Nola Buck (the pen name of Laura Godwin) is the author of many well-loved children's books, including Christmas in the Manger . With Ann M. Martin she also coauthored The Doll People , The Runaway Dolls , and The Meanest Doll in the World . She now lives in New York City but grew up in Alberta, Canada, and has fond Christmas Eve memories of watching Eeyore, the family donkey, play a part in the live Christmas pageant in her hometown.