I decided to write this series after falling head-over-heels in love with a litter of springer spaniel puppies. It was such a miracle to watch these little darlings develop from the tiniest balls of fur into devilishly cute, active dynamos who wanted to show off everything about who they were becoming. With every day that passed, their personalities blossomed! They were also filling out and becoming irresistible. I was hooked, one hundred percent obsessed!

I realized that stories were brimming in my imagination about them and the troubles they might find themselves in. Puppies are such mischief makers! Just like kids, they have so much to learn. I decided that each of these cuties had a tale to tell, and I couldn't wait to tell it.

 Our little readers will see that the puppies all have unique personalities and journeys. Each puppy finds himself in a scenario  that involves a bit of soul searching. After all, we all need time to contemplate situations before we learn from them. Ultimately, there are lessons to be discovered by both puppy and little readers about values like kindness, respect, patience, and confidence. 

I grew up in the Florida panhandle where long afternoons with family and friends left plenty of time for stories. I loved books as a child, and even after earning my pharmacy degree and raising two sons, children's books stayed close to my heart.

When my sons began their own adult lives, I finally made room to write the stories I had been carrying for years. My love of dogs led to Finn finds Confidence, a story about belonging and seeing the good in ourselves. My experience with type 1 diabetes and diabetic alert dogs inspired Just Juno, a story about a puppy learning to care for the child who needs her.

If a child finishes one of my books feeling more understood, or better able to understand someone else, then I've told the story I hoped to tell.

The other constant in my life has been my true love of dogs. One of my most joyful memories is the day that the boys and I went to Mobile, Alabama to pick up our first springer spaniel. We left the breeder's house with two spotty puppies that day. I came to my senses five seconds later, backed up that driveway, returned the biggest one, and we left for good with our sweet Layla.

Four years and one road trip later, and the Andersons were complete with the addition of our second springer, Bentley. How lucky we were to have two wonderful dogs that filled our home with love.

After I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes as an adult, I met Zoe, my diabetic alert dog. I never imagined a dog could know me so well that she would alert me when my blood sugar was falling dangerously low. I'm deeply grateful to the Swift family at Valentine Kennel for bringing her into my life.

Picture books give children a way into feelings and experiences that can be hard to explain. In Finn Finds Confidence, a puppy learns that being different does not make him less lovable. In Just Juno, a service puppy's journey helps readers get to know Skye, a child living with type 1 diabetes.

My stories begin with puppies, but each one faces a challenge children can recognize. I want readers to enjoy the adventure, care about the characters, and come away with something they can carry into their own lives.