To the outside world, Amir and Ahmad are just ordinary brothers, but in Zelda Hill’s new children’s book, a simple fist bump transforms them into “Duck and Bubba,” a superhero duo.

Hill, a children’s author and community educator known for his work with the Alzheimer’s Association, has released the first installment in a planned 12-part series “Duck and Bubba: The Secret Fist Bump.”

While the market is flooded with stories of superheroes fighting galactic villains, Hill wanted to ground his characters in reality.

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The book focuses on brotherhood, kindness and the distinct personalities of the two boys. Duck is the nickname of Ahmad; his brother, Amir, is known as Bubba.

“It is a little bit of both real life and imagination,” Hill said. “Amir, the oldest, the whole thing was his concept. He is really into sports and wanted to come up with these superheroes. I said, ‘Why not?’ ”

The story follows Duck and Bubba, who appear to be ordinary children until they use their magical rings from their grandfather.

A simple fist bump activates their powers, granting Duck super-strength and Bubba super-brains. However, the story emphasizes that having powers does not always result in perfection.

The narrative includes accidental juice box explosions and a soaked poodle, highlighting the learning curve of growing up.

For Hill, the shift from writing serious non-fiction about Alzheimer’s disease to a whimsical children’s series was driven by a deeply personal loss.

“My greatest hero was my father,” Hill said. “I lost my father a year ago to the dreadful disease of Alzheimer’s. The greatest gift that God gave us is our memories. The one thing that I promised myself was that I was going to build memories with my grandkids.”

Hill wanted to capture the family bond and put it in a bottle to preserve it. The result is a story that prioritizes emotional strength over physical fighting.

In a digital age where children face bullying and pressure from social media, Hill wanted to create a safe space where children could see themselves represented as heroes in their own neighborhoods.

“We forgot that kids need to have their own little world. Let kids be kids,” Hill said. “There was a time when we could wake up on Saturday morning, watch cartoons, get on the bike, eat cereal and go outside. We have to get back to that.”

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The local community is already responding to the message. Camille Alexander, a local mother, was among the first people to read the book to her children. 

“As a mother, it really inspired me,” Alexander said. “It was not just telling kids that they can do anything and be anything, but actually showing them.”

Alexander noted that the story of two brothers bonding and helping their neighbors resonated with her as a parent.

“It was definitely a good story just to see the two brothers bonding and helping people in the community,” Alexander said. “I thought that was really fun.”

Hill has ambitious plans for the series. He recently secured a 12-book deal, with the second book slated for release in March or April. 

The upcoming sequel will introduce the boys’ first villain, a raccoon that steals snacks at a school.

“The principal is going to call the grandfather, and the grandfather is going to let them know that they have a mission,” Hill explained regarding the next book. “They go to the school, find the raccoon and get the snacks back and save the school festival.”

Beyond writing, Hill is working to engage directly with the community in hopes to make reading “cool again” through school visits and library readings in Shelby and DeSoto County.

“I want kids in the community to see that people who look like them and live like them can be heroes in their own world,” Hill said. “You never know what kid this will strike a match with.”

“Duck and Bubba: The Secret Fist Bump” is currently available through Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and Hill noted that a website is on the way.

“I am glad God has put me on this journey,” Hill said. “I am going to push it to the limit. Whatever doors open up, I am going to be willing to go in and capture the moment.”