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.