Charlie Morris’s Speedy Goes to School Heads to the 2026 Beijing International Book Fair
Summary: Explora Books will showcase Charlie Morris’s children’s picture book Speedy Goes to School, the second installment in the Speedy series, at the 2026 Beijing International Book Fair (June 17–21) at the China National Convention Center (CNCC). The story follows Speedy the chicken on a school-day adventure sparked by a mysterious note covered in “squiggle marks” that no one in the barnyard can read.
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, 21st May 2026 - The mystery begins before dawn, when a giant soft pillow lands outside the chicken coop with a note attached. Curious but unable to decipher the message, the animals of Corn Crib Manor gather to solve the puzzle. The mayor forms a committee, Swayback the horse attempts to draw letters in the dirt, and Speedy decides to venture beyond the barnyard in search of answers. Her journey eventually leads deep into the forest, where she encounters the wise old owl Solomon and discovers the value of learning to read and write.

Blending humor, adventure, and gentle educational themes, Speedy Goes to School introduces a lively cast of memorable animal characters, including Kernel Korn the rooster-mayor, Taxi the Billy Goat, and Solomon the owl, whose repeated “Who? Who?” becomes a playful refrain throughout the story. Morris combines read-aloud storytelling with lighthearted whimsy that encourages young readers to remain curious and engaged.
At the heart of the story is a simple but meaningful message about literacy education: learning takes effort, but the rewards are worth it. Through Speedy’s adventure, children are introduced to the excitement of discovery, friendship, and education without the story becoming overly instructional. Solomon’s introduction of the “four R’s”—readin’, ’ritin’, ’rithmetic, and recess—captures both the fun and uncertainty children often associate with school for the very first time.
The book also reflects Morris’s personal inspiration for the series. He began writing the Speedy stories for his grandson, Jaxon, to capture the imagination of young listeners with mystery, comedy, and memorable animal characters. Illustrated by Julie Tomlin, with cover design by Mimi Snyder, Speedy Goes to School continues the barnyard adventures introduced in Speedy’s Giant Egg.
As one of the world’s largest international publishing events, the 2026 Beijing International Book Fair provides an important platform for introducing children’s stories that celebrate literacy, imagination, and learning to global audiences. Visitors to the Explora Books exhibit will have the opportunity to discover the book along with other featured titles at the fair.
Speedy Goes to School is available through Amazon and other major book retailers.
About Explora Books
Explora Books is a book marketing firm located in the heart of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The company specializes in self-publishing and marketing, taking pride in its exhaustive research and creative strategies that provide wider avenues for aspiring authors to gain recognition for their works. Explora Books aims to guide authors through the complexities of self-publishing, offering convenient solutions to navigate this process. The firm fosters and redefines creativity and innovation, setting new industry standards. Explora Books is dedicated to empowering authors globally.
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Company Details
| Organization: Explora Books Ltd |
| Contact Person Name: Simon Pratt |
| Website: https://explorabooks.com/home |
| Email: spratt@explorabooks.com |
| Contact Number: +16043306795 |
| Address: Jameson Offices, 838 W Hastings St w, Vancouver, BC V6C 0A6, Canada |
| City: Vancouver |
| State: British Columbia |
| Country: Canada |