Brenda grew up writing stories before she even knew how to spell.
At four, she invented her own alphabet and couldn’t understand why her parents wouldn’t read her “books.” In that moment, she decided she would grow up to be a writer.

Of her many interests, she found joy in theater, first on stage playing eccentric old women and stern German matrons, and later backstage, where she fell in love with the magic of lighting design and stage management. At the same time, she studied computer science, following her father’s advice to build a solid career. Both paths became part of her, and both sides, the creative and the technical, are still with her today.

For years, humor was her lens on life. Friends joked she should try stand-up comedy, because she could always find the ridiculous in any situation. Much of her early writing sparkled with that zany, offbeat perspective.

Over time, though, seasons of loss and challenge added new layers to her voice. Although Brenda still notices the absurd and laughs at it heartily, she began paying closer attention to the tender, fragile places of being human. And it’s from this mix of laughter and reflection that she writes her Little Dog stories.

These gentle books help children (and the grown-ups who love them) navigate grief, loss, and healing with honesty, warmth, and hope. Brenda believes stories can comfort as much as they can entertain, and that sometimes the most healing words we can offer are simply: “You can sit with me.”

When she isn’t writing, Brenda is outnumbered by her five dogs: three Australian Shepherds (Liza, Cookie and Macy), one Beagle (Mr. Beaglesworth), and a feisty Yorkie named Gunny who can’t decide if he would rather nap on Brenda’s lap or play tug-and-pull with Mr. Beaglesworth’s tail.