About the Authors

Charles Todd

In 2009, I began my college journey, and the same year, my lifelong adventure with Kayla, who would later become my wife. We grew up across the street from each other, and through those early years, she was always by my side. During college, I detailed cars for extra income and spent my free time at the beach. Kayla often joined me after work just to lend a hand and share the moment.


After earning my degree from Coastal Carolina University and a paralegal certificate, I joined the military. My first time on an airplane was my flight to boot camp. That trip marked the start of six months away from home, followed by moves to California, Washington, and Virginia. While stationed there, our first daughter was born amid six deployments. That experience inspired my decision to attend law school and seek a steadier path. Together with Kayla and our daughters, I now write children’s books that celebrate curiosity, kindness, and family. Our Lucy THE Pup series turns everyday lessons into watercolor adventures.

Kayla Todd

In my twenties, I worked as a caregiver, tending to the needs of the elderly. Around that time, I was in a relationship with a man I had known since we were both about two years old. After four years of dating, we decided to marry. He completed his bachelor’s degree and enlisted in the military, so I left my job and moved with him to California. It was there that we welcomed our first daughter while he was often away on deployments. The challenges of military life led us to seek a more stable path, and we moved back across the country so he could attend law school. During his first year, we adopted an English Cocker Spaniel named Lucy, whose comfort helped our daughter sleep in a new environment. By the second year, the pandemic began. We chose to keep moving forward, welcomed a second daughter, and I found a creative calling in writing children’s books with my husband. Seeing our work in print inspired our girls to make their own little books, and we look forward to sharing many more stories together.

Follow our family’s journey on Facebook at Lucy THE Pup (facebook.com/p/Lucy-the-pup-100065528558094).