Vera Ahiyya was born in Germany and raised in El Paso, TX. Originally a pre-med student, Vera realized her calling as an educator at Austin College in Sherman, TX, where she majored in History and Psychology and earned her MA in Education. Vera has taught Kindergarten and first grade for the last 15 years and has an online presence dedicated to influencing other educators by spreading her vast knowledge and love of diverse children’s books. Vera lives in Brooklyn with her husband Lonnell and her dog, Mozi.