Severna Park Siblings Publish Three Books

The Bellenoit siblings, Noor and Kian, became fascinated with books before they could walk. Their mother, Sara Vakhshouri, and father, Hayden Bellenoit, are both published nonfiction authors and read to their infant children in both Farsi and English. The young siblings wrote and published their own first books last year, and Kian’s second title was released earlier this fall.

“Reading different genres and learning about other people’s lives and experiences make books so interesting. Books are like magic doors to other worlds,” said Noor, a seventh-grader. “You can travel anywhere, meet new people, and live 100 different lives just by turning the pages.”

During the COVID pandemic, Noor read books to escape the monotony of sequestered school and family life. As was the case with many students, she found that the pandemic forced a different lifestyle that conjured many emotions she had not yet experienced.

Isolation was the hardest part of the pandemic for Noor, who missed classroom learning. Although her family spent a lot of time together playing sports, going on bike rides and attending neighborhood parties, the slower pace sparked her interest in writing.

“When I had nothing to do and was bored, I just started writing,” said Noor, who ended up having lots of thoughts surrounding her COVID experience.

Her book “When Everything Changed,” released in December 2024, chronicles her fears and uncertainties from the moment she learned her school was closing due to the pandemic. Noor’s story outlines how, with creativity and courage, it’s possible to stay connected with friends and have fun. Her book is appropriate for any young reader experiencing change, offering hope that a current difficult situation is only temporary.

Kian, a third-grade student, also has a passion for reading and writing books. His first book, “The Tale of the Warrior,” released in December 2024, now has a follow-up, “The Tale of the Warrior 2,” which came out earlier this fall.

“Books are fascinating because of the pictures and the ways words make you feel,” Kian said. “When you imagine the story, it almost comes alive around you, as if you’re part of it.”

Kian’s first “The Tale of the Warrior” book is about a boy who finds a dragon. On this adventure, he becomes a warrior and finds the hero inside himself, eventually becoming a dragon warrior. The second book is about a boy who leaves his town to find medicine for his sick mother. Along the way, he must face his shadow and overcome fears to fight for the truth about his father.

“I feel adventurous like the boy who becomes a warrior. I also like to help and take care of people,” said Kian, when considering how he relates to his protagonist. “People should always be curious and brave to find the hero inside.”

Kian said that his Oak Hill Elementary School classmates and teachers are supportive and are encouraging him to continue writing.

Noor and Kian used AI to illustrate their books. The use of the burgeoning technology allowed them to verbally express the exact pictures they were imagining to create a unique look.

The three self-published books are available on Amazon.