Hi! I’m Melissa Haney, the person behind Best Buds.

When my daughter was ten, we struggled to find books she actually wanted to read. There weren’t many that talked about puberty in a fun, honest, and easy-to-read way. She had so many questions about bras, boys, and all the changes that come with growing up—and that’s exactly what she wanted to read about!

Most of the books we found were either boring, too scientific, or so cheesy we both rolled our eyes. That’s when it hit me: I could write our story. It had always been my dream to write and illustrate a book, and this was it! Once the idea struck, the first draft (6,500 words and 120 pages) took me two days of non stop scribbling. Four years and countless drafts later, Best Buds was ready to share with the world.

Best Buds is inspired by real events from my childhood, my daughter’s experiences, and her friends. It talks about growing up in a way that feels real—but still keeps the story fun, full of laughs, and relatable for every reader. My goal is to help kids know they’re not alone and that everything they’re feeling is totally normal. The struggles are real, but the best way to get through them is by leaning on friends, family, and finding the humor in it all.

I was born and raised in Kamloops, studied at Emily Carr Institute in Vancouver, and now live in Castlegar, BC. These days I juggle life as a mom, wife, art teacher, and seasonal formal wear seamstress (yes, I can draw comics and hem a prom dress!). Life at home is full of inspiration (and chaos!) thanks to two kids, two dogs, three cats, and a couple of busy fish tanks.

Creativity is my happy place—whether I’m sketching, sewing, building, or dreaming up new stories. Publishing this book has been a lifelong dream, and I’m so excited to finally share it with you.