Brenda Palardis Ferrandes was born in Tampa, Florida, and

spent most of her adult life in the banking industry. She retired

from banking in 1991. It has always been a desire of hers to write a

book. One day her son, Ron Borders, Jr., gave her a challenge. Mom,

write a children's book. So, she took it on.

As she sat thinking what she would write about, she recalled

her daily outing in the afternoons where she would sit outside of

her home and let her twins, Joey and Sophie (then 15 months old)

play. As she sat there watching the children, the squirrels would go

crazy chasing each other up and down the trees and jumping from

limb to limb. It was amusing to watch.

As she remembered the fun the squirrels were having, it

occurred to her to write about two little squirrels running and

playing in the trees. And, as they jumped from limb to limb, she

would have each limb bear a number. Thus, "Counting to Ten with

Joey and Sophie" was born. The personalities of the squirrels are

those of her twins. If it hadn't been for the challenge from her son,

Brenda may not have taken the leap of faith to write this book for

children to enjoy.