Secrets of TechniBus - Did you know..?

Hello, future leaders and fellow young readers! It's Kadii Hamilton here, and I am excited to share some hidden secrets within the inclusive journey of one of our beloved characters in "Kadii and the Techni-Bus." Inclusion and diversity are at the heart of our storytelling, and we're proud to have created a very special character who represents these values.

From the very beginning, we wanted to ensure that our books are fully inclusive, including wheelchair users, elderly, mixed ethnicity characters and even characters with bionic arms and legs! These are very intentional parts of our story as we value every member of our community and believe everybody should be included on our journey! Throughout our illustration notes, we made sure to depict them being actively involved and welcomed in all activities. Whether it's joining in on adventures or participating in group events, our character is right there, experiencing everything alongside their friends equally.

We also made sure the Techni-Bus, the magical STEM bus in our story, was equipped with a wheelchair-access ramp. This detail was important to us because it symbolises the importance of accessibility and inclusivity in all aspects of life. We wanted to show that everyone should have the opportunity to join in the fun, no matter their abilities.

One of the highlights of our story is the graduation scene, where our wheelchair character graduates alongside everyone else. This moment is a celebration of achievements, friendship, and the power of perseverance. It reinforces the message that everyone deserves to be celebrated for their accomplishments.

Through this character, we aim to inspire empathy and understanding among our readers. We hope that by using our voice through the team work with our amazing illustrator, Kayla Sayers, we can showcase diverse experiences, and hope other authors, illustrators and creators will be mindful of these inclusions! We will continue to promote a more inclusive world where everyone feels valued and accepted through our upcoming books.

Whatever you find yourself up to, look out for those who are not feeling included and ask them to get involved. You never know how small of an act could grow into a lifetime of friendship like you've never known before!

Look out for our character-naming competition on our instagram page soon - @futureleaders.blog and do tag us on other stories you find inclusive characters too, so we can celebrate the diversity and inclusion with other authors and illustrators making changes!