Page created by: Rick Glover

Kirk Eason is a remarkable man! Here is his amazing story as told by his loving daughter Wendy…

My father is the kind of dad who always loved writing funny poems, reading books aloud in silly voices, and finding ways to engage and entertain us. In 1992, he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease; a disease he knew well from watching his own father’s battle with it. Ten years later, in 2002, he was forced into early retirement because, although his mind was still sharp, his body could no longer keep up.

Parkinson’s had shaken my dad’s confidence, and left him wondering what he could still do that would be worthwhile. For a while he searched for his next steps, but struggled to define his new path. Until one day it hit him; focus on his strengths and abilities. He’s always had a creative mind, loved children, and relished learning new things. So why not write a children’s book?

He began using his sleepless nights to research animal traits and abilities. Collecting bite- sized facts about various “critters”, he started filling folders with information and figuring out engaging ways to present it to children. Soon he’d find that his late night study sessions were producing short poems about these critters, and his creative juices started to flow.

By 2005, his book idea was born; use simple rhymes, striking photography, and masterful illustrations to help children envision what it would be like If You Could Be… The Critter You See. As this idea filled out and gained momentum, he also added a “Critter Quiz” and a coloring book section to further engage his audience. His energy and enthusiasm were high and the idea was solid, but making this book a reality seemed an insurmountable task. How on earth does an average person find the backing to publish a book?

And so from 2005 - 2013, his ideas, his folders full of research, and his ambition all collected dust. Yet his belief in the concept and his faith in its strength never faltered. Therefore, when my uncle introduced him to a self-publishing option in 2013, he came alive with excitement for his book once again. In April 2014, he finally self-published If You Could Be… The Critter You See, and started selling it on Amazon.com.

Nowadays, he always keeps a stash of these books and some crayons in his car. When he and my mother go out for a meal, he keeps an eye open for a table with kids. Without fail, he’ll grab a few books and some crayons, hand them out to the children, and watch as they turn the pages and their eyes light up.

When recounting these stories to us, my dad puffs up with a sense of pride that I thought Parkinson’s had taken from him years ago. He’s found his confidence again, and rediscovered his self-worth. In that alone, he has defeated his Parkinson’s Disease and reclaimed himself.

I want, with all my heart, for my father’s book to become well-known, touching millions of children’s lives. The Kirkus review applauds his book as “An accessible, smart book that finds an impressive balance between education and enjoyment.”, but still the majority of his books have gone to family, friends, or children he meets around town. It’s a really wonderful book, written by a kind and thoughtful man; a man I am so proud to call my dad.

If you want your dreams to come true, you can never give up on them. My dad never gave up. I believe in my father, and I think his story should to be told. I hope you will too.

To Contact Kirk and see his book, go to http://kirkeasonbooks.com