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.
