About the Authors

Richard P. Gleason

The late children’s book author Richard P. Gleason was on a spiritual journey for most of his life, studying philosophy, backpacking around the world, traveling to India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. This had a great influence on his writing and, particularly, his children’s literary middle-grade fiction fairy tale novel, Sprout, about a young boy’s search for the meaning of life.

A student of eastern philosophy and religion, Richard had a passion for adventure and learning, much like his book’s character. He majored in those concepts at American University where he continued his quest for the meaning of life. Having met the storied American novelist, James Michener, at his parents’ restaurant, Richard became inspired by the author’s style of writing and genre.

Richard attended the Hill School in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, where he first thought about a future as a writer. Sprout was originally published by Winston-Derek Publishers in 1987 to respected literary recognition. Having made his home in Pennsylvania with his wife and two daughters, it was Richard’s hope that his intellectual and compassionate children’s novel would kindle the fire of knowledge within the minds of his young readers. His book was also used as a teaching tool to encourage philosophical thinking in the classroom.

After his untimely death and thirty-five years since its original publication, Richard’s family wished to revise and reissue a relaunch of Sprout as a celebration of a clever and witty-minded author, a loving and caring father, and a wise and inspiring uncle.

Karen Norheim

Karen grew up with Sprout as both a childhood treasure and a family legacy. At ten years old, she first read the tale her uncle Richard Gleason had written, never imagining that one day she would help bring it back to life. That early spark of imagination carried forward into a life of leadership, storytelling, and a deep belief in cultivating both people and ideas.

Today, Karen is CEO of American Crane & Equipment Corporation, the second generation to lead her family’s company alongside her sister, Stephanie Delibertis. Together, they have guided American Crane into its next chapter, carrying forward their father’s vision while shaping a culture rooted in the spirit of “Always Lift, Never Quit.”

Beyond her work at American Crane, Karen has contributed to the manufacturing industry through leadership roles with organizations such as the Crane Manufacturers Association of America and Women in Manufacturing, where she helped open doors for others to grow and succeed. She has been recognized for her contributions to the industry and company culture with awards including the Thomasnet Industry Champion Award, the STEP Ahead Award, and the Vistage Leadership Award. A passionate advocate for STEM and for women in industry, Karen believes in the ripple effect of role models and strives to inspire the next generation of leaders.

Yet her proudest role remains that of steward—of her family’s business, of the people she leads, and of her uncle’s timeless story. Co-authoring this edition of Sprout allows her to plant new seeds, weaving her own journey of perseverance and imagination into Richard’s world of adventure and truth.

For more information on Karen and
her work at American Crane, please visit www.americancrane.com or www.karennorheim.com

  • The Backstory

    In 2009, we lost my uncle to the throes of mental illness. Were he still alive, I am sure many more Sprout books would have come to life and I could have asked him questions about how he developed this delightful story.

  • My uncle left behind two beautiful and amazing daughters, my cousins Alyssa & Brigitte, as well as my good friend and aunt, Mette. I reached out and asked how they would feel if we published his book again together. This was the spark that lit our collective fire to share Richard’s story and his book again with the world.

     

    Together, we embarked on our own family adventure, soliciting my mother Colleen’s (Richard’s sister), my sister Stephanie’s (Richard’s niece), and my uncle close friend Rob’s advice and help, as well as recruited my talented and artistic niece, Taylor, to work on illustrations.

     

    This book is a celebration of a clever and witty minded author, a loving and caring father, and a wise and inspiring uncle. I can imagine him sitting in his chair puffing on a pipe, thinking of us and our efforts, saying “COOL BEANS! , well done, well done!”

     

    Xxoo,
    Karen Norheim, Richard’s Niece

Contributors to This Project

  • Mette Gleason

    METTE GLEASON

    Widow of Richard, critic, and supporter of the efforts

  • ALYSSA SOLLENBERGER daughter of Richard Gleason

    ALYSSA SOLLENBERGER

    Daughter of Richard, critic, and supporter of the efforts

  • Brigitte Gleason Daughter of Richard, critic,and supporter of the efforts

    BRIGITTE GLEASON

    Daughter of Richard, critic,and supporter of the efforts

  • Robin Santangelo Close friend of Richard, critic, and supporter of the efforts

    ROBIN SANTANGELO

    Close friend of Richard, critic, and supporter of the efforts
  • COLLEEN NORHEIM Sister of Richard, critic, and supporter of the efforts

    COLLEEN NORHEIM

    Sister of Richard, critic, and supporter of the efforts

  • Stephanie Norheim Niece of Richard, critic, and supporter of the efforts

    STEPHANIE DELIBERTIS

    Niece of Richard, critic, and supporter of the efforts

  • Taylor_Suzenski Niece-once-removed of Richard, Stephanie’s daughter, critic, and illustrator this edition

    TAYLOR SUZENSKI

    Niece-once-removed of Richard, Stephanie’s daughter, critic, and illustrator this edition

  • KAREN NORHEIM

    Niece of Richard, critic, and initiator of the project