Creating Barkley, Secret Service Dog was no stretch for H.K. Gilbert. She has always dreamed of writing for children. As a mother and frequent volunteer with children's projects and organizations, she confesses that her heart belongs to the kids and that's where she most focuses her time and personal efforts. A personal White House tour that also led to H.K. spending quality time with the President's dog, is what sparked the creation of Barkley, Secret Service Dog. H.K. wanted to create a fun learning experience for children through the eyes of a dog.

Throughout her life, H.K. has been involved with stage productions, TV commercials, musicals, and other areas of live entertainment. As an Ambassador of Goodwill, she created an album to help young women in her area. Her experiences in the entertainment field is what directed her down the path to create ideas for children, such as books and animated characters. This passion for children and their education is the impetus behind her creation of Barkley, Secret Service Dog, and it will continue to be the driving force behind its success.

H.K. GILBERT has always dreamed of writing children’s books. This children’s book was inspired by her beautiful daughter. Watching her daughter’s face filled with excitement as they read bedtime stories together inspired her to not only write books for children but to share the importance of parent and child interaction. Parents taking an extra five to ten minutes a day to sit down with their children and read to them will not only teach them valuable skills but will create a strong bond. Gilbert had the amazing opportunity to also volunteer for organizations such as Project R.E.A.D., which tutors adults who have never had the opportunity to learn to read. Volunteers attend workshops that teach them to help adult non-readers learn the basic skills they need to function in day-to-day activities. It’s a very rewarding program and is supported by numerous volunteers. Gilbert has also been involved in her community through organizations such as youth basketball, The Hillman House—a foundation that helps children with Cystic Fibrosis and houses their families during treatments—and helping raise money for Muscular Dystrophy. Within all these experiences, the common thread is that Gilbert is involved with activities that always give back! It’s her hope that she will inspire someone to be a volunteer in his or her community and for a parent to spend quality time by reading to their children. There is nothing more precious than our children, for they are the future of our world.