Beth Stern has always led with her heart. The New York Times best-selling author—and wife of radio legend Howard Stern—has spent decades giving animals a second chance, first as a volunteer at local shelters and now as a longtime spokesperson for North Shore Animal League America, the largest no-kill rescue and adoption organization in the world. When she chatted with us from her Florida home, she was quick to remind us: “It’s just who I am at this point.”

Now, she’s channeling that lifelong devotion into her sweetest project yet: Coco and Stephen, Together Forever, a children’s book inspired by the unlikely friendship between a special-needs cat and a rabbit that blossomed in her own foster room, with all of her author proceeds benefiting North Shore Animal League America..

And the giving doesn’t stop there. Stern recently teamed up with her friend Jill Martin on a charming clothing line for humans and pets alike, with 100 percent of her profits going toward saving animal lives. As warmer weather approaches, she’s also gearing up for what she calls “kitten season”—opening her home to pregnant mamas and newborns, complete with dedicated birthing suites. “It’s a magical time,” she says.

Ahead, Stern opens up about her new book, her lifelong work in animal rescue and what life looks like during kitten season.

I’d love to hear how you got pen to paper for this book. I believe it’s your fourth one, right?

“It is my fourth book—it’s my third children’s book. My first book was Oh My Dog, about how to pick, nurture and train your new furry friend. That was just for dogs. Then I went into children’s, and I’m loving it. I love that I’m able to share the magic that happens in my foster room and get the conversation started with kids about rescuing and fostering, not buying from a pet store and taking care of animals in general.”

What’s the hardest part of sitting down to write and getting it all out there? I know the ideas are there, but how do you go about it from start to finish?

“This time, it was very easy. I never thought I wanted to write a children’s book—I don’t have any extra time. I’ve spent my whole life fostering and caring for animals, and when I wrote my first children’s book, there was magic happening in my foster room. There was a purpose—love and purpose heal your soul.

It was based on this cat, Yoda, and I really wanted to share that with the world. When I met with the publisher, they said, ‘Let’s do this as a children’s book and figure out how to tell the story.’ It was easy because it was a play-by-play of what happened in my foster room. Of course, I had help—I’d never written a children’s book before, and there are things you have to learn, like pacing and how children read differently than adults.

Once we went through the process with the first one, the second was easy because it followed the same characters. Then years went by—I was approached to do a third and said, ‘I don’t have the time.’

That changed when I rescued Coco Melon, Coco and Stephen the rabbit. Their story was the easiest to outline, and it just flowed. I’m so excited to share these new characters—they’re in the room next to me right now, playing together.”

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How did you decide who the right illustrator was for this book? How does that work with the whole creative process once you do write it?

“Once I decided on Penguin Random House, the publishers assisted every step of the way. They share the illustrators they’ve worked with in the past, or an illustrator they think would be a good match for the personalities. We worked very closely together. They knew the characters as well as I did at that point. They basically said: ‘Let’s take a look at these people.’ There were maybe 10 of them. Then, I narrowed it down to a couple, and we had each of them draw a sample of Coco Melon and Stephen. As soon as we saw Joni, we knew right away that she was the one who captured the essence of both of them.”

You have pretty much devoted your life to animals. Did you grow up like this?

“It’s definitely in my blood, because when I was born, my parents had a rescue, a big collie mix rescue that was their firstborn, Susie Dog. We always rescued our animals growing up, whether it was the neighbor who didn’t want their guinea pig anymore, a cat thrown outside by a family they didn’t want or the local shelters all knew us. Yes, we’ve been animal lovers and have rescued since I was born.

Then, it just carried on, and I started volunteering in my adult life because it was so near and dear to me. When I was working in New York City, I couldn’t have one of my own because of my travel schedule, and I was modeling all over the world. When I had time, and I was home, I would volunteer at the local shelters. That’s where I met and learned all about the mission of North Shore Animal League America, and started working closely with them and volunteering there regularly until I decided to start fostering.

In my foster program, we work directly with North Shore Animal League America, which is the largest no-kill rescue organization in the world. They’re incredible, and I love being affiliated with them, and I love that my foster program is, too. That’s just how it is. I’m now 53 years old, going on 54, and I’ve been doing this for such a long time. It’s just who I am at this point.”

Part of your life also involves travel, red carpets, premieres, all that good stuff. Are there any beauty things that you really love—the things that make you feel your best?

“Oh my gosh. I guess a good night’s sleep is always key. I’m really not one who’s into skin care. I wish I had time to know all the latest and greatest lasers and creams. My family, I’ve just been very fortunate. I have very good genes when it comes to skin care, and I just use Dove soap and wash my face before I go to bed.

I eat terribly—sugar, carbs, pizza, donuts, cereal, gummy bears. I eat like a 12-year-old kid! I wish I had spent more time taking care of myself—maybe I’ll regret it soon since I’m already in my 50s. Really, I don’t spend much time on that because I’m so busy with my animals.”

Well, it sounds like we have a similar diet!

“Maybe we have the secret! Maybe this can be my next book!”

I’ll be your editor. My last question: What are you excited about as we get into May, besides the launch of the book?

“Well, preparing myself is a better word as we get ready for kitten season. Once the weather turns warm, cats’ heat cycles escalate—that’s what we call kitten season. So many cats who aren’t spayed or who are outdoors get pregnant. I open my home to as many as I can. I’m really good with the pregnant mamas—I have little birthing suites throughout my house and can assist in the labor.

It’s a magical time—I’m able to help these kittens find their forever homes once we find the perfect match for them.”

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