Carl Birk aka Cully the Storyteller is an award winning educator, author and storyteller. Born on August 16, 1958 in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, Carl is a graduate of the UW - Whitewater. He literally blew into Houston the day before Hurricane Alicea in 1983 and took on the librarian role for thirty three years in the Houston Independent School District honing his craft by writing stories that he read to students throughout those years. He racked up local and national awards including being the only person to be awarded Houston ISD Teacher of the Year (1990) and Houston ISD Librarian of the Year (2000). Carl resides in Houston with his wife.
Carl's family has been storytellers for nearly one thousand years. Since the time his family patriarch, Victor de Bard entered the court of William the Conqueror, storytelling has been handed down from generation to generation in his family. Victor's son Hugo, the storyteller for Richard the Lionhearted, even had a Scottish legend told of him (The Eagles of Auchmedden). Carl is just continuing his family tradition.
Carl's family has been storytellers for nearly one thousand years. Since the time his family patriarch, Victor de Bard entered the court of William the Conqueror, storytelling has been handed down from generation to generation in his family. Victor's son Hugo, the storyteller for Richard the Lionhearted, even had a Scottish legend told of him (The Eagles of Auchmedden). Carl is just continuing his family tradition.
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.
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.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Who was your inspiration in life?
"I have had many people who have inspired me. First was my mother who was a librarian for 28 years. She showed me the importance of learning. Then there was Walt Disney for his imagination. There was Vince Lombardi for his winning attitude. Mark Fidrych for his positive attitude. Others have influenced me, but these were the main one."
How old are you?
"I am one day younger then dirt. At least I feel like that at times."
How do you get permission to use copyrighted material?
"I only use public domain material. Manuscripts that out live the copyright dates. To use copyrighted material you need to ask permission from the original writer or artist. My way is easier and less hassle."
Why do you write?
"For the simple reason that I want children to enjoy reading and use the imagination that has been given them. Everyone has imagination, they just need to use it. Seeing the face of a child that beams with delight while reading my story inspires me to write more."
What advice can you give a young writer?
"My best advice is for you to purchase a small notebook and place it next to their bed with a pen or pencil. Then in the morning when you wake up you write down whatever you dreamed about. Save it and come back at a later time when you need an idea for your writing. You will not believe what great stories will appear."
Do you have any exercises that helps your writing?
"The exercise I do every day is very simple. I write the happiest story ever in four words. Like "I won the lottery", "I went to Disneyland", "I am still breathing." Just like every children's book, less is better and then you expand."
What is your favorite book?
"My top five favorite books"
1. Cully's Quest by me.
2. Bubba the Cowboy Princess by Helen Ketteman.
3. Frindle by Andrew Clement.
4. The Halloweiner by Dav Pilkey
5. Rascal by Sterling North.
Who was your inspiration in life?
"I have had many people who have inspired me. First was my mother who was a librarian for 28 years. She showed me the importance of learning. Then there was Walt Disney for his imagination. There was Vince Lombardi for his winning attitude. Mark Fidrych for his positive attitude. Others have influenced me, but these were the main one."
How old are you?
"I am one day younger then dirt. At least I feel like that at times."
How do you get permission to use copyrighted material?
"I only use public domain material. Manuscripts that out live the copyright dates. To use copyrighted material you need to ask permission from the original writer or artist. My way is easier and less hassle."
Why do you write?
"For the simple reason that I want children to enjoy reading and use the imagination that has been given them. Everyone has imagination, they just need to use it. Seeing the face of a child that beams with delight while reading my story inspires me to write more."
What advice can you give a young writer?
"My best advice is for you to purchase a small notebook and place it next to their bed with a pen or pencil. Then in the morning when you wake up you write down whatever you dreamed about. Save it and come back at a later time when you need an idea for your writing. You will not believe what great stories will appear."
Do you have any exercises that helps your writing?
"The exercise I do every day is very simple. I write the happiest story ever in four words. Like "I won the lottery", "I went to Disneyland", "I am still breathing." Just like every children's book, less is better and then you expand."
What is your favorite book?
"My top five favorite books"
1. Cully's Quest by me.
2. Bubba the Cowboy Princess by Helen Ketteman.
3. Frindle by Andrew Clement.
4. The Halloweiner by Dav Pilkey
5. Rascal by Sterling North.
Our Team
This is a very special group that has made "Cully's Quest" the book that it is.
Carl Birk - Author
Jesus Martinez - Illustrator
Aisha Abbassi - Illustrator
Vuthy Kuon - Publisher
Karen Birk - Editor
Barbara Birk - Editor
Nadun Obeysekara - Illustrator
Myrna Birk - Management
Cully - Main Character
This is a very special group that has made "Cully's Quest" the book that it is.
Carl Birk - Author
Jesus Martinez - Illustrator
Aisha Abbassi - Illustrator
Vuthy Kuon - Publisher
Karen Birk - Editor
Barbara Birk - Editor
Nadun Obeysekara - Illustrator
Myrna Birk - Management
Cully - Main Character
