Carl Birk

MISSION STATEMENT

Our mission is to reach as many children as possible, to demonstrate that their imagination is the key to success. That handicaps do not have to restrict your achievements and that we can knock down any barrier placed in front of us.

"I read "Cully's Quest" to my class, it was perfect for my lesson on figurative speech."

Eursula Lewis
Second Grade Teacher
Berry Elementary
Houston (Texas) ISD

The Cully's Quest Story

Cully has the superpower of reading at lightning speed while his imagination challenges him wherever he goes. When he is faced with accomplishing a task, strange situations arise from the characters he has read that could halt him from reaching his goal. Can he aide the lion, find the young man and serve the king? Will they stop him? Can he reach his objective on time? Only Cully knows.

Our story keeps growing. "Cully's Quest" came out on November 30, 2017. However, the adventure began twenty years ago when I first met my publisher Vuthy Kuon. A graduate of Bellaire High School in Houston, Vuthy is a great talent. He presented at my school and we became friends. He was even on the cover of my first book. For years we talked about producing a book, me writing it and him publishing it, now it is came true.

Pictured here is Jesus Martinez, the illustrator. He was selected by chance even though we had known each other for years. I first met Jesus in the faculty lounge at Felix Tijerina Elementary School, he was a senior volunteer from Austin High School in Houston and I was the librarian. Then when I was transferred to James Berry Elementary, Jesus was working there as a teacher’s aide. He would work with the children and in his spare time decorate the hallways with his art skills. We had always talked about doing a book together, now that dream is coming true. So, this is my dream team and my dream story. I feel that this manuscript will be a masterpiece.

"The kids enjoyed the stories and
loved being able to ask questions.
They enjoyed being involved in the
story telling with the spoon activity.”
- Tamara Johns, Tinsley Elementary

Dyslexia is a Gift

Dyslexia is basically the under development of a part of the brain. The results are mainly words being jumbled up, a difficulty in reading, writing, math and spelling. However, their brain my be weak in one section, it adapts, so that another section is superpowered. For me, my strength became, research, current events and the Dewey Decimal System. I was diagnosed at the age of ten (testing at that time was by demand and my mother demanded it) in 1968. At the time, little was known so they suggested that my parents not tell me and see how my brain would adapt. My mother volunteered to guide me in the right path and did so throughout my career. She looked after me from a distance and once I retired from education, she passed away a few weeks later. I taught myself through what I was interested in. I learned math with baseball box scores, developed my reading through history books. Dyslexics once they get interested in a subject will not let go until they find something new they are interested in. That has been my life. I love to talk to children about Dyslexia and that it is not the end of the world. In fact, it is the beginning of something special. Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein, Henry Ford, Leonardo DaVinci, Walt Disney, Muhammad Ali, Steven Speilberg and George Washington were all Dyslexic and many, many more, Now that is something to look forward too.

Expand the Mind Tour

Our Expand the Mind Tour offers students the opportunity to experience how powerful their imagination is and how it can make their lives more rewarding. The programs are 45 minutes long and include such sections as storytelling, thought activities, book reading, musical spoons, writing advice, Q&A and much more. Each sessions can be by classrooms, grade levels or even entire schools (depending on the size). These are participant oriented programs. Students will talk about this, they will laugh and they will leave with a smile on their face. Afterwards, if they have more questions, your school can contact us and we will reply to every questions that they ask. Our goal is make children understand that nothing can hold them back from being the person they want to be. It is an experience of a lifetime.

Want a presentation? Go to author visits!!!

"Mr. Birk is a passionate storyteller."

Ana Nieto, Counselor
Coop Elementary
Houston (Texas) ISD

Interested in our books? Go to our store!!!

My Portfolio

In June, we toured The Last Bookstore in Los Angeles, California. This is one of the most unique bookstore in America. They use old books and recycle them into art that is displayed throughout the store. If you get a chance, tour this bookstore/art museum. We highly recommend it.

Imagination Station

Cully's superpower is his vivid imagination. He is looking for children that wish to join him on his quests by developing their own imagination. This club will unite people of the same belief that our dreams can push us to succeed. Members will be provided different tasks throughout the year and be able to connect with other dreamers around the world. Join us and make the world a better place by what we believe. The cost is free!!! So, if you are interested, click the button, sign up and let's make our dreams come true!!!

Carl Birk​"Imagination Breeds Knowledge"