs, wristbands, programs, sketches, and photographs all find a place in her scrapbook. She loves murals, architecture, music, and animals, and while walking with Rowdy, the stadium’s friendly K-9, she discovers the hidden beauty behind every event. Quiet and thoughtful, Suzie reminds us that every picture tells a story.
Michelle
Scientist • Explorer • Future Engineer
Michelle is always asking questions. While spending the summer walking the lake with her grandmother and the Ladies of the Lake Walking Society, she becomes fascinated by Pelican Pete, a California Gray Pelican living not so far from the ocean. Determined to solve the mystery, she records every observation in her Scientific Journal of Discovery. Armed with binoculars, a magnifying glass, and endless curiosity, Michelle uncovers how the lake protects the environment through water conservation—and learns that every great discovery begins with a simple question.
Connor
Storyteller • Explorer • Problem Solver
Connor has a story to tell. For a school volcano project, he spends a Saturday at his family’s hardware store gathering materials, asking questions, and building his model. With a camera in hand, Connor records what he discovers and creates a video to share what he learned.
Once Upon a Time brings Children Book Square characters to life as storytellers in short, engaging stories designed to be read aloud to children in just a few minutes. Each story uses a familiar character to open the door to something interesting from history, science, nature, people, or the world around us.
Chepe & Rodeo — The Birds of Moctezuma
Chepe takes us back to the great city of Tenochtitlan and Moctezuma II’s remarkable collection of animals, especially its birds of prey. The story connects this history to Rodeo and to Chepe’s grandfather learning falconry in Mexico.
Suzie & Rowdy — The Dogs Who Carried the Medicine
Suzie discovers the true story of the sled dogs and people who carried lifesaving medicine across frozen Alaska during the 1925 serum run to Nome. Through Togo and Balto, she discovers how working dogs—like Rowdy—have helped people in extraordinary ways.
Michelle & Pelican Pete — The Scientist and the Peanut
A simple question about peanut butter leads Michelle to George Washington Carver. She discovers that he didn’t invent peanut butter, but that his curiosity about plants, soil, and new uses for crops helped farmers—and shows how one small question can lead to a much bigger discovery.
