Paul, Richard A.
March 27, 1957 -
Place of Birth: Detroit, MI
Place of Principle Residence: Macomb, MI
Biography:
Richard A. Paul was born to Marion and Frank Paul in Detroit, MI. At age eleven he learned ventriloquism, which sparked a lifetime career as an author, vantriloquest, and speaker. Paul earned his Associates in marketing at Macomb College in 1978, and a BA in communiciation in 1981 at Oakland University. He is the CEO of Duck Sense, a creative company offering motivational programs. Paul has authored several books, including The Magic Telescope, that incorporate humor along with life lessons, and has spoken to over 600,000 businesses and schools. Currently Paul lives in Macomb, MI with his wife, Leesa, and his three children, Nicholas, Colin, and Jasmine.
Selected Works:
- The Magic Telescope (1996)
- Red Riding Hood Races the Big Bad Wolf (1999)
Awards:
- Speaker Ladder Award (International Platform Association)
- Best Speaker Awards (Toastmaster International)
- Best children’s Book Category (Mid-American Publishers Association)
- Recipient of annual advance skill training from the National Speakers Association and NSA Michigan
- Award winning Author “Honorable Mention” Midwest Publishers Association
Critical Reception:
For Red Riding Hood Races the Big Bad Wolf:
“Paul dispenses with the multi-level symbolism of the folk tale in favor of a single themed self-esteem/morality lesson, namely that a child in a wheelchair can accomplish whatever she sets out to do if only she believes in herself and gets confident support from her friends and family. While that lesson may appear to be directed at children with special needs, the book also works with able-bodied children. Parents and educators will likely find this book a useful tool in encouraging positive thinking for special needs children and their peers.”
- Fore Word Magazine
“A modern spoof of an old fairy tale, This Red Riding Hood has mobility and speed advantages: she uses a wheelchair. Red Riding Hood Races the Big Bad Wolf is geared to reading levels 3-7, but it’s funny and hip and few adults would be able to read it to a child without chuckling to themselves.”
- Detroit Feee Press
“A wonderful book that delights it’s readers with a more humorous approach to the ever increasing knowledge that success is developed even at a young age and stems from a person’s ability to utilize that which has been made available to her along with the desire to reach far beyond those set of boundries.”
- Ablity Magazine
Relevance of Place to Author’s Work:
Paul was born and educated in Michigan. He currently lives in Macomb, MI where he runs a successful company, Duck Sense.