Courtney Kelly launches new children’s book on building an Atlanta runway

Courtney Kelly’s Celeste Paves the Way follows a young civil engineer through the design and construction of a new runway in Atlanta and is now available worldwide ahead of its June 30 release. The children’s book is meant to spotlight aviation careers, engineering work and the real-world process behind airport infrastructure.

Why it matters: - Celeste Paves the Way uses a children’s story to introduce engineering, aviation and airport construction to young readers. - The book is designed to show how runway projects work in the real world, from design and testing to construction and opening day. - The release also aims to highlight aviation pioneers and encourage children to imagine careers in civil engineering and aviation.

What happened: - Author and civil engineer Courtney Kelly released Celeste Paves the Way, her third children’s book, around the world. - The story follows Celeste, a young civil engineer who helps replace an aging runway in Atlanta so bigger planes can land. - The book is based on Kelly’s career in construction management. - Celeste Paves the Way is slated for release on June 30, 2026, and is already available at bookstores worldwide. - Formats include eBook, hardcover and paperback. - The book is available in English, German, French and Spanish. - Autographed copies are available through Courtney Kelly Books.

The details: - The story sends Celeste to airports and cities including Frankfurt, London, Singapore, Colombia and Kenya. - In Atlanta, Celeste and a team of civil engineers work to determine the best runway configuration and material thickness. - Celeste visits a lab to test asphalt and concrete samples and learn which material is better for the runway. - She spends time with an airplane mechanic to better understand how planes work. - The book includes a toolbox featuring aviation pioneers Bessie Coleman, Eugene Jacques Bullard, Willa Brown and the Tuskegee Airmen. - Celeste observes a FOD walk, when airport operations professionals inspect a runway for foreign object debris. - A digital twin is used to analyze the final runway and taxiway layout. - The construction sequence includes rebar placement and a concrete pour. - The story ends with Celeste celebrating the new runway opening and urging readers to “reach greater heights” and let their “dreams take flight!” - The hardcover ISBN is 979-8-9903082-6-8. - The book is 32 pages long and lists a price of $19.99.

Between the lines: - Kelly is positioning the book as both entertainment and career exposure, using a familiar character to make technical work accessible to children. - The Atlanta runway setting gives the story a concrete example of infrastructure work that many readers may not see up close. - The emphasis on aviation pioneers and a diverse cast of global locations broadens the book’s cultural reach beyond a single engineering project. - The release also builds on a small but growing children’s book catalog that has already found an audience beyond the U.S.

What’s next: - Kelly’s book will officially go on sale June 30, 2026. - Readers can learn more at Courtney Kelly Books. - Kelly’s earlier books, Celeste Saves the City and Celeste Tunnels Underground, have already been translated into three languages and sold more than 7,000 copies in over 15 countries. - Kelly also continues her work as a project director, adjunct professor at SMU and member of several engineering and professional organizations.

The bottom line: - Celeste Paves the Way turns a runway replacement into an introduction to civil engineering, aviation and the people who keep airports moving.