Judy Combs is a retired teacher who received her Master’s Degree in Elementary Teaching with Reading Specialization from the University of Missouri.

This is her first book. Her passion in life has been being a mentor for others of all ages to develop their creative potential, believe in themselves, and become life-long learners.

Judy has received numerous awards in education and for her volunteer work in historic preservation and community revitalization. Her most cherished award is Iowa History Day Teacher of the Year because she was nominated by her students.

Judy lives with her husband in southern Iowa where they are actively involved in restoration of the natural environment. On their land, they have planted thousands of trees, re-established prairie grasses, built habitat, and restored two pioneer log cabins, all of which they share with others.

This book is dedicated to my son, Jeffery Combs, the creative little boy who built the birdhouse and grew up to be a creative adult. Like the wrens in the story, he has never been afraid to be different or persistent in achieving a goal.

About the Illustrator
Deb Baughman was raised on an Iowa farm and has always loved Midwestern scenes. She received her Master’s Degree in Art Education at Northeast Missouri State University.

Deb has been an elementary and middle school art teacher in southern Iowa for many years and is a painter in watercolor and oils.

Deb has won many awards at Iowa Art Festivals, and recently was featured in a solo exhibit at Indian Hills Community College. She lives in southern Iowa with her husband Mike and continues to teach art.