Kerry Anna (Bassett) Stenke grew up in Ithaca, NY. She now lives in Raleigh, NC with her husband and two editors (Klaus Dashiell, 7, and Wilhelmina Kate, 4).

She has been a graphic designer forever, but has wanted to write--and publish--a book since she was seven years old (even longer than forever).

Henry Bonk Doodle was created on a Saturday when she was trying to think of something to do with her kids. She ended up working on it outside in a plastic rocking chair and finished the first draft several weeks afterward. Henry must have been living in her head somewhere, because he jumped right out and onto the page. He may have some other life lessons to learn in 2017!

15 Letters to Santa is a book that teaches that giving is (almost?) as good as getting.

There are many legitimate organizations who accept donations for kids and families who are having a hard time. If you'd like to donate toys (new and unwrapped) or money, you can start with one of these:

• In the Ithaca, NY area, Cops, Kids and Toys: http://www.copskidsandtoys.org/Donate.html
• In the Raleigh, NC area, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Triangle: http://bbbstriangle.org or shop at Uptown Thrift, one of my favorite thrift stores, at 4025 Wake Forest Road, Raleigh, NC 27609; they give a portion of each purchase to Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Triangle
• Toys for Tots: http://toysfortots.org/donate