Welcome to BookView Interview, a conversation series where BookView talks to authors.
Recently, we talked to Houston Howard, Karinna Karsten and Timothy Karsten about their recently released book, Global Galactics’ The Spark at the Center of the Universe, an exciting space adventure that blends heart and imagination. (Read the review here).
Global Galactics is an expansive universe where children explore the cosmos while learning valuable life lessons. The adventures begin at the Galactic Spark Space Station, a central hub built with eco-friendly materials that connects different planets and cultures. Here, young explorers can gaze at the stars, use holographic maps to learn about the galaxy, and interact with beings from across the universe. Guiding these adventures is Sparky, the lovable, fluffy traveler from the star Sirius, who is always eager to teach children about self-leadership and the power of connection. Alongside Sparky are characters like Makua, the wise whale shark from the ocean, who teach the importance of caring for the environment and community, and Heartstar, a radiant being whose glow strengthens with acts of love and kindness, showing children the power of empathy and compassion.
The Global Galactics brand launches with a rich media mix designed to engage children of all ages. For younger kids (ages 4 to 8), picture books follow Sparky and his friends on fun adventures that teach self-leadership, environmental stewardship, and relationship intelligence. Alongside the books are original songs and sing-along videos, introducing kids to Sparky, and the entire cast of characters through diverse music genres and settings. For older children (up to age 12), a line of early reader chapter books extends the story, following the kids from the picture books on more complex adventures. A fun and immersive podcast brings Sparky’s journeys to life, while plushies and eco-friendly merchandise let children bring their favorite characters home. The brand aims to grow into film, television, games, and an original musical, all while fostering a vibrant Global Galactic Community where kids can connect, collaborate, and make a positive impact across the world.
What inspired the premise of your story or product?
Global Galactics is based on the concept, world, and vision of Karinna and Timothy Karsten and was inspired by the incredible travels of Timothy and his dog, Sparky. For almost 19 years, they journeyed across 22 countries and all over the U.S., spending time in classrooms through Teach for America in Los Angeles and visiting schools in India, and Thailand. Through these experiences, they noticed a common thread: children everywhere were becoming more and more disconnected—not just from each other, but from themselves and the world around them.
That realization sparked the idea for Global Galactics. The goal is to help kids reconnect with their own unique strengths and the planet through fun, engaging stories. By following Sparky’s adventures, kids can explore themes like self-leadership and sustainability. all while learning how they can make a positive impact on the world around them. It’s about showing children that adventure is great, and it’s also about finding their own path to making a difference.
What do you hope readers will take away from your stories or products?
With The Spark at the Center of the Universe and the Global Galactics brand, we hope kids walk away feeling more confident in who they are and excited about their potential. The stories and products are designed to help them understand their unique strengths and how they fit into the bigger picture, both here on Earth and in the broader universe.
We want kids to not only enjoy the adventure but also gain tools for building self-confidence, leadership skills, and relationship intelligence. At the heart of it, our goal is to inspire them to think critically about their role in the world and empower them to step up as leaders—whether that’s in their friendships, their communities, or in caring for the planet.
How did you decide which genre or form was right for Global Galactics?
As a team, we put a lot of thought into how to best engage our target age group, and that’s how we landed on a variety of formats like picture books, podcasts, songs, activity packets, and early chapter books. These different formats give us the flexibility to reach kids in multiple ways, keeping them engaged while catering to their different learning styles and interests.
Since Global Galactics is an edutainment brand, we wanted to ensure that the content isn’t just fun but also educational. We follow national standards for U.S. schools, integrating key subjects like science, math, social studies, and the humanities into our products. This approach helps us create meaningful stories and activities that not only entertain but also teach valuable lessons.
How does your ethos or ethical outlook inform the writing and creation process?
Our ethos is deeply rooted in principles like leadership, sustainability, relationship intelligence, and global exploration, which have been central to our careers and lives. These values guide every aspect of Global Galactics, from the stories we write to the products we create. Specifically, with The Spark at the Center of the Universe, the message that we’re all significant is one that is at the core of the creative team.
We believe that by introducing these principles to children early on, we can help them build the skills they need to navigate both their personal journeys and the larger world around them. Our goal is to equip kids with the tools to lead with awareness, understand their impact on the planet, and embrace the diversity of experiences that life offers—whether here on Earth or out in the wider galaxy.
What life experiences have shaped the development of Global Galactics?
The development of Global Galactics has been deeply influenced by a mix of global travel, a passion for sustainability, and our experiences working with individuals facing interpersonal and leadership challenges. Through these experiences, we’ve gained a unique perspective on the importance of equipping the next generation with the tools to navigate an increasingly complex world.
Seeing firsthand how different cultures approach these challenges made us realize that kids today need more than just traditional education—they need emotional intelligence, leadership skills, and a sense of their role in the global community. We believe that by fostering these qualities early on, we can prepare them not just for life on this planet, but for a future that reaches into the universe.
What makes Global Galactics important right now?
Global Galactics is especially important right now because we’re living in an unprecedented time in history. Humanity is advancing rapidly—civilians are walking in space, and people are living longer, healthier lives. The children of today will face incredible opportunities, but also new challenges that we’ve never encountered before.
These future leaders will need to be prepared with a strong sustainability mindset and relationship intelligence skills. They’ll not only need to take care of Earth and its inhabitants but also be equipped to travel beyond our planet and potentially live in space for extended periods. Global Galactics aims to help them develop the leadership, insight and adaptability needed to thrive in this evolving world.
How do you come up with the names of your characters?
The name Sparky was inspired by our beloved dog, who was an incredible companion for nearly 19 years. His adventurous spirit became the foundation for the character in Global Galactics, which you will see not only in The Spark at the Center of the Universe, but in all of our books and other media. As for the rest of our amazing cast, their names reflect a mix of both global and galactic influences, emphasizing the diverse nature of our universe.
Some characters were developed internally by our team, while others came to life through a collaboration with talented students from SCAD in Savannah. We wanted the names to resonate with the character’s backgrounds, whether they’re from Earth or a distant galaxy, ensuring each one carries a unique story.
What do you hope children will learn from interacting with your products?
We hope that children interacting with Global Galactics will gain a strong sense of self-confidence and self-leadership. Our goal is to inspire them to recognize their own unique roles in making the world a better place, while also encouraging them to be good stewards of our planet.
Through our products, we also want kids to develop strong relationship skills—learning how to work together, communicate well, and lead with change. Additionally, we aim to spark their curiosity about the wonders of Earth and the exciting opportunities that space exploration holds for the future.
What’s next for Global Galactics?
What’s next for Global Galactics is an exciting lineup of new content and interactive experiences. We’re working on more picture books, with our second one set to be published in early 2025, as well as early reader chapter books. Additionally, we’ll be releasing a daily podcast by October 7st, available on platforms like Spotify and Apple. Parents and educators will receive seven episodes weekly, along with downloadable activity packets to keep kids engaged.
We’re also launching sing-along songs for each of our characters on YouTube, and early chapter books are in the works. On top of that, we’re developing an online kids’ club where children can share their own leadership stories and what they’re doing to make a difference in their schools and communities. All of this can be explored at our website, www.globalgalactics.com
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