John Leguizamo's Debut Kids Book Showcases the Power of Creativity — See the Cover! (Exclusive)

John Leguizamo is adding children's book writer to his resume!

The Colombia-born Golden Globe nominee and Tony Award-winning actor, 65, is fresh to stock Kiki and nan Can pinch children and families everyplace to showcase nan powerfulness of productivity successful young kids.

Kiki and nan Can tells nan communicative of a citywide mural task that comes to Kiki’s town.

After uncovering a spray tin of paint, he turns nan blank walls of his vicinity into a colorful canvas that lets him definitive himself done his vibrant artistry.

Leguizamo, who was raised successful New York City and celebrates Latine life connected shape and successful film, collaborated pinch renowned graffiti creator John "Crash" Matos for Kiki and nan Can. 

The Ice Age character tells PEOPLE coming up pinch nan conception was a no-brainer.

“I grew up successful a family wherever my taste pridefulness was celebrated. But erstwhile I dove into nan pages of truthful galore children’s books praising heroes for their greatness, conjecture who was missing? Us!” Leguizamo tells PEOPLE successful an exclusive statement. 

“Kiki’s communicative is astir nan pridefulness everyone tin person for their taste roots, and how, erstwhile you don’t spot yourself connected nan pages of books, your very ain productivity tin radiance a colorful spotlight connected what’s been near out,” he adds.  

Matos was calved and raised successful nan Bronx, and is nan co-owner of nan modern creation assemblage Wallworks New York. 

He curated nan groundbreaking "Graffiti Art Success for America" astatine Fashion MODA, and aft being portion of galore depository and assemblage shows astir nan world focusing connected graffiti and thoroughfare art, Matos besides has useful successful galore imperishable depository collections.

“As a metropolis kid, I discovered that my vicinity could beryllium nan canvas that fto maine spot myself," Matos tells PEOPLE. "Through graffiti, I celebrated our organization and nan powerfulness of what creation tin do. When nan chance came to collaborate pinch John Leguizamo — my ace buddy since puerility — connected a book that would spotlight my taste story, I was each in.”

In nan book, Kiki shows nan world nan ace powerfulness of his taste organization and celebrates what it genuinely intends to beryllium a hero. Kiki uses his creation to animate productivity successful others while expressing his unsocial style and flair pinch his neighborhood, while besides bringing much affirmative Latine practice to nan world.

Andrea Davis Pinkney, who is simply a Coretta Scott King award-winning writer and NAACP Image nominee, edited Kiki and nan Can.

Never miss a communicative — motion up for PEOPLE's free regular newsletter to enactment up-to-date connected nan champion of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from personage news to compelling quality liking stories.

“John Leguizamo and John ‘Crash’ Matos person brought a move offering to children’s books,” Pinkney tells PEOPLE. “Kiki and nan Can is for each kid who finds joyousness successful their ain unstoppable creativity. Through their storytelling, this powerhouse squad welcomes america each to nan bold excitement of making creation that sparks a kid’s imagination,” she adds.

KIki and nan Can hits shelves connected Aug. 4, 2026 and is disposable for preorder now, wherever books are sold.