Jeff Tucker

I want every child to have the same head-start that my mother and father gave me! Looking back, there were Golden Books all the way to Louis L'amour. My dad never missed an edition of Readers Digest and I was reading those by 10, especially stories about animals. My parents were always encouraging me to read, or were reading to me. My mother would always hunt for used books. So, there was always a book for me to read.

Please, encourage your kids to read, really, it is one of the best gifts you will ever give them.

I was born in 1950 in Denver, CO. At age 14, my family moved to Southern California where I graduated from High School and went on to Junior College in Los Angeles.

In 1970 a career opportunity opened up and I moved to Seattle, WA. I was married in 1972, and I spent the next 30 years in the electronics distribution business.

After the death of my soul mate and my best friend, Ann, I found myself immensely sad and not particularly happy with God. But, as I have learned, He never gives up on those who believe and are willing to express their faith. One day in 2004, I felt the need to write some short children's books for a five year old Grandson. I created The Adventures of Pokey and Sparky as a place to go and not be sad at the loss of Ann, and to do something entertaining for my Grandson, Bryson. Having published five books on Amazon in September of 2012, I came to realize that God had a different purpose for me, always has had one, and He has used Pokey and Sparky to execute His plan. Getting kids to enjoy the values of reading and writing is that plan.

In 2010 I moved to Arizona where I now live at the base of Superstition Mountain in Gold Canyon. I enjoy the warmth and the southwestern sights I remember visiting as a child. It was after moving here that I found the time to work on publishing Pokey and Sparky and to have the time to promote reading at schools, libraries and special local events. A delight that has been, and continues to be.

In November of 2012, I enrolled at Grand Canyon University, a private Christian University in Phoenix, AZ. At 63, I am now a freshman seeking a Bachelors Degree in History. How exciting to go to school at my age! I am thrilled, and proud, to have made the President's List in my 1st semester. It is my hope to begin private tutoring in late spring of 2013 with kids and adults. I am a Christian and attend Spring of Life Christian Church in Mesa, AZ and give Thanks to God for the blessings of my life, for my family, for the great career I had, for the talents that I have been given, and the blessings I continue to receive every day.