Orono teen Mallory Habstritt, a vitiligo advocate, wrote Angel’s Big Splash together with her mom. The children’s book promotes friendship and inclusion through a heartwarming story.

Orono

Mallory Hapstreet, a teenager from Orono, has released a new children's book co-written with her mother, Anna Lee. The book, titled 'Angel's Big Splash: A Prep Book About Loving the Skin That You're In,' draws from Mallory's experience living with vitiligo, a skin condition she was diagnosed with in first grade. 

The story follows a character named Angel as she navigates feelings of isolation and learns to embrace her uniqueness with the support of friends. The book aims to promote inclusion and self-acceptance for children of all ages, while also raising awareness about vitiligo. It is currently available for pre-sale on Amazon.

Orono teen debutes uplifting kids’ book on inclusion and friendship

It was really hard because I was really scared and I felt really different and alone. I didn't know that there were other people out there like me, but as I started pageants I met a lot of people that inspired me. We have been so impressed by this little lady for years now. That was a couple of years ago in 2022 when she was just 11 years old after one of her many wins in the pageant world, embracing her diagnosis of vitiligo at a very young age. Four years later, she's back with her mom after writing a new book. We are so happy to have you both, Mallory Hapstreet and your mom, Anna Lee. Congratulations on so many things since we've seen you the last couple of years. You won a national title, now you're taking a little break from the pageant world. Tell us about this new book that you have written with your mom. Yes, so this book has been many, many years in the making, but it was really inspired on my vitiligo journey. I was diagnosed in first grade and I, again, felt really alone and unsure, not very confident at all in who I was. However, when I got to go to the World Vitiligo Day Conference, I saw so many people that looked just like me and growing up in pageants, I was able to embrace my differences and kind of be a role model for so many different people. So I'm super excited that this book is finally coming. It's finally launching mid-August, but it's now available for pre-sale on Amazon. So I'm super excited that I get to share my journey about how I'm embracing my differences in order to inspire people all across the country. Oh, that is fantastic. Yeah, we showed the book cover there. It's Angels Big Splash, a prep book about loving the skin that you're in, which is, of course, probably defined in many ways who you are and, you know, your outlook on life and things like that. What do you hope is the big takeaway for the young readers? And is this for, you know, what age readers is kind of the target audience? Is it itty-bitties, like, you know, kindergarten, preschool, third grade? It's kind of a book for all ages. We want to make it very inclusive for everybody to read, and I think it's such an important message that it's not really defined to any age group. But our main takeaway is obviously it is about vitiligo, and it is based off my journey as Angel, the main character, goes through her back-to-school season, and she feels really not very confident in who she is, and she feels very alone in her differences and how she kind of learns to embrace those as time goes on with her new friends. And so the main takeaway is about vitiligo, and it's about embracing your differences. It's about spreading awareness about vitiligo. What is it in order to teach young kids what that really means? But overall, it's much, much bigger than that. It's showing that all differences, everyone has differences. Maybe they be seen or unseen. For me, it's vitiligo. But those differences are what make us unique, and they make us special, and they make us beautiful. So it's really about making sure that everybody can embrace their differences, whatever they may be. Oh, Annalie, you must be so proud of your daughter. Obviously, you guys are so close and, you know, all these life experiences, but then to go through the process of writing a book and something tangible that the two of you have done together. Tell me what that was like. Well, it was a really special opportunity. It created a fun way for us to have a dialogue. So she had gone through the journey and came to embrace her angel kisses, as she called them, and then we thought that it would be a really good idea to tell her story in a way that is fun for kids to read alongside their caregivers. So it's a book for children, but it's also a book for the people that are reading it to them so that they can support their children and being brave in their differences, too. So I'm so proud of her, obviously. It's been a lot of fun. You should be. That's so wonderful. Congratulations to you both, again, available for pre-sale on Amazon. So good luck with everything. We'll have to check back with you in a couple years and see what chapter you're on in life next and what you're doing. So thanks, Mallory and Annalie. Thank you. Appreciate having us.

The jet crashed onto the campus of Milestone School and College in Dhaka's Uttara neighbourhood, where students were taking tests and attending regular classes.

Dhaka

Dozens killed after Bangladesh Air Force jet crashes into school

Protesters gathered in front of the U.S. consulate in Edinburgh to oppose President Trump's visit to Scotland. Mr. Trump plans to host the U.K.'s Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the President of the European Union, Ursula von der Leyen, for trade talks at his personal properties.

Edinburgh

Demonstrators protest Trump's visit to Scotland

The Israeli military said Saturday that it will resume aid airdrops into Gaza and open humanitarian corridors for United Nations convoys amid increased international pressure and accounts of starvation-related deaths in the territory.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

Middle East Conflict

Israel says airdrops of aid into Gaza will begin

Tens of thousands flee as border fighting between Cambodia and Thailand intensifies — with no ceasefire in sight.

Preah Vihear Province

Cambodia calls for ceasefire with Thailand

Typhoon Co-May has moved away from the Philippines but many low-lying areas are still severely flooded. Three storms dumped a months’ worth of rain in a span of a week on nearly the entire country.

Manila

At least 30 killed in Philippines typhoon

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said she will meet US President Donald Trump on Sunday in Scotland to "discuss transatlantic trade relations."

Glasgow

Global Tariffs

Ursula von der Leyen to meet Donald Trump to discuss trade

President Trump signed an executive order Thursday aimed at dramatically changing how the U.S. approaches homelessness.

Washington

Trump signs executive order changing U.S. approach to homelessness

Typhoon Co-May has left a trail of destruction across the Philippines, making landfall in the country's northwestern region. Torrential rains and strong winds have battered towns and cities, damaging homes, roads, and farmland. At least 25 people have been reported dead.

Pangasinan

Philippines hit hard by Typhoon Co-May, dozens killed

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump appeared on Friday to abandon Gaza ceasefire negotiations with Palestinian militant group Hamas, a day after withdrawing their delegations from talks.

Jerusalem

Netanyahu, Trump appear to abandon Gaza ceasefire negotiations

U.S. President Donald Trump is spending five days in Scotland visiting his luxury golf resorts. While the White House touts the economic impact, some locals say the developments have scarred the land and stirred controversy.

Trump visits Scotland to tour golf courses amid protests

The U.S. Department of Justice is set to meet with Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein's convicted accomplice, amid mounting political pressure on President Donald Trump over his administration's handling of the Epstein case.

Ghislaine Maxwell to meet with U.S. Justice Dept. amid Epstein probe

Thailand and Cambodia exchanged heavy artillery fire for a second day on Friday (July 25) as their worst fighting in over a decade intensified and spread to new areas, despite international calls for a ceasefire.

Bangkok

Thailand, Cambodia exchange heavy artillery

France intends to recognise a Palestinian state in September at the UN General Assembly, President Emmanuel Macron said in hopes of bringing peace to the region, but the plan drew angry rebukes from Israel and the United States.

Macron says France will recognize Palestine as a state

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has approved a draft bill to restore the independence of anti-corruption agencies, following nationwide protests and EU concerns over recent reforms that threatened their autonomy.

Ukraine Invasion

Zelensky approves anti-corruption bill after protests

Chinese and European Union leaders have met in Beijing for their first in-person summit since 2023, addressing a range of contentious issues amidst growing trade tensions. The talks, led by Chinese President Xi Jinping and EU officials Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa, highlighted the complex nature of China-EU relations.

Beijing

China-EU summit ends in climate deal, talks strain over Ukraine

The United Kingdom and India have signed a trade agreement that will reduce tariffs on goods from textiles to whisky, cars and spices and allow more market access for businesses. British PM Keir Starmer hailed the agreement as a “landmark moment” for both countries.

London

UK, India sign free trade agreement during Modi visit

President Trump and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell had a disagreement almost immediately as the two men set foot in the Fed's headquarters in Washington to survey an extensive renovation project on two of the reserve's buildings. Nancy Cordes has more.

Trump, Powell clash during tour of Federal Reserve renovations

Hulk Hogan, the legendary professional wrestler whose real name was Terry Bollea, died on Thursday at the age of 71, according to World Wrestling Entertainment.

Clearwater

Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan dead at the age of 71, WWE says

At least 12 were killed as a Thai-Cambodian border dispute escalated into deadly clashes on Thursday (July 24).

Surin

Thailand bombs Cambodian targets as border clash escalates

According to preliminary data, 43 passengers, including five children, and six crew members were on board.

Tynda

Passenger plane crashes in Russia, killing all 49 people on board

Pro wrestling legend Hulk Hogan has died, World Wrestling Entertainment said in a statement on social media. He was 71. CBS News' Shanelle Kaul has more.

Hulk Hogan dies at 71, WWE says

The Wall Street Journal reports that former Attorney General Pam Bondi told President Trump his name appeared in the Epstein files. The White House denies wrongdoing.

Report: Trump was briefed on mentions in Epstein files

Columbia University will pay $200 million to resolve federal claims it failed to stop harassment of Jewish students during campus protests. The Trump administration had suspended the school's access to $400 million in funding.

New York

Columbia settles for $200 million over antisemitism claims

Israel issued a statement indicating that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asked the Gaza negotiating team to return to Israel for ceasefire talks. CBS News' Ramy Inocencio reports.

Israel brings back Gaza negotiating team for ceasefire 'consultations'

Also in the settlement is an agreement to ask prospective international students “questions designed to elicit their reasons for wishing to study in the United States,” and establishes processes to make sure all students are committed to “civil discourse.”

Columbia University to pay more than $220M in deal with Trump

There are several developments in the cases involving Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the migrant in ICE custody whom the Trump administration wrongly deported. CBS News' Katrina Kaufman reports.

Nashville

Kilmar Abrego Garcia to remain detained following new court orders

Dr. Salvador Plasencia admitted to distributing ketamine to actor Matthew Perry before his 2023 overdose. He is the fourth person to plead guilty in the case and faces up to 40 years in prison.

Los Angeles

Doctor pleads guilty in Matthew Perry death case

While both sides acknowledged progress on humanitarian issues, talks on a full ceasefire remain stalled. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan called for "result-oriented negotiations" to end the devastating war.

Istanbul

Russia and Ukraine conclude third round of peace talks in Istanbul

A passenger plane has crashed in southeastern Russia with up to 49 people onboard. Emergency services say the An-24 aircraft took off from the city of Khabarovsk and was heading to the town of Tynda. Wreckage was found on a mountainside around 15 kilometres from the flight's intended destination.

Russian passenger plane with 49 on board crashes

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy vowed to retain the independence of anti-corruption agencies, bowing to pressure from the first wartime street protests and rare rebukes from European allies.

Breakdown