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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
American Author and Civil Engineer to Share Inspirational
Children’s Book in Singapore Through Upcoming Events
SINGAPORE, June 3, 2025 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Courtney Kelly, the self-published author of Celeste Saves the City and Celeste Tunnels Underground, will partner with Singapore’s National Library Board and Alliance Française de Singapour for two special events on 14 June 2025.
The first event will be a STEM Story Time and Activity Session held at the Bishan Public Library’ s Activity Room from 2:00-2:30 PM. During the session, Courtney will lead a reading from her first book, Celeste Saves the City. Based on her life, the story follows a young girl growing up in New Orleans, Louisiana, who is forced to evacuate from Hurricane Katrina. Determined to make a difference, Celeste decides to become a civil engineer and saves the city from flooding by protecting coastal wetlands using barrier islands. After the reading, attendees will be able to ask Courtney questions about the book and her career as a civil engineer. The session will end with a hands-on STEM activity as kids create their own barrier islands using building blocks. Registration is not required for this event. For more information, visit the event page at www.nlb.gov.sg
The second event will consist of an English-French bilingual story time reading of Celeste Saves the City followed by a presentation by Courtney Kelly where she will share her personal story and insights into the world of civil engineering. This event will take place at the Alliance Française de Singapour starting at 4:00 PM and coincides with the OCEAN exhibition currently on display. This exhibit is a new French Excellence Programme running through 30 August and encourages visitors to explore the mysteries and wonders of the ocean. Registration is requested but not required for this event. For more information, visit the event website at www.alliancefrancaise.org.sg
Autographed copies of Celeste Saves the City will be available for sale at both events. Copies can also be purchased online at www.courtneykellybooks.com.
About Courtney Kelly Books
Courtney Kelly Books is a children’s book publisher offering diverse characters and educational content for kids ages 5-12. The Celeste Collection featuring a civil engineer consists of two titles, Celeste Saves the City and Celeste Tunnels Underground. Over 5,000 copies of the books have been sold in more than 12 countries. They are available in audiobook, eBook, hardback, or paperback and have also been translated into French, German, and Spanish.
To find out more
Follow us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/courtneykellybooks
Visit our website at www.courtneykellybooks.com
About Courtney Kelly, MBA, PE
Award-winning civil engineer, Courtney Kelly, has made a name for herself both as a well-respected construction management professional and self-published children's book author. She earned bachelor's degrees in civil engineering and math as well as a master's degree in civil engineering from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. Courtney also holds an MBA from Lamar University and is a licensed professional engineer. In 2023, she was selected as an Engineering News-Record Texas and Louisiana Top Young Professional.
Born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, the experience of evacuating from Hurricane Katrina during her sophomore year of high school sparked her curiosity in civil engineering. Courtney currently resides in Dallas, Texas where she serves as Project Director for H.J. Russell & Company, a commercial construction firm. Most recently, she has become an adjunct professor at Southern Methodist University teaching Quality Management in Construction. Additionally, she sits on the advisory board for KRANE, an AI-powered logistics and supply chain management platform built to enhance efficiency on construction projects. In her spare time, she enjoys attending performing arts events, traveling, and spending time with her fluffy bunny, Albus.
Follow Courtney on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/courtneylynnkelly
About Singapore’s National Library Board
Established in 1995, Singapore’s National Library Board (NLB) nurtures Readers for Life, Learning Communities and a Knowledgeable Nation by promoting reading, learning and history through its network of 28 libraries across Singapore, the National Library and the National Archives of Singapore.
About Alliance Française de Singapour
Alliance Française de Singapour is a local non-profit educational and cultural organization, affiliated to the international network of Alliance Française. With a strong Board and a mixed team of Singaporeans and French, and more than 4,000 members of all ages, Alliance Française de Singapour fulfills its mission of teaching the French language and promoting French and Francophone cultures by offering various actions in its language centre, its gallery (la galerie), its theatre (le théâtre) and its library (la médiathèque).
Courtney Kelly
Courtney Kelly Books
info@courtneykellybooks.com
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Self-Published Children’s Author Sells Over 5,000 Copies in Less Than 3 Years
Courtney Kelly, author of Celeste Saves the City and Celeste Tunnels Underground, Defies the Odds by Surpassing Major Milestone
DALLAS, TX, UNITED STATES, April 22, 2025 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Courtney Kelly, founder of Courtney Kelly Books, a self-publishing company featuring STEM-based content for kids, recently crossed the threshold of selling her 5,000th book less than three years after her first release.
The road to 5,000 began in May of 2022 with the debut of her children’s book, Celeste Saves the City. Based on Courtney’s life, the story brings readers on the journey of a little girl growing up in New Orleans who decides to become a civil engineer after being forced to evacuate from Hurricane Katrina and saves the city from flooding. Fast forward to 2024 and the release of the second book in the collection, Celeste Tunnels Underground, continued the momentum. In this book, Celeste is now in Dallas on a mission to solve the issue of traffic congestion and building a tunnel is determined to be the right solution for such a daunting task.
“Reaching this achievement is a huge honor and testament to
the people who have carried Celeste across the world,” says
author Courtney Kelly. “It’s amazing to know that over 5,000 kids
can read about my life and career while being introduced to civil
engineering and construction management. The best part is when
I get to meet with kids and see their faces inquisitively light up when
they realize that they are looking at a real live author whose book is
in their hands.”
Through an active presence at book festivals, an intentional social media presence, and strategic partnerships with schools and organizations, Courtney has found a way to beat the odds. The story of Courtney's path from "Katrina kid" to civil engineer to self-published author was highlighted earlier this year in segments on NBC DFW's Texas Today and WFAA's Good Morning Texas. Translations of the books into the languages of French, German, and Spanish along with an availability in a variety of formats and geographies has contributed to her success.
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Additionally, of significant importance is the artistry of the illustrations drawn by Erin Nielson. For Erin, “illustrating Celeste Saves the City and Celeste Tunnels Underground has been an enjoyable and enriching experience. It has pushed me to learn about new concepts and see the world through a different lens—blending artistry with problem-solving and discovery in ways I hadn’t before. I’m especially inspired by Celeste’s determination to solve problems and help others, even when the journey to fix them is long and challenging. Her persistence reminds me that creativity and curiosity go hand in hand.”
To discover more about Courtney Kelly Books, visit the website, www.courtneykellybooks.com.
About the Author: Courtney Kelly, P.E.
A native of New Orleans, Louisiana, Courtney is a Dallas-based commercial and heavy civil construction project director and licensed professional engineer with over 13 years of experience. Courtney holds bachelor’s degrees in civil engineering and math and a master’s degree in civil engineering from Southern Methodist University (SMU). She also holds an MBA from Lamar University. Courtney was named an Engineering-News Record Texas and Louisiana 2023 Top Young Professional and recently became an adjunct professor at SMU.
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Courtney Kelly
Courtney Kelly Books
info@courtneykellybooks.com
Visit us on social media:
Facebook
LinkedIn
Instagram
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Other
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kids Book Release - Civil Engineer Solves Dallas Traffic Congestion with Tunnel Project
Celeste Tunnels Underground by self-published author Courtney Kelly, P.E., is now available around the globe anywhere books are sold.
DALLAS, TEXAS, July 2, 2024 – Courtney Kelly Books, a self-publishing book company, has officially released Celeste Tunnels Underground, the second book of the Celeste Saves the City collection. The new release takes readers into the world of tunnels and tunneling through the experiences of Celeste, a young civil engineer. This time, Celeste is based in Dallas, Texas and tasked with relieving traffic congestion in the bustling city.
Through the pages of the story, Celeste Tunnels Underground broadens horizons of the possibilities for careers in underrepresented fields. Her efforts take her on a journey to gain inspiration from old and new tunneling projects like the English Channel tunnel and the Fehmarnbelt tunnel between Denmark and Germany. Using this knowledge, she gives readers a glimpse into tunnel construction and showcases an appreciation for the men and women who design and build them.
Celeste Tunnels Underground promotes an early interest in architecture, engineering, and construction by encouraging children to find ways to help their community using STEM. The importance of reading is promoted through images of Celeste researching a solution to the issue of traffic congestion in a library. Both national and international travels are highlighted as ways to discover the world. Additionally, the book pays homage to the city of Dallas and other important aspects of the author’s life.
With nearly 4,000 copies of the first installment, Celeste Saves the City, sold across 10 countries in the languages of English, German, French, and Spanish, the character of Celeste is already impacting kids worldwide. The expansion of the collection with Celeste Tunnels Underground is poised to offer even more for young readers to think about as they delve into the pages of this new book. Hardcover, paperback, and eBook options are available for purchase around the globe anywhere books are sold.
Imprint: Courtney Kelly Books
On sale: July 2, 2024
Price: $19.99
Pages: 32
ISBN: 979-8-9903082-1-3 (Hardcover)
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About the Author: Courtney Kelly, P.E.
Courtney Kelly, P.E. is a commercial and heavy civil construction project management professional in Dallas, Texas. She holds B.S. degrees in Civil Engineering and Math and a M.S. degree in Civil Engineering from Southern Methodist University. She received an MBA from Lamar University and is a licensed professional engineer in the state of Texas. In 2023 she was recognized as an Engineering News-Record Texas & Louisiana Top Young Professional.
To learn more about Celeste Tunnels Underground, visit www.courtneykellybooks.com.
Media Contact:
Courtney Kelly
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Texas-Based Children’s Book Author and Engineer Inspires Over 1,250 American Military-Connected Students in Germany
Students in Stuttgart learn about New Orleans, Hurricane Katrina, coastal erosion, and careers in civil engineering during visit from author Courtney Kelly.
DALLAS, TEXAS, April 25, 2023 (PRNewswire) – The journey of a Hurricane Katrina survivor’s ambitious dream to save New Orleans from flooding created an educational and fun experience for over 1,250 students during a March 2023 visit by author Courtney Kelly to three American military-connected elementary schools in Stuttgart, Germany. Through story time readings, a STEM-themed hands-on activity, and a writing workshop, kids in grades K-5 were able to interact with the author of Celeste Saves the City in a meaningful way.
The three-day tour began at Stuttgart Elementary School (SES) as students learned about Courtney Kelly’s life and experiences. Then came time for the reading of Celeste Saves the City. In the self-published book, Celeste is forced to evacuate from New Orleans because of Hurricane Katrina. She grows up to become a civil engineer who saves the city from flooding by building barrier islands that protect the coast and help preserve existing wetlands. Students were then given LEGOs and tasked with building their own barrier islands. This engaging activity connected the dots between the book and how they could become a civil engineer like Celeste. Once their masterpieces were completed, students showcased their creations. Thanks to the generosity of the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and the Harriet R. Tubman Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star, each of the 550 students at SES received an autographed copy of the book.
"Courtney Kelly’s visit to Stuttgart Elementary School was everything we hoped it would be. As a military affiliated school overseas, we don’t have many opportunities for special guest speakers. The teachers and students alike praised her engagement with the students, and they loved the hands-on activity that correlated to the book. Her work is such an inspiration to the students at Stuttgart Elementary,” says Chanel Beebe, SES PTA’s Read Across America Chair.
At Robinson Barracks Elementary, 250 students participated in the story time reading and barrier island activity. The bright and talented children took on the challenge with curiosity and thoughtfulness. This was followed by a trip to Patch Elementary where 4th and 5th graders were led by Courtney in a writing workshop. The focus was “write your own story” and students started from scratch with a topic of their choosing and by the end, there was enough content to write the first few sentences of their stories. The tour culminated with the final event - an all-school assembly where more than 450 students filled the auditorium for a story time reading followed by a lively Q&A session.
The success of this event could not have been possible without the dedication of the administration, teachers, staff, parent teacher associations, and volunteers of these schools under the care of the Department of Defense Education Activity’s Stuttgart Community Schools District.
About the Author: Courtney Kelly
A native of New Orleans, Louisiana, Courtney is a commercial and heavy civil construction project manager and licensed professional engineer with over 10 years of experience. Courtney holds two B.S. degrees, Civil Engineering and Math, and one M.S. degree in Civil Engineering from Southern Methodist University. She also holds an MBA from Lamar University. Courtney was recently named an Engineering-News Record Texas and Louisiana 2023 Top Young Professional.
Imprint: Courtney Kelly Books
On sale: May 17, 2022
Price: $19.99
Pages: 32
ISBN: 978-0-578-31519-5
Media Contact:
Courtney Kelly
info@courtneykellybooks.com
www.courtneykellybooks.com
www.instagram.com/courtneykellybooks/
www.linkedin.com/company/courtneykellybooks
SOURCE: Courtney Kelly Books
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
17 Years Post-Hurricane Katrina, Civil Engineer Promotes Diversity in STEM Through Children’s Book
Celeste Saves the City by Courtney Kelly, P.E. is now available.
