Elasky, Kathy S.: - I am a retired teacher/counselor from Southeast Ohio. I live on a small farm with my husband, two dogs, several squirrels and the occasional raccoon or possum. We used to have many other animals, including horses and goats, but we have downsized in the past few years. I love my family, church activities, nature, reading, crafting of all sorts and, of course, writing.The first book I remember writing was "The Mystery of Sandy Beach." I was in the 4th grade! I don't recall much about the story. The main character was based on a boy I had a huge crush on. I also remember his sister and him digging for clues in the sand. I have no idea is I ever finished the book or where it has gone. It would be fun to find it though.Ever since then I have been writing, at some times more than others. Much of what I write is about my family. Mine is a family of pack rats so there are many letters, journals, diaries, etc. from way back. One of my favorites is my great, great, great grandfather's journal of his trip back to England. He went on canal boats, steamers, and a sailing ship. We have even retraced his journey part of the way. We were in a car but we saw some of the same sites he saw. My hope is that some day my great, great, great grandchildren will find my writing as interesting as I found Grandfather Stone's.I have wanted to write children's books since my now grown up children were little. I did some writing then but being a teacher with 3 kids left little time to do anything serious. Laura Ingalls Wilder, author of the Little House Series is my idol. She didn't start publishing until she was 65. I knew I still had time.Once I retired, I started writing stories for my grandchildren. Pudgy first appeared in a book I hand-made for them. Now Pudgy appears in two picture books, a coloring/puzzle book and a journal. Picture book number 3 is about to launch. And I have already started on Pudgy #4. I hope Pudgy and his friends bring joy to children for years to come.