Jody Jensen Shaffer (MA, Truman State University) is a children's author and presenter. Jody is the author of Creep, Leap, Crunch! A Food Chain Story (2026 Bill Martin Jr. Picture Book Award nominee, 2024 NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Book, 2024 Crystal Kite Winner), The Last Day Julian Was My Best Friend (2025 Crystal Kite Award winner), Prudence the Part-Time Cow (National Book Festival pick), A Chip Off the Old Block (Amazon Teachers' Pick), It's Your First Day of School, Busy Bus! (Amazon bestseller), and more. She and her husband, Tom, have two grown children and live near Kansas City, Missouri.