(Mission Times Courier, San Diego, Ca) -  A new children's book, Laverne the Runway Stowaway, produced by San Diego International Airport as part of their Airport Explorers program has debuted. The book author is Judy McSweeney, an airport employee and resident of Del Cerro.

"Laverne" will educate and entertain young audiences by sharing the whimsical adventures of a lost, endangered least tern that nests at the airport.  Through the eyes of imaginary airport characters Propeller Pete, SkyKid Sam, Jet the dog and Flygirl Pearl, "Laverne" tells the story of a curious California least tern chick who gets lost and with the help of her new friends tries to find her way home on the airport's runway. "Laverne" was chosen as the small seabird's name because it means "born in the spring," which corresponds with the start of the least tern's nesting season of April through September.

This is the newest in a series of books published as part of the Airport Explorers program, an ongoing initiative to inspire youth interest in aviation and environmental responsibility. "Laverne, the Runway Stowaway" will be donated to area libraries and San Diego schools.  The book will be available for purchase this spring.