By: Talia Brooks
In 2005, second-grade teacher Kathryn Starke had a problem many educators face—she couldn’t find a single children’s picture book that introduced young readers to all seven continents. So, she wrote one.
That book, Amy’s Travels, didn’t just solve a classroom challenge. It sparked a movement.
Now, two decades later, Starke is celebrating the 20th anniversary of Creative Minds Publications, the publishing company she founded to bring that one story to life. What began as a personal project has become an award-winning publishing house with a global footprint—spanning over 26 countries and multiple continents—and a mission that remains steadfast: to teach the world to read.
From One Story to a Global Stage
“I was teaching second grade and looking for a children’s book to teach all seven continents,” Starke recalls. “When I couldn’t find one, I decided to tell the story of my friend Amy, who had lived on five of them.”
The story was an immediate hit with her students. Realizing its educational value and broad cultural appeal, Starke self-published Amy’s Travels and launched Creative Minds Publications to support its distribution.
The book has since become a classroom staple across the globe, earning recognition from the California Department of Education for its multicultural impact and even being turned into a stage musical by the Latin Ballet of Virginia.
But that was just the beginning.
From Author to Advocate
With a background in literacy education, Starke’s passion has always been rooted in equity and access. Over the past 20 years, she’s built Creative Minds Publications not only as a home for her own writing, but as a platform for other storytellers—authors with powerful, purpose-driven books who are often overlooked by mainstream publishers.
“We believe in publishing for a purpose,” she says. “We use our titles to increase awareness in areas like literacy, travel, cultural understanding, and environmental issues.”
Starke and her team carefully select books that are both educational and engaging, choosing projects they believe can truly make an impact in the life of a child. They also prioritize partnerships with authors who are as committed to promoting their work as the company is.
In recent years, the publishing house has expanded its catalog to include inspirational Christian titles—an initiative driven by strong reader demand and powerful manuscript submissions.
Tackle Reading: Literacy on the 50-Yard Line
One of the most exciting initiatives under the Creative Minds umbrella is Tackle Reading, a philanthropic campaign founded by Starke that brings together her two passions: literacy and football.
“Tackle Reading was created to promote a love of reading with a passion for football,” she explains.
Every March—coinciding with Read Across America Week—NFL teams, players, legends, and even Hall of Famers visit schools across the country to read to students, host literacy events, and donate books. The program, now entering its 10th annual event in 2026, has grown into a beloved nationwide tradition.
“The NFL has been one of our greatest partnerships,” Starke shares. “And for the last three years, Dr. Seuss Enterprises and Random House Children’s Books have sponsored the initiative, helping us bring books and joy to deserving schools from coast to coast.”
Publishing With Purpose—and Pride
Starke’s journey has been filled with proud moments—from seeing her books translated and staged, to watching students light up during author visits—but some of the biggest highlights have come from recognition on the world stage.
In 2024, she was invited to speak at the World Literacy Summit at Oxford University, a milestone that brought global visibility to the mission of Creative Minds Publications.
“It was surreal to be among international literacy leaders, sharing how our books and programs are changing lives,” she says. “It reaffirmed our purpose in a powerful way.”
Her book Tackle Reading—a guide and anthology for educators—has been adopted by countless schools. And her educator-focused title, A Touchdown in Reading: An Educator’s Guide to Literacy Instruction, was voted one of the “best books to teach kids to read,” helping more than 200 schools achieve measurable literacy success.
Looking to the Next 20 Years
As Creative Minds Publications enters its third decade, Starke’s vision is bigger than ever. In celebration of their 20th anniversary, the company is publishing 20 new books in 2025 and actively accepting submissions from debut authors and illustrators—no literary agent required.
“We’re excited to welcome new talent into our publishing family,” she says. “Our goal is to become a premiere publisher in the children’s book space.”
Starke is also eyeing expansion into entertainment, with plans to partner with producers and talent in the film and TV industry to adapt popular titles into children’s series and family-friendly movies.
“We’re building a catalog with staying power,” she says. “Stories that educate, entertain, and evolve into new formats.”
A Legacy of Literacy
At the heart of everything Kathryn Starke does—every book she writes, every partnership she builds, every author she supports—is a deep, unwavering belief in the power of literacy.
“No matter where you live, you learn about the seven continents,” she says. “And no matter who you are, the ability to read opens doors—for education, imagination, and opportunity.”
For Starke, Amy’s Travels wasn’t just a children’s book. It was a passport to something greater. And 20 years later, that journey is just getting started.
Find out more about her books, mission, and educational initiatives by visiting her official website: Creative Minds Publications.
