Steffens, Debra: - Debra was raised on a farm and ranch in the West Texas Panhandle. She got her first horse at age 5. She also raised calves and pigs for stock shows and sales. She was always happiest when she was outside with her animals. During her growing up years she learned to care for and love her animals. As a child she was taught to respect others and to treat them the way she would want to be treated. She found that kindness and caring are two of the most important values to make a difference in others lives. She also learned responsibility by taking care of her many animals and doing her chores around the farm. Whether the kindness is in the form of a rescue kitten or a person, kindness matters. Debra taught in the elementary grades, mostly 3rd grade, where was always in search of books that valued and taught positive traits for her students to read. Debra retired from teaching in 2016. Debra had always wanted to write books and children's books seemed like a perfect fit. When she retired, she had the time to devote to her writing. Debra met and married her husband in 1987 and they moved back out to the farmhouse where she grew up. She is still filling it with lots of animal friends.