"As far back as I can remember, I've been creating things with words," says Suzanne Perdew, "--stories, poems, skits, plays and more. It's one of the ways I entertained myself while growing up in a small town on the Oregon coast."

In high school, Suzanne edited the newspaper, later attended Walla Walla College, and eventually graduated from Cal State Fullerton with a degree in Communications.

Suzanne's career path has been varied but has usually included some aspect of creativity and writing. The path has included developing a new magazine for a dental manufacturer, writing ad copy for a variety of products, serving as assistant editor of Guide magazine, and being the managing editor of Kids' Stuff. More recently, she's written and produced several Children Worship Festivals, Christmas programs, and short skits. She's been published in Message, Insight, Children's Ministry, Group, Primary Treasure, Cornerstone Connections and others.

The last twelve years Suzanne's main focus has been as "Mom" to her two children, Becky, 12, and Grant 9. Her family enjoys hiking, spending time at the beach, and sharing their log home with others.

"In most that I have written and created, it has been my goal, to make Jesus more real to both kids and parents, and to come up with new ways of presenting old ideas or stories. And I always like to encourage people, of all ages, to use their imaginations and let their creative juices flow!"

Commenting on how mother and son came to write a book together, Suzanne says, "Grant was already a fan of The Shoebox Kids books. After reading several of the books and noticing that they were written by different authors, I came up with the idea of the two of us collaborating on a book of the series. As Grant is homeschooled, it was a great learning opportunity for both of us.

"Grant helped determine what characters to use and what the theme would be. We worked together brainstorming different situations and ideas to include. We were both thrilled when our idea was accepted and we were on our way to having a book published!"

Grant Perdew was born in Washington State on January 21, 1992 to Suzanne and Frank, proud parents! But he has lived most of his life in Eugene, Oregon. Grant enjoys drawing, writing, eating, sledding, playing, watching movies, going on the computer, typing on his typewriter, going to the Mall, listening to tapes, reading, tennis, hiking, and um . . . ah! Being alive!

His favorite food is bean burritos! His favorite videos are Ben Hur, Star Wars Episode I, and Larry Boy and the Rumor Weed! His favorite color is blue, and his favorite thing to draw is Veggie Tales and 3-2-1 Penguins!