Marty Rhodes Figley is the author of numerous books for young readers including The Schoolchildren’s Blizzard and Emily and Carlo. A grandmother of five, the idea for Santa’s Underwear came about when one of her grandchildren asked her, “Does Santa wear underpants?” The question resulted in much laughter, and Marty knew that was a question she had to answer. She now lives with her husband, Paul, and their Airedale terrier, Scarlett, in Annandale, Virginia, a suburb of Washington, D.C.