Antigua and Barbuda’s own Kavvenia Francis is sending a powerful message through her new fictional children’s book, Kevy in the Big Blue Sea. The story, which draws from Francis’ personal experiences, celebrates resilience and courage, showing young readers that fear doesn’t have to stand in the way of achieving great things.
The book chronicles the journey of Francis and her four-woman team, who successfully rowed across the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. What sets Francis’ story apart is the fact that she was the only team member who couldn’t swim. Despite this, she didn’t let her fear or lack of swimming skills hold her back. “Initially, although I knew I couldn’t swim, I didn’t think of that as a hindrance,” she explains. “I just thought, ‘Okay, I need to learn to swim.’”
Her story resonates with many, particularly adults who have been inspired by her willingness to face her fears head-on. Francis also acknowledges her fear of sea creatures, which she continues to confront. “I still have a fear of sea creatures,” she admits. “But I felt it was important to get the message across that despite your fears, you can still accomplish something great.”
In addition to her book, Francis has partnered with Island Girl Crystal Clashing to help young children learn to swim. The two women now work together, with Francis serving as a toddler swim assistant at Clashing’s program. “I went from not being able to swim, to crossing two oceans, and now I’m helping teach little ones to swim,” she shares. “So that their story can be better than mine.”Kevy in the Big Blue Sea is now available in paperback on Amazon, with an official launch planned for later this year. Francis hopes the book will reach children as young as three or four, with a message that resonates across all ages. “My initial thought is to target early readers, but really smart children from ages 3 to 4 will enjoy it and all the way up,” she says.
Through her work and her new book, Francis is not just telling a story, but also imparting a lesson about overcoming personal challenges—proving that even in the face of adversity, success is within reach.
