Testimonials

Ruth Ramirez, Librarian

Larkspur Elementary School, NEISD

Chris was very friendly, enthusiastic, and really knew how to interact with the students. The kids had a great time creating their own stories. It was wonderful to hear the students' imaginations come alive.

Carol Boyd, 5/6th grade Teacher

Brazosport Christian School

Chris Mullen came and spent the afternoon with our 5th and 6th graders. He was such an awesome presence for students who struggle with putting words on paper. He told his experience and how he developed the character Rowdy, and eventually, writing his book. A few of my students toy with writing and meeting a real life author was inspirational to say the least. He read some from his book and shared his plans for the future Rowdy books.

The most practical help was an activity he did in which students brainstormed problems and solutions with him on the white board. Then he helped them verbally fill in the story. After spending some time teaching them how to start thinking about the story, he had them actually start a story. As students worked, he moved through the class prompting them and giving them guidance. 

The afternoon we spent with Chris raised our creative thinking and helped us learn how to organize our writing. I am eager to see him return with more fun activities!

Malcolm Smith

Headmaster, Calvary Episcopal Preparatory, Retired

Having grown up during the infancy of television, Saturday mornings started early with a bowl of cereal and waiting for adventures to begin. Many of those “adventures” were set in the old west. The most famous included “Roy Rogers and Dale Evans,” “The Lone Ranger,” and movies like “Old Yeller.”  The library was filled with books that could take you back to this fascinating era. As an educator of fifty years, I have sadly watched children’s book topics move toward more “adult-type” themes and away from adventure that provides the reader with strong value-driven characters, inspiring role models, and themes that have a defining moral message. What a pleasure to have a book, “Rowdy, Wild and Mean, Sharp and Keen,” that provides the reader with high adventure in a western setting and includes the positive characteristics that are so greatly needed today. As the reader is introduced to Rowdy, he/she shares the challenges Rowdy faces, the dangers he meets, the characters he encounters, and the decisions that he makes. Although “Rowdy, Wild and Mean, Sharp and Keen,” is a book for young readers, adults will enjoy it, as well. 

Chris Mullen is a new author who has spent his career in the classroom as an early childhood teacher. I have known Chris since he began teaching over twenty years ago. Our paths first crossed when, as a public-school administrator, I recognized that Chris had a unique teaching style that engaged the students outside the textbook through music, movement, and drama. When I became headmaster of an Episcopal School, I eagerly recruited Chris to join our faculty. Our professional relationship continued in the private setting for almost a decade, until I retired, and he ventured into being a full-time author.  During that time, Chris was recognized by the Southwestern Association of Episcopal Schools as Outstanding Teacher of the Year. 

Chris is an educator at heart, who is an outstanding writer. Combining these two talents, he will engage your students, inspire them with the love of reading and offer your faculty a variety of insights on how to better motivate students to be lovers of reading and writing. 

Crystal Brock, 7th grade Teacher

Calvary Episcopal Preparatory

Chris Mullen’s visit was a wonderful experience for our class. He did not hesitate to thoroughly answer all of our questions and provided exciting information. Chris‘s positive attitude created a welcoming environment towards upcoming writers. The enthusiasm that he portrayed was contagious. After giving us a sneak peek of his new novel, we are thrilled to continue reading the trilogy that he is creating.