Inclusive educator Leanna Alexander celebrated the launch of her debut children’s book, A Trip to the Buccoo Reef, on March 31. The vibrant tale marks the inaugural instalment in the Tobago Treasure Trips series, inviting young readers to explore the island’s most enchanting adventure spots.
In the book, young protagonist Liam embarks on an exhilarating glass-bottom boat journey across Tobago’s famed Buccoo Reef alongside his friends. Along the way, they uncover a treasure trove of marine wonders: colourful sea creatures, stunning corals, the idyllic Sand Bank, and the intriguing No Man’s Land. Through vivid storytelling and experiential learning, Alexander transports children into an underwater world brimming with discovery and fun.
Leanna Alexander, a dedicated special educator, has spent years fostering active, hands-on learning for children with diverse abilities, from early childhood through elementary levels. A devoted mother of four and wife to Lincoln Alexander, she has poured her heart into lighting up young minds and now dives headfirst into the literary world with this magical book. After years of passion, perseverance, and late nights editing, seeing it come to fruition is a triumphant gateway to self-discovery for readers and author alike.
“Books are mirrors: You only see in them what you already have inside you,” Alexander shared at the launch. “A shy child might see their hidden bravery in a hero’s journey; a dreamer discovers their own underwater world in vibrant corals. A Trip to the Buccoo Reef is exactly that mirror, inviting every child to recognise and unleash the adventurer within.”
The enduring power of print books
In our digital age of flickering screens and fleeting stories, Alexander champions the transformative power of physical books, especially for children. “They don’t just tell stories, they change lives, especially for children who see themselves in the pages,” she emphasised.
In special education classrooms like Alexander’s, a child struggling with focus on screens lights up with a real book. No distractions, no notifications, just story and possibility. Physical books level the playing field: accessible without batteries or Wi-Fi, ideal for homes, schools, or beach umbrellas. They turn “I can’t” into “Watch me explore!” for children of all backgrounds.
And their legacy endures: unlike digital files that vanish, print books become family heirlooms, passed generation to generation, gathering fingerprints of joy, lessons, and ignited imaginations.
“This book isn’t just pages; it’s a bridge for those who need it most,” Alexander said. “Writing it took grit, but the reward is holding something real, enduring, and powerful, a reminder of our ability to inspire and connect, one page at a time.”
May A Trip to the Buccoo Reef swim into hearts everywhere, proving that in the hands of a great educator-turned-author, print is a mirror to magic.
Mary Cuffy is an educator and local children's author. Cuffy is the author of the Ladybug series. Cuffy believes the best invesment we can make in children is in the early years. Email: mary.cuffy@yahoo.com- IG: marycuffy . FB: mary cuffy/Lola and the Dancing Ladybug.
