In our last book, “Bash and Lucy Fetch Team Vera and the Dream Beasts,” Vera is the assistant mayor and the coach of the most successful girls’ soccer team in the town. She’s a dog lover and an inspiration to kids.

In our next book, the girl-power grandma and immigrant from Ukraine takes on an even bigger role, lending her smarts, passion and generosity to the town of Woof Woof Nation in inspiring and sometimes funny ways. She lovingly helps reform kids and adults who are struggling. She shines a light on the wonder of dogs. And she helps Bash see the positive side of being super sensitive.

In real life, Vera is always looking to do good, as she does in our books.

Recently our do-good grandma began sewing face masks for healthcare workers and others who are at risk due to COVID-19.

Michael, Ally (the mayor-dancer-librarian in our books) and I have been helping her out, finding materials, doing some sewing and delivering the masks to community members.

Being a part of Team Vera has been extremely rewarding. We delivered our first masks to friends who are nurses. Their response: “Please make more!”

We sent masks to a friend who is working full-time at a nursing home. Her response: “Got my mask. Your kindness made my day. You rock!”

We sent them to friends who had no way to buy masks or make them. Their response: “Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

We’re very proud to be part of Team Vera’s goodness. We’re also excited about giving her an even bigger role in our fourth book.

Stay tuned! And be sure to watch Michael dedicate our last book to Vera, his surrogate grandma: