Texas Author Strives to Lower Illiteracy by Catering to Teachers and Homeschoolers

Jan. 17, 2013 - PRLog -- With illiteracy rates over 14% in the US (NCES), new author, Courtney Kirk, strives to make a difference by encouraging positive reading habits from an early age.  Courtney Kirk is the new author of several children’s books:  A Funny Farm at the Zoo, a picture book for ages 4 – 9 and Boy Trouble in the First Grade, an early reader chapter book for 1st – 3rd grades.    She brings humor to her stories and provides teachers (and parents) with free downloadable activities from creative writing projects to crafts and even science experiments with Scientist Sid, the curious scientist that created his own funny farm.  Available to download free at http://www.DiveIntoReading.com.

With a focus on pre-school ages to second grade, Courtney Kirk shares stories that give kids the enthusiasm to read, or at least look at the pictures.  Thanks to technology today, teachers can excite and introduce their young readers at minimal expense with a virtual author visit via software like Skype.  Children may engage in questions and story reading.  Courtney will even walk students through an activity together all via the computer.  Talking to the author is always exciting to a child!    

Courtney Kirk has created stories since she was a little girl and still loves it.  “All my children are teenagers now, but I still pick up a new children’s picture book every time I walk into Barnes and Noble,” Courtney shares. Now that her children are past the age of constant monitoring and room mom’s, she has time to pursue her passion, writing for children.  “It is more of a hobby that I want to share with others hopefully bringing other children the same joy I get out of picking up a book with a good story and pretty pictures.”  

Courtney Kirk mostly likes a bit of humor in her stories.  “A child’s laughter is the most enjoyable sound,” she laughs.  So for instance, in A Funny Farm at the Zoo, Scientist Sid looks around his brother’s zoo and begins to wonder what animals would look like if mixed together.  He concocts mixtures using hair and feathers from animals to create new animals such as the Quackorilla, Oinkadillo, Elephiger and more!  “When my kids laughed and began sharing their own ideas, I knew it was a story worth sharing.”

In Boy Trouble in the First Grade, a story for early chapter readers, she dreamed up Izzy, a love struck first grade girl.  Izzy tries everything to get her first grade crush to fall for her.  Then, Mom shares an age-old secret every girl learns.  From mud pies to her mother’s perfume, this little story brings giggles.

Courtney Kirk married her high school sweetheart and they have been married for over 17 years now and are the proud parents of four teenagers.  She and her husband began their family with two active boys then later adopted two beautiful girls from the small eastern European country of Moldova.  She has spent years in the real estate and new home construction industry with a heavy emphasis in marketing where she was able to utilize her creative skills.  She continues to work with her husband part time marketing their custom home building business, raising her children and writing children’s books.  

To learn more about Courtney Kirk, her books, or download science experiments and activities, visit http://www.DiveIntoReading.com or read her blog at http://www.squidoo.com/dive-into-reading.