Lift Your Light a Little Higher by: Heather Henson

Step into the shadows and follow the glow of a lantern deep into Mammoth Cave — the largest cave system in the world — guided by the remarkable Stephen Bishop. It’s 1840, and Stephen is an enslaved man, yet here underground, he is more than what the world above sees. Down here, he is the guide. He knows every turn, every echo, every secret of the stone. By the light of his lantern, visitors see wonder — and Stephen finds freedom in knowledge, in courage, and in the stories the cave helps him tell.

Heather Henson’s lyrical prose and Bryan Collier’s striking collage art honor Stephen Bishop’s real-life legacy as a trailblazer, explorer, and teacher whose light still shines long after his time. Lift Your Light a Little Higher is a powerful picture book about resilience, self-discovery, and the enduring human spirit.