JR Buchta, a.k.a. Pops to Mack, Coop, and Leo, was born and raised in Philadelphia PA.
As a youngster, he expressed an interest in music and spent most of his early life in the performing arts as a singer-songwriter.
After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania, he entered the business world and made a career in marketing for various entrepreneurial ventures. Today, he resides in Bucks County PA with his wife.
His interest in writing took a turn towards children's books when his grandchildren were born and he recognized the power of their imaginations and their enjoyment of reading. He is the author of the award-winning book The Wonderful Once: A Christmas Story, Pop-Pop Says Yes To Almost Anything, and Pop-Pop Smells Funny But We Love Him Anyway.