First-time author Kim Cooley Reeder thinks in stories. Most of her ideas come late at night when she should be sleeping, while driving across Oregon on long road trips and from things her children say. This particular story was created when her son asked for a bedtime story about a tomato. Kim has lots of experience with tomatoes, although she refused to eat them until her early twenties. The largest not-for-profit garden in her hometown (she's pretty sure this is accurate) was just past her backyard and owned by her parents. Kim and her siblings were conscripted to weed every morning before the sun came up. Maybe if she had paid more attention her current tomato-growing efforts would be more fruitful. Good thing she sells books and not tomatoes.