Lakenheath Elementary students meet beloved author

On Sept. 3, kindergarten students at Lakenheath Elementary School in the United Kingdom had the exciting opportunity to meet Carrie Knight, the author of “Never Alone.” The book, which follows the adventures of Geoffrey the Giraffe, resonated deeply with the young audience, especially since many of the children come from military-connected families and move frequently. Knight’s reading captivated the students, and the event was organized through a collaboration between Amy Richards, the Lakenheath Elementary School information specialist, and Ryan Glass, the Liberty Library’s on-base librarian.

“Never Alone” is particularly meaningful for military-connected children, as it addresses themes of loss, resilience, and hope—experiences many of these students are familiar with. “The students loved meeting a real-life author, and Geoffrey the Giraffe was like a superstar,” said kindergarten teacher Anne Sundell. “One student even got to hold Geoffrey during the story, and they were thrilled to tell Miss Carrie about their dreams when they grow up!”

The event also featured Ian Conway, who attended in honor of his late daughter, Louise Conway, for whom Geoffrey the Giraffe holds a special place. “Never Alone” is part of a collaboration with Giraffes on Tour, a charity that honors Louise’s memory and raises awareness for childhood leukemia. Louise lost her battle with leukemia in 2013, and Geoffrey was her favorite toy. The charity works closely with Great Ormond Street Hospital, and their mission to bring hope to children battling illness was a central theme of the event.

The Lakenheath Elementary School Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) donated signed copies of “Never Alone” to each kindergarten class, as well as to the school's information center, ensuring that Geoffrey’s story would continue to inspire and comfort students for years to come.

Richards, who has served as the school’s information specialist for three years, reflected on the experience, saying, “This is the first author I’ve had the pleasure to bring to LES, and I’m excited to bring even more authors to our students.” Richards, passionate about helping children discover a love for reading, also added, “Sharing literature with students is

 what I love most about my role here. Events like these bring books to life for kids.”