Mom’s Choice Awards is excited to announce another post in our interview series where we chat with the inventors, designers, publishers, and others behind some of our favorite family-friendly products.

Hello, Mom’s Choice readers! Thanks for joining us for another segment of our interview series. For this interview, we were delighted to speak with Miranda Mittleman, author of the MCA award-winning book, PAWS and THINK! Be A Good Sport. This will be Miranda’s third interview with MCA, as PAWS and THINK! Be A Good Sport is the fourth book in the PAWS and THINK! Series to win a Mom’s Choice Award! In PAWS and THINK! Be A Good Sport, the main character Weaver digs up a lesson on good sportsmanship. Keep reading to learn more about Miranda Mittleman and her award-winning story!

MCA: Hello, Miranda! Congratulations on winning yet another Mom’s Choice Award and on your third interview with MCA! Developing good sportsmanship is so important for children to learn as it teaches them more than just how to behave politely during and after a game. Sportsmanship influences how kids interact on and off the field while teaching them lifelong lessons. PAWS and THINK! Be A Good Sport is a great book that addresses all the benefits that come along with practicing good sportsmanship. With so many great lessons shared throughout this book, you must have had quite some experience with sportsmanship yourself. Can we start the interview by having you tell us about yourself?

Miranda with her dog and star of the PAWS and THINK! Series, Weaver

Miranda: My background is in marketing but I never dreamed that I’d be marketing my very own products. I would describe myself as creative, motivated, and perhaps a little impatient! My family means everything to me and I’m fortunate to have the most supportive husband and two amazing kids.

When I’m not working, you can find me watching reruns of The Big Bang Theory, taking family trips to Rehoboth Beach, or giving our dog well-deserved belly rubs.

With two little ones at home, one of my most recent accomplishments was finishing my morning coffee before it got cold. It took much determination and perseverance, but I never give up on my dreams.

MCA: Life is all about celebrating the little wins as much as the big ones! What was your path to becoming a writer like? What inspired you to write your PAWS and THINK! series?

Miranda: I’ve always had a passion for poetry! Whether it was school projects or making cards for family and friends, I’ve always incorporated poetry into my everyday life. To be honest, I never considered myself a writer and never imaged I’d be an award-winning author. Writing poems was simply a fun, creative outlet for me. However, that all changed one day when I shared some special poems with my husband that I wrote about our rescue dog, Weaver! After a few long walks around Baltimore City with our adorable new puppy, I was inspired to write PAWS and THINK!®

MCA: Dogs can be a great inspiration. What are some of the key lessons found in PAWS and THINK! Be A Good Sport?

Miranda: Be A Good Sport is not just about good sportsmanship, but about showing kindness, being supportive, and treating others the way that you want to be treated.

In this book, the game of fetch is just a metaphor for life. At any moment, life can quickly change. It’s important that children are aware that their attitude and behavior towards others can positively or negatively affect someone’s life.

Like I write in all of my books, “Life is funny and can change in a blink, so always remember to PAWS and THINK!” In the game of life, we should always be a good sport. We never know when we will be the one who needs support.

MCA: We meet a new character in this book. Can you tell us about the inspiration for this character?

Miranda: Weaver meets a new friend named Tucker who is a determined, kind, and supportive pug. This character is inspired by Weaver’s actual cousin! My Uncles, Robert and Rut, have an adorable pug named Tucker. I thought that Tucker would be the perfect addition to PAWS and THINK!® and be a great character to help Weaver learn another valuable lesson.

MCA: Can you remind us about your Charity of the Quarter program and tell us how it has grown over the years?

Miranda with her family and a check for her Charity of the Quarter program

Miranda: When I began my journey as an author, I knew that I wanted to use this platform to give back to my community. I created my Charity of the Quarter program where I donate a portion of the proceeds from each book sold to various non-profit organizations. In the past three years, I’ve partnered with thirteen charities and donated over $7,500 to date! As I grow PAWS and THINK!®, I plan to continue giving back to charities that support children and animals.

MCA: You are planning a Virtual Launch for this book next week, can you tell us more about this event?

Miranda: I’ll be hosting a Facebook LIVE virtual launch party on Tuesday, September 29th at 6:00 pm EST. We’ll have exciting giveaways and a reading of the new book! Expect Weaver to make an appearance and maybe even show off his favorite trick! We’ll be sure to have the treats handy. To RSVP, please visit our Facebook page and head to the Events tab: facebook.com/PAWS and THINK books Hope to see you there!

MCA: We can’t wait to tune in! Thanks for stopping by, It was great to catch up with you again! We’re sure we’ll be hearing more from you and the PAWS and THINK! Series soon!

You can learn more about Miranda Mittleman and her award-winning book, PAWS and THINK! Be A Good Sport by visiting her MCA Shop pages.