Speech-Language Pathologist · Author · Illustrator · Advocate for literacy, play, creativity, and laughs.
KC likes to create. He spent several years creating houses. He spent several years creating a piece of paper — a Master's Degree in Speech-Language Pathology. He and his wife spent several years creating four of their own beautiful children. Now, he spends most of his time creating for kids.
For the past 15+ years K.C. has worked primarily in early education as an SLP, helping young learners build the language and communication skills that underpin everything else. That experience is baked into every book he makes — the decodables, the early readers, the novelty books. All of which test the boundaries of what a picture book can be.
"When I say to a parent, 'read to a child,' I don't want it to sound like medicine. I want it to sound like chocolate."
— Mem Fox
What K.C. Makes
Decodable readers, early readers, picture books, middle grade novels, graphic novels, and novelty play books — with heart, humor, and a healthy respect for how kids actually learn to read.
Why it matters.
Communication (language) is the foundational human skill. Play (work), stories, and joyful early reading experiences are where that skill is built — long before formal instruction begins.
Ideas often come to KC on the trail. He and his family get to the Wyoming mountains as often as they can — and there's something about that altitude, that quiet, that tends to shake loose a good story.
His critique group partners have described his work as “hilarious,” "genius," and "that's a little weird." He considers this a perfect balance.
Awards & recognition
"Mr. Bagley, I would give your chicken book 1,000 stars!"
Yasmeen, 1st grader — working on opinion writing after KC visited her class. The maximum rating was 4 stars.
The Great Bidding War
"I will give you 1 million dollars!" — Juan
"I will give you 2 million dollars!" — Adam
"I will give you 3 million dollars!" — Juan
"Sold!" — Mr. Bagley
2nd graders Juan and Adam started a bidding war for KC's novelty play book dummy There Are Dragons in This Castle after one of his classroom visits. Neither student had a PayPal account, so the transaction was never completed.
The journey so far!
See some of KC’s previous author/illustrator websites.
Question? School visit? Training? Collaboration?
Send a quick hello, and let's create something inspiring together!