Jody Jensen Shaffer is the author of board books, early readers, and picture books, including Creep, Leap, Crunch! A Food Chain Story (2026 Bill Martin Jr. Picture Book Award finalist, 2024 NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Book, 2024 Crystal Kite winner), The Last Day Julian was My Best Friend (2025 Crystal Kite winner), Porcupine Had a Fuzzy Sweater (2026-2027 finalist Missouri Show Me Award), Disco Dave, EMERGENCY KITTENS, It’s Your First Day of School, Busy Bus!, Prudence the Part-Time Cow (National Book Festival),and more. Jody regularly visits schools, libraries, and conferences to share her love of books and writing. She earned undergraduate and master’s degrees in English at William Jewell College and Truman State University, where she also taught Freshman Composition.
Jody lives int he Kansas City, Missouri area and loves spending time with family, being outdoors, watching sports, and managing her family’s historic farm in Nebraska, where she holds writing retreats for children’s creators. You can find her at jodyjensenshaffer.com.
Jody is proudly represented by Carter Hasegawa (carter@tugeau2.com).