Luci Armstrong — “Blasting onto the Book Scene”
Raised as the youngest of ten in Kentucky, Luci Armstrong grew up surrounded by farms, lakes, wide country skies, and the tall tales her brothers spun. With parents who taught that hard work and kindness were a way of life, her childhood was rich in love, imagination, and lessons that shaped her future.
Her mother volunteered as a reading tutor in Luci’s first-grade class and read to her every night at home. Luci still remembers a friend once telling her, “You’re so lucky your mom reads to you every day.” In that moment, she realized that not all children were given the same gift—and that early love of reading would shape her life’s mission.
Luci always dreamed of having a big family. She was blessed to become a mother to her son, Andrew, and eleven years later, her daughter Lily arrived as a surprise blessing. “I always knew I wanted to be a mom,” Luci shares. “My kids are the heart and soul of every dream and story I tell.”
For two decades, Luci built a successful career in interior design, creating multimillion-dollar homes with her eye for beauty and detail. Yet her love of storytelling never faded. Eventually, she felt called to blend her design creativity with her playful imagination. That dream gave rise to Boom Boom Ted, a children’s book series bursting onto the literary scene with humor, heart, and vibrant color.
Today, Luci is more than an author—she is a passionate children’s literacy advocate. She believes books can carry young readers beyond their circumstances, empowering them to dream bigger and shape their own futures. “Reading gives you wings. It lifts you beyond your circumstances and carries you into worlds where anything is possible.”
With nearly two-thirds of American children struggling to read fluently, Luci has made it her mission to help change those statistics. She is committed to putting books in children’s hands that make them excited to read—stories that feel like adventure, not homework. Through her books, school and library events, and community outreach, she hopes to ignite a love of reading that lasts a lifetime.
From her Kentucky roots to motherhood, from designing luxury homes to signing books for wide-eyed children at fairs and festivals, Luci Armstrong’s journey proves that humble beginnings and bold dreams can create stories that change lives. Through every page she writes, she invites children everywhere to imagine, to dream, and above all, to know they are deeply loved.
Luci’s Boom Boom Ted children’s book series is currently under consideration for development as an animated television cartoon series, marking a significant milestone for the popular children’s literature franchise. Her book, Ben The Hen recently won the Golden Wizard Award.
How did your upbringing shape your future?
I grew up on a Kentucky farm as the youngest of ten children. Life was simple back then -no social media, just wide-open spaces, family gatherings, and endless adventures. My brothers spun tall tales, and imagination was part of our daily lives. My mother, who volunteered as a reading tutor in my first-grade class, showed me the true power of books. She read to me every night, and I’ll never forget a classmate once saying, “You’re so lucky your mom reads to you every day.” That moment stayed with me, because I realized not every child had that gift — or the love and affection we were surrounded with. Those humble beginnings shaped my love of storytelling and planted the seed for everything I do today.
You built a successful career in interior design. What led you to the Boom Boom Ted series?
Interior design taught me about creating spaces that inspire, but I always felt a tug back toward storytelling. After years in design, I started writing for children because I wanted to spark imagination the same way my childhood stories sparked mine. Boom Boom Ted was born from that desire — blending humor, adventure, and a touch of chaos. I also feel that my design aesthetic has carried over into my books, helping me create stories that are bright, cheerful, and visually engaging — books that draw children in and capture their attention.
Tell us about your powerful main characters, Ted and Judy.
Ted has a scientific mind and an endless curiosity about the world. He loves to solve problems — usually with a big boom. With his spiky blond hair, red goggles, overalls, and boundless imagination, everything he touches seems to explode into chaos, but always with a laugh. His younger sister, Judy, is his perfect counterbalance: clever, steady, and a double top-secret agent with missions of her own. Together, they represent curiosity, creativity, and the importance of teamwork. Kids see themselves in Ted’s wild ideas and Judy’s resourcefulness, and together they prove that courage and imagination can go hand in hand.
What are the recurring themes?
At the heart of the Boom Boom Ted series is the belief that failure is just another word for trying. Ted’s inventions don’t always work — in fact, they often blow up spectacularly — but he never gives up. Each story celebrates resilience, problem-solving, sibling teamwork, and the courage to dream big. And beneath the laughter and explosions, there’s always a reminder about kindness, bravery, and the importance of getting back up and trying again. Kids see that even when things don’t go as planned, mistakes aren’t the end — they’re just stepping stones to something bigger.
Share your inspiration for Lucky Lily.
Lucky Lily & The Race of a Lifetime is deeply personal. The character of Lily is inspired by my daughter, Lily Rose, an equestrian with a determined spirit and a love for horses. I used to take her to riding lessons, and watching her in the saddle, so focused, so brave , moved me to capture that determination on the page. Seeing her rebound and keep trying even when things didn’t go as planned inspired the heart of the story. The book celebrates believing in yourself even when the odds seem impossible. Just like Ted, Lily is proof that big dreams belong to every child. Whatever that dream is. For me, it’s also a tribute to the special bond between a mother and daughter – the joy of cheering her on, sharing in her victories, and seeing her courage shine.
The Boom Boom Ted book series has captured the attention of television producers exploring opportunities to adapt the stories for animated programming. How excited are you?
I’m beyond excited! To see Ted and Judy move from the page to the screen feels like a dream come true. Animation brings their adventures to life in ways that will make children laugh, cheer, and maybe even dream up their own inventions. For me, it’s not just about entertainment — it’s about extending the mission of inspiring kids everywhere to love reading, storytelling, and creativity.
You have big dreams for Boom Boom Ted. Share your vision for the future.
My vision is to build Boom Boom Ted into a world that children can step into from every angle: books, animation, YouTube, toys, even literacy programs through the Boom Boom Ted Foundation. I want every child — whether in a classroom, a library, a hospital, or their own home — to hold a book that makes them smile. The ultimate dream is simple but powerful: to spark a lifelong love of reading and remind children that they are never too small to dream big.
Readers can find me at luciarmstrongbooks.com and connect on Instagram at @boomboomtedbooks
