Bahamian-American ‘Iolani Lightbourne Bullock publishes children’s book about travel and celebrating differences
When Bahamian-American ‘Iolani Lightbourne Bullock prepared to travel to Thailand with her son Lenox, she couldn’t find many books about travel for children and certainly none with characters of color. Since she couldn’t find the perfect book to read with her son, she decided to create it herself.
“Lenox Takes Flight” centers around Lenox, an imaginative kid who loves airplanes and who dreams of the day he will get to board one. In preparing for the family trip overseas, he learns that his great grandfather was a Tuskegee Airman who earned pilot wings. He cannot wait to board his first flight and get a pair of his own, until his excitement causes him to lose his passport in the airport. He and his little sister Teagan set out on an adventure to find it before their flight takes off.
The chapter book is geared toward children age nine-to-11-years-old and was recently published by New Degree Press.
It inspires young readers to expand their perspective. Some of the topics they will learn about include the legendary Tuskegee Airmen, learning about difference through the visually impaired, and learning about travel and other cultures.
“Lenox Takes Flight” has enjoyed positive reviews from parents, educators and children alike. Family travel blogger Tykesha S. Burton of MommaWanderlust.com wrote, “Lenox’s excitement and wonder leaps off the page … ‘Iolani L. Bullock shares the world of travel through the eyes of a curious, intelligent young man who is on the cusp of a grand life-altering journey.”
Bullock hopes that Black and brown children will be inspired by seeing themselves in Lenox and that all children understand that their differences are what make them special. Ultimately, she wants to get “Lenox Takes Flight” into classrooms and has created an educator guide to facilitate the discussion of themes that arise from the book, such as exploring other cultures through travel, the history of the legendary Tuskegee Airmen and overcoming fears to achieve goals.
Bullock is a diversity, equity and inclusion professional by day, and novelist by night.
“Lenox Takes Flight” is available on Amazon and where books are sold online. You can view the book trailer and learn more at www.lenoxtakesflight.com.
