Can you tell us a bit about your inspiration for this book and how it came to be?

Moon Cat is a collaborative creation with my dear friend and illustrator, Amanda. As a mom, I deeply want children to grow into the happiest, healthiest version of themselves. I believe that begins with learning how to slow down, be present, and connect with their own hearts. Moon Cat was born from that desire. We wanted more than instructional mindfulness guide for kids, we envisioned a guided mediation written as a story, with a wise grandfather bridging the real and the mystical. In my healing practice, I’ve created guided meditations to calm stress, shift behavior, and even plant new, empowering beliefs. This story is our way to give that gift to children in a magical, memorable way. In this way, it also allows parents to unwind, bond, and feel supported too.

Mindfulness is something that can help all of us, and not just to get a good night’s sleep! How do you think the book’s message will help a child that may suffer from things like anxiety or stress?

The message of Moon Cat reminds children they are supported from within themselves, by guides, by nature, and by the magic of their own imagination. That sense of connection is deeply soothing. The book becomes a shared tool for parents and children to visualize the life they desire, not through instruction, but through the feeling and adventure of a guided story.

Aside from reading the book and meditating on the message of Moon Cat, can you share some simple everyday relaxation methods for children and their caretakers?

Laughter is medicine. Playing and sharing joyful stories of your own childhood deepens connection with your kids and shows them what safe, calm emotional expression looks like. Storytelling can also offer gentle lessons, helping children imagine themselves feeling confident and capable. Visualization is another tool, together you can picture who you’d like to be or how to handle different challenges with ease. This is a form of co-regulation, where your calm presence helps their nervous system relax and feel secure. Simple practices like taking slow breaths together, connecting to nature, stretching, moving, or even dancing can also release tension and bring you both back into balance.

Grandparents' Day is coming up on September 7th, and your book has such wonderful cross-generational representation in Pawpaw. Can you share your inspiration for that character?

Pawpaw is a tribute to the wisdom, love, and steady presence that grandparents can bring into a child’s life. It felt powerful to make a grandfather a balanced masculine energy for Moon Cat, a comforting guide who embodies care and connection. My hope is that Pawpaw encourages children to ask their own grandparents about their stories, sparking conversations and deepening bonds across generations. He’s inspired by my own Pawpaw Shorty.