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By Dr. Nancy Berk

(Veteran humor writer Donna Cavanagh has built a career helping writers find their voice and audience. Now the author and publisher has added another page to her resumé — children’s book author. In this Q & A with humor columnist and podcast host, Dr. Nancy Berk, Donna, a grandmother of two, discusses Ramo to the Rescue (Shorehouse Books) and why creating a beach read for kids was really a family affair.)

You're a humor writer and publisher. What inspired you to shift genres and write the children's book Ramo to the Rescue?

It was a chance meeting in a restaurant on Long Beach Island, New Jersey. My family was on vacation and Ramo happened to be the server at that restaurant. He was wonderful with my then two-year-old grandson, and we remembered his name as it was so unusual. The next day, on the beach, there was a report that a plane went down in the ocean and the entire rescue squad with jet skis, boats, etc. rushed from the beach into the water to conduct a search and rescue. My family and I recognized the lead guard of the rescue — it was Ramo! I thought to myself that this would make a great story — Ramo to the Rescue — popped into my head.

You could have tackled topics like puppies and grandparent visits. Why the focus on beach rescue?

The beach, especially Long Beach Island, is special to my family. We always vacationed there. Now, the tradition continues and we spend time there with my grandchildren, too. I read a lot of children's books and many focus on the police, firefighters, etc, and that is wonderful, but I had not seen a book about lifeguards. Their job is difficult and I think they deserve recognition.

Has grandparenting influenced your creativity in different ways?

Oh yes, I never thought I would drift from humor — especially humor that covers many adult topics — to other genres, but those two little guys make me want to find a way to make them laugh or to create a story that inspires them in some way or helps them discover lessons for everyday life.

What do you hope families will take away from Ramo to the Rescue?

I hope they realize that as fun as the beach is, it can be dangerous, and the lifeguards and rescue teams guard the beaches each day to keep everyone safe. I think people look at lifeguards in a romantic and lighthearted way, but many do not give these heroes enough credit. 

The most important question — What are the experts (your grandchildren) saying about the book?

My three-year-old grandson, Owen, who is a main character along with Ramo in this story, is happy that my illustrator Hannah Farr drew him so well and that his momma, daddy and baby brother are in the book too. He loves the idea that he can be a lifeguard. He is at an age where he appreciates stories. Ben, who is eight months old, just tries to eat the pages, so I will take that as a compliment. 

— Dr. Nancy Berk

Writer, lyricist and clinical psychologist Nancy Berk is a freelance comedy writer for internationally awarded entertainers, focusing on national tours and prime time appearances. She is a Golden Quill Award-winning magazine humor columnist, author and podcaster. She is host and co-producer of the podcast Entertaining Insights with Dr. Nancy Berk that has featured more than 500 conversations with entertainment icons like Norman Lear, Rita Moreno, Smokey Robinson and Dolly Parton. Her book College Bound and Gagged landed in the film Admissions starring Tina Fey and Paul Rudd. Nancy is a freelance contributor to Forbes.com Hollywood & Entertainment and Parade.com. Her work can be seen in Sisters! Bonded by Love and Laughter, a humor book published by the Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop.