Western author and historian J.R. Sanders is a native of Newton, Kansas - one of the original "wild and wooly" cowtowns - whose deep interest in Old West history dates back to childhood visits with his family to the Dalton Gang hideout, Abilene, and Dodge City. He currently lives in Southern California with his wife, Rose, and dogs, Faro and Monte.

A frequent contributor to Wild West magazine, J.R. is a member of the Western Writers of America and the Society of Children's book Writers and Illustrators. The Littlest Wrangler is his first children's book.