Flamboyantly launched new book…

February 2024 sees the launch of a brand-new book; “The Most Flamboyant Flamingo in the Whole Wide World.” This exciting picture book, aimed at promoting inclusion, is the third in a series produced by former Head Teacher, Troy Jenkinson.

After witnessing homophobic bullying first-hand in a school, Troy wrote his first story, “The Best Mummy Snails in the Whole Wide World” to provide a voice for families with same-sex parents. After sharing it in an assembly, he was encouraged to get it published. His second book “The Most Contented Snail in the Whole Wide World” was written to promote visibility for gender questioning children as a minority group. Working along the same lines, this third offering delivers bisexual visibility in a child friendly manner.

Teaming up with the same illustrator, Benjamin Figliolini to maintain the aesthetics of the series, what’s new this time is that Troy and Ben have teamed up with John Yates-Harold from Derby LGBT. John has provided a set of activities that could be used by parents or school staff alongside the book. The idea, borne out of the fact there are few, if any, publications on the topic for young children garnered traction after an initial discussion around a potential book settled on flamingos as the central characters. The realisation that a collective noun for flamingos is a flamboyance was a bonus!

Plans are afoot with a number of mini-launch events that includes a coffee-shop event in Costa, Radcliffe on Trent (Saturday 24^th February) and a bookstore workshop at The Bookcase, Lowdham (Friday 26^th April) that coincides coincidentally with International Flamingo Day! Both will include storytelling and a range of craft activities alike. Adults and children of all ages are welcome.

Since leaving school leadership, Troy has focused his efforts in promoting diversity, equality, inclusion and belonging. Not only has he produced his new book, he has also launched two free LGBT+ History walks (for Leicester and Nottingham) and often delivers workshops and training events both for schools and colleges, as well as for corporate businesses wishing to develop their inclusive offer. If you are interested in discussing with Troy how he might be able to help your local school or business, drop him a message in the contact us page…