Frequently Asked Questions
Shaka Bird Studios — shakabirdstudios.com
📚 About the Books
What is The Human Compass series? The Human Compass is a 10-book children's adventure series following Ari and his colorful companion Shaka Bird as they explore the virtues that guide the heart — love, truth, compassion, courage, justice, humility, gratitude, patience, forgiveness, and wisdom. Each book is a standalone story that also connects to the larger journey of the series.
What age range are the books written for? The books are written for children ages 4–10, making them perfect for bedtime reading, independent reading, and classroom read-alouds. The themes and illustrations resonate with both younger listeners and older independent readers.
Do I need to read the books in order? Each book works beautifully as a standalone story. However, we recommend starting with Book 1 — A Journey of Love — to meet Ari and Shaka Bird from the very beginning and follow their adventure in the order it was intended.
What formats are available? The Human Compass series is available in four formats:
- eBooks — read on any tablet, phone, or computer ($4.99 each)
- Audiobooks — perfect for car rides, bedtime, and listening on the go ($6.99 each)
- Paperbacks — available on Amazon and worldwide retailers
- Hardcovers — available on IngramSpark and worldwide retailers
Who is the author? The Human Compass series is written by Rick W. Gardner, founder of Shaka Bird Studios. Rick created the series to help children discover the timeless virtues that guide their friendships, choices, and courage as they grow.
💻 Digital Products (eBooks & Audiobooks)
How do I access my eBook after purchase? After completing your purchase you will receive an email with a download link. eBooks are delivered as EPUB files — the industry standard eBook format — compatible with most tablets, phones, computers, and e-readers. For the best reading experience we recommend using a free app such as Apple Books, Google Play Books, or Adobe Digital Editions.
How do I listen to my Audiobook after purchase? Your audiobook will be delivered via a download link sent to your email after purchase. The audio files can be played on any smartphone, tablet, or computer.
Can I read the eBook on my Kindle? Kindle devices support EPUB files when sent via the Send to Kindle feature. You can email your EPUB file to your Kindle email address (found in your Amazon account settings) and it will appear in your library. The free Kindle app on iPhone, iPad, and Android also supports EPUB files.
What devices are compatible with the eBooks and Audiobooks? Our digital products work on virtually all devices including iPhone, iPad, Android tablets and phones, Mac, PC, Chromebook, and Kindle Fire.
Can I download my files more than once? Yes. Your download link allows multiple downloads so you never have to worry about losing your files. We recommend saving a copy to your device or cloud storage for easy access anytime.
Do digital products expire? No. Once purchased, your eBooks and audiobooks are yours to keep forever.
🛒 Orders & Payments
What payment methods do you accept? We accept all major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover), PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.
Can I buy individual books or do I have to buy the full series? You can purchase any book individually or save with one of our bundle options. We offer Complete Digital Bundles, Read & Listen Bundles, and Audio & Reflection Bundles — all at a discounted price compared to buying separately.
Is there a discount for buying multiple books? Yes! Our Journey Rewards program lets you save up to 20% as your adventure grows. Check out our Bundles page for the best value options.
Do you offer gift purchases? Absolutely! Our digital products make wonderful gifts. Simply enter the recipient's email address at checkout or forward the download email to them after purchase.
🏫 For Teachers & Educators
Are The Human Compass books suitable for classroom use? Yes! The series was designed with classrooms in mind. Each book explores a core virtue that aligns beautifully with social-emotional learning (SEL) curricula. The stories spark meaningful conversations about kindness, fairness, courage, and empathy — making them ideal for morning meetings, read-alouds, and character education lessons.
Do you offer bulk or classroom pricing? We are currently developing a dedicated educator discount program for bulk purchases. If you are a teacher, school librarian, or administrator interested in ordering multiple copies for your classroom or school, please contact us at the link below and we will work with you personally to find the best pricing available.
Can the audiobooks be used in the classroom? Yes! The audiobooks are a wonderful classroom tool — perfect for listening centers, quiet reading time, and supporting early readers or children with different learning needs.
Are there any teacher guides or activity sheets available? We are working on developing classroom activity guides and printable resources to accompany each book in the series. Sign up for our newsletter to be the first to know when these become available!
📦 Physical Books (Paperbacks & Hardcovers)
Where can I buy the paperback and hardcover editions? Paperbacks and hardcovers are available through IngramSpark and worldwide retailers. Visit our Books page for links to purchase physical copies.
Do you ship physical books directly from your website? At this time physical books are fulfilled through our print partners and worldwide retail channels. Visit our Books page for purchasing options.
🎵 Music & Affirmations
Where can I listen to The Human Compass music? The Human Compass music is available on Spotify and all major streaming platforms. Visit our Music page for listening links.
What are the Sleep Affirmations? Our Sleep Affirmations are calming, guided audio recordings designed to help children wind down at bedtime while reinforcing positive values and a growth mindset. They pair beautifully with the audiobooks as part of a bedtime routine.
📬 Support & Contact
I have a question that isn't answered here. How do I contact you? We'd love to hear from you! Visit our About & Contact page and fill out the contact form. We typically respond within 1–2 business days.
I didn't receive my download email. What should I do? Please check your spam or junk folder first — download emails occasionally get filtered. If you still can't find it, contact us through our Contact page with your order number and we'll resend it promptly.
Every great journey begins with a single step — follow the compass. 🧭