Chief of Wacky Ideas
Joey Walter Barnard
Children’s book author and illustrator Joey Barnard is the storyteller and creative mind behind the From the Cows series of delightful farm-animal stories and captivating cow characters.
Joey creates 40-page children’s picture books that use humor, memorable characters, and simple life lessons to encourage children—and the adults reading along with them—to focus on what truly matters.
When he’s not dreaming up new cow adventures, Joey is a CPA, enthusiastic traveler, baseball fan, and former United States Marine.
From Joey: I’ve always been a storyteller. After years of enjoying great stories as a reader, I decided to become a writer and bring some of my own stories to life. I enjoy exploring different genres, from children’s books to science fiction and crime noir. I’m still learning, still writing, and always looking for ways to make the next story better. I welcome comments and feedback from readers, especially about my Joey Barnard books and the From the Cows series.
Chief Encouragement Officer, Editor, and Scheduler
Christine M. Ruch
Behind every wacky idea is someone willing to listen, ask the right questions, and occasionally say, “What if you tried it this way?” As Chief Encouragement Officer, Editor & Scheduler, she helps Joey turn rough ideas into stories, serves as the series’ proofreader, and has a knack for drawing out ideas that might otherwise stay in the notebook.
A professional bookkeeper by career, she brings a practical eye for detail and organization to everything she does. She is also an avid traveler and a former United States Marine Corps officer, with a lifetime of experiences that provide plenty of stories—and plenty of encouragement for the next one.