Jaz Hoy
Author
Jaz Hoy is the creator of Veronica, a Swiss Brown cow who thinks a little differently. Jaz’s love of animals, travel, and curiosity has shaped a character who notices small details and finds clever solutions in everyday moments.
Veronica was inspired by a real-life scientific discovery about a cow in Austria who surprised researchers by using tools. Jaz saw in that story the perfect starting point for a children’s series celebrating problem-solving, patience, and quiet confidence.
Together, Jaz and Veronica invite young readers to slow down, look closely, and discover that being different isn’t a problem — it’s often the solution.
My Story
Jaz Hoy was born in the United Kingdom and grew up surrounded by an impressively large family — the kind that teaches you early on how to listen, laugh, and occasionally talk over one another. Stories were never far away.
She studied at Leeds University, but music also played a starring role in her life. Jaz was a drummer in the band The Wedding Present, where she learned about rhythm, teamwork, and what happens when you hit things enthusiastically at exactly the right moment. These skills, it turns out, are surprisingly useful when writing children’s books.
Jaz has lived in a number of countries, including the United States, the Netherlands, Germany, Cyprus, and now Australia. Moving around the world has given her a unique perspective on people, cultures, and the many different ways problems can be approached — a theme that quietly weaves its way into her stories.
Her love for animals is completely unmatched. Jaz is often heard to say, “Give me ten acres and a thousand animals, and I would live a very happy life.” This may not be practical, but it is very sincere. Animals, their intelligence, and their ability to surprise us have always fascinated her.
Writing children’s books about animals has been a long-held dream. That dream finally found its footing when Jaz read a news story about Veronica the cow in Austria — a cow who astonished scientists by using tools, including brooms, in clever and unexpected ways. Jaz immediately knew she had found her inspiration.
Veronica and the Clever Broom reflects Jaz’s belief that problem-solving isn’t about how smart you are — it’s about curiosity, persistence, and the powerful motivation of an itch that simply must be scratched. Veronica’s story celebrates noticing what others miss, trying new ideas, and thinking just a little bit differently.
This first book is only the beginning. Many more Veronica stories are already lining up, waiting their turn, and Jaz looks forward to releasing new titles in the coming months — preferably with animals, clever ideas, and the occasional broom.