Wendy Jo Bradshaw, more aptly described by her pen name Wild West Wendy Jo, is a feisty, red-headed, cowboy-boot wearing tomboy, who only experienced ONE boring day in her life. On that humdrum day, at twelve years old, she decided to NEVER be bored again!

As the oldest of four children, moving to many new schools throughout the West, Wendy Jo was the “New Kid”, more times than she could count. Being an outsider trying to fit in, she was considered a misfit, by most of her classmates. As such, she quickly learned that she was a prime target of the schoolyard bullies. Wendy Jo was never one to run. Instead, she stood up to bullies, and even defended other kids from anyone who tried to steal their power. Those events, forever influenced her thoughts and dreams, and set in motion the idea to help kids find the power of their voice, and to feel powerful and good about themselves in spite of intimidation from anyone.

When not at school, Wendy Jo loved singing, playing the piano, spending time with her dog, and exploring. She spent much of her time organizing treasure hunting expeditions with her brothers and the other neighborhood renegades. She learned not only about the rewards of treasure hunting, but the perils, pitfalls, and the perseverance required in searching for treasures of all kinds.

Today, Wendy Jo still loves adventure and treasure hunting, and now teaches it to her children, grandchildren, and in schools to other people’s kids! After surviving Stage III Melanoma cancer, she especially appreciates the hunt for treasures from the treasure chest of life (TCL), which are far more valuable than gold. Through that journey, she learned that the power of choice was one of the valuable treasures that helped save her life. Wendy continues to enjoy gold panning, metal detecting, fishing, and exploring ghost towns and historic ruins. Her dreams of helping children have become a reality. Wendy Jo uses her gifts of writing, singing and exploring to do what she loves most; creating empowering books, music, the Vippi Mouse Kid’s show, and doing school presentations through her Vippi Mouse program. Wendy Jo’s motto is: Helping Kids See, They Are a Treasured VIP. Oh, and since she was 12 years old, she’s never been bored ONCE!