Kathy S Elasky

Kathy S. Elasky is a retired teacher/counselor from Southeast Ohio. She lives on a small farm with my husband, two dogs, several squirrels and the occasional raccoon or possum. They used to have many other animals, including horses and goats, but they have downsized in the past few years. Love of family, church activities, nature, reading, crafting of all sorts and, of course, writing keep Kathy busy.

The first book Kathy remembers writing was “The Mystery of Sandy Beach.” Kathy was in the 4th grade! She doesn’t recall much about the story. The main character was based on a boy Kathy had a huge crush on. She also remembers the two main characters digging for clues in the sand. There is no trace of this book. What a surprise it would be if Kathy came across it after all these years.

Since that beginning Kathy has continued writing, at some times more than others. Much of what she writes is about her family. Due to living in a family of pack rats, there are many letters, journals, diaries, etc. from years ago. One of Kathy's favorites is the journal her great, great, great grandfather wrote of his trip back to England. He went on canal boats, steamers, and a sailing ship. Kathy and her family have retraced his journey part of the way. They were in a car but still saw some of the same sites he saw. Kathy hopes that some day her great, great, great grandchildren will find her writing as interesting as she found her Great Great Grandfather Stone’s.

Kathy has wanted to write children’s books since her now grown children were little. She did some writing then but being a full time teacher with 3 kids left little time to do anything serious. Laura Ingals Wilder, author of the Little House on the Prairie Series, is Kathy's idol. Laura didn't start publishing until she was 65. Kathy knew she still had time.

Once retired, Kathy started writing stories for her grandchildren. Pudgy first appeared in a book she hand-made for them. Now Pudgy appears in three picture books, a coloring/puzzle book and a journal. Picture book number 4 is in the works!