If you’ve ever watched a child struggle to read…the sighing, squirming, the blank stare at the page…you know that heartbreak. You can see the very moment they start to give up on themselves.

My name is Robert Gould, and I’ve dedicated my life to helping those kids…especially boys, who are at the highest risk of falling behind. I’m a children’s book author, creator, and children’s literacy advocate. And I’ve come up with a solution.

The Problem

Across America, millions of children are in crisis. Reading scores have plummeted. By 4th grade, nearly two-thirds of boys are reading below grade level…1-2 grade levels below…and most never catch up.

If they don’t learn to read proficiently by the 4th grade, statistics show we often lose them…for life.

But here’s the good news: I discovered something that can turn that around.

The Breakthrough: “Stealth Literacy”

Over 20 years ago, I developed and tested a revolutionary new book format…part story, part movie…designed specifically for reluctant readers. I called them “movie-books.”

The idea was simple but powerful:

• Kids read more when reading feels fun.

• They stay engaged when visuals are dynamic and storytelling is cinematic.

• Engagement leads to retention, and retention leads to confidence.

Boys require more visual stimulation to ENGAGE and hold their interest. High-interest graphics are a key factor in capturing and maintaining the interest of reluctant readers.

So I created Time Soldiers®, a visually stimulating adventure series built for the kids who’d already decided reading “wasn’t for them.”

And it worked.

The Results

Librarians called the series “a miracle.”

Teachers said, “The boys in the back of the class finally raise their hands... with answers!”

Kids didn’t just read…they devoured the books.

Libraries reported waiting lists. Covers wore out from use. Test results showed kids remembered up to 400% more of what they read.

And when we won the Golden Duck Award (for excellence in children’s science fiction) and multiple iParenting Media Awards, I thought we’d finally made it.

But the publishing gatekeepers said:

“Too many pictures for a chapter book.”

“Too many words for a picture book.”

“We don’t know where to put it.”

My mentor, Stan Lee, one of the greatest storytellers of all time, said I had "the next great thing to get kids reading," so I did what any believer does...I published them myself.

I toured the country giving away thousands of books. Kids lit up. The concept worked everywhere I went. Response was incredible, but I still couldn't break past the gatekeepers.

And then... life happened.

The Setback...and the Wake-Up Call

After years of pushing uphill, emotionally drained and out of resources, I walked away.

Then, in 2023, I was diagnosed with cancer. It advanced to Stage IV before I got it under control.

But I fought. I survived. And when I came out the other side...cancer-free...I knew exactly what I had to do: finish what I started.

The Mission — Reignited

For the last two years, during treatment and recovery, I’ve been rebuilding the dream.

I restocked the Time Soldiers® series, started three new "movie-book" style series for 2026, and began developing an illustrated series that teaches kids about money, business, and entrepreneurism, called "Sharkey, Kid Entrepreneur."

These books weren’t just read, they were devoured. They were checked out from libraries so often that their covers wore down and spines cracked from almost constant use.

The gatekeepers had been wrong. In our testing, teachers and school librarians alike told us kids would come in day after day to check out the next books in the series, only to be frustrated (sometimes even devastated) that they were already checked out and there was a waiting list.

I also rebooted my award-winning series of board books (BiG Stuff®) for 2-4-year-olds.

"Sharkey – Kid Entrepreneur" books 1-3 of 12

Sharkey – Kid Entrepreneur is a hilarious and inspiring book series that teaches real-world business skills through outrageous schoolyard adventures. Designed to ignite a love of reading and critical thinking in kids ages 8 - 12, Sharkey and his friends face candy-selling consequences, lemonade turf wars, and lawnmower catastrophes–all while learning how business really works. Each book is a "literal" blueprint for a business that any child can start. The first three are delightfully retro...then the training wheels come off.

Next, going back to the "movie-book" format is a hyper-visual book about robotic monster trucks battling remote-controlled T-Rex robots designed and built by teams of kids from around the world. The kind of stuff that boys won’t be able to put down. (Concept pics for style and age group testing shown) It's different because it needs to be.

And a more traditional look for another series...a hysterical, easy-to-read story about a baby T-Rex that jumps out of a boy's computer and proceeds to make the biggest mess possible right before his sister's birthday party...and mom is due back from the grocery store any minute!

And finally a series about kids who have dinosaurs as best friends, a blend of fiction and non-fiction in the "movie-book" format.

But I’ve exhausted everything:

My savings

My investments

My retirement

And now, I need your help to bring these life-changing books to kids everywhere.

What I Need

I have $175,000 in books sitting in a warehouse — ready for kids, schools, and libraries — but I need funds to relaunch and scale this mission.

Your support will help me:

✅ Hire a small team to manage Amazon/social media outreach.

✅ Finish the next Time Soldiers® titles and Sharkey books.

✅ Fund illustrations and production for 2026 launches.

✅ Build a “Buy 2, Give 1” model — every two books sold funds one donated to a school or library.

✅ Create an online “Reading Motivation Course” for parents — turning book-avoiding kids into self-propelled readers in just 8 weeks.

Why It Matters

This isn’t just about books. It’s about hope.

It’s about helping a child discover that they can read...and want to read.

That moment changes a life forever.

How You Can Help

• Donate what your heart tells you...every dollar goes toward putting books in kids’ hands.

• Share this campaign with educators, parents, and anyone who cares about literacy.

• Partner with us if you’re a school, library, or literacy organization.

• Collaborate if you’re a philanthropist or company ready to build a legacy for children.

Let’s Build a Legacy Together

Stan Lee once told me, “Robert, you can’t give up.”

I didn’t.

Now I’m asking you to stand with me...to prove that we, together, can ignite a love of reading in kids who desperately need it.

Let’s give them books they can’t put down.

Let’s change lives — one reader at a time.

With gratitude,

Robert Gould

Author • Creator • Children’s Literacy Advocate

BigGuyBooks.com

"Every child deserves a story that lights a spark."